Circular Economy

Transitioning to circular enterprises: the role of supply chain management

Good introductory article on the benefits of switching to a circular economy; includes examples of companies that have successfully made the transition. This article introduces the topic and provides guidance on how to begin the transition. 

YouTube video: Material security in a circular economy | Energy and competitiveness

A conversation with an executive from the World Resources Institute (WRI) that explores the critical role of the circular economy in the shift to renewable energy. 

YouTube video: Inside Redwood Materials: Exclusive Tour & Interview with JB Straubel

This video is a tour of the first large-scale battery recycling facility by the head of Munro Engineering, a guru on electric automotive design. It is also a logical continuation of the video “How Used EV Batteries Are Being Turned Into Data Centers To Power AI” in supporting the next step in the circularity philosophy. 

YouTube video: How Used EV Batteries Are Being Turned Into Data Centers To Power AI

Energy demand has skyrocketed amid the rise of AI.  In response, an innovator has developed a new solution: giving old EV batteries a second life, using EV batteries that still hold usable capacity for grid-scale energy storage. It has partnered with an AI infrastructure company to launch a unique microgrid. 

Exploring the Circular Economy Opportunity for Critical Minerals

The clean energy transition and the electrification of the global economy are expected to drive a fivefold or greater increase in demand for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, and rare earth elements by 2040 in some scenarios. A system-level redesign is needed to lower the exposure of whole value chains to the risks of material price volatility, supply disruptions, and supply-demand gaps. 

Ellen McArthur Foundation Impact Report Summary 2024

Detailed report on the progress being made from exploring and promoting the idea of circular economy to actually implementing these ideas and putting them into action.  Topics discussed include unlocking innovation, building momentum, and reaching scale towards achieving circular economies around the globe. These efforts are delivering real impact - reducing emissions, preventing waste, and keeping virgin materials in the ground. 

ISO 59020 - Circular Economy - Measuring and assessing circularity performance 

ISO 59020 sets forth requirements and guidance for organizations to measure and assess their circularity performance within defined economic systems. This document aims to standardize the process by which organizations collect and calculate data using mandatory and optional circularity indicators, ensuring consistent and verifiable results. Note that a fee is charged to download this standard.

ISO 59004 - Circular Economy - Vocabulary, principles, and guidance for implementation

This standard provides comprehensive guidance applicable to any type of organization. It includes defining key terms and concepts, outlining a vision for a circular economy, elucidating core principles, and offering practical guidance for actionable steps towards sustainability. Note that a fee is charged to download this standard.

ISO 59010 - Circular Economy - Guidance on the transition of business models and value networks 

ISO 59010 is designed to help the transition to sustainable business practices and a resilient global economy. ISO 59010 provides guidance for organizations wishing to transition their value creation models and networks from a linear to a circular framework. Note that a fee is charged to download this standard.

From ‘Circular Economy’ to ‘Circular Excuses’: Why We Need Net-Positive Systems

This article explores the reasons why many circular supply chain efforts are not reducing GHGs, pollution, or waste. In particular, the article addresses UN Sustainable Development Goal no. 12 which calls for responsible consumption and production, on how we are merely "covering up the symptoms" rather than addressing the underlying problems.

Improving Climate Emissions Accounting to Accelerate the Circular Economy Transition

Despite the circular economy being crucial in addressing approximately half of global GHG emissions, businesses are unable to capture its full potential as current guidance for emissions reporting unintentionally discourages many circular activities. This paper is intended for businesses, investors, policymakers, industry associations, and sustainability professionals concerned with accurate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accounting. It proposes revisions to the GHG Protocol’s methodology so it better reflects business activity aligned with the transition to a circular economy.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Website of a leading thought-leader on the Circular Economy journey, best described as a "network of resources." Contains strong educational content including: Courseware, Podcasts, Webinars, Circular Startup Index, Resources for Policymakers, Teaching recourses, Network Collaboration-F1000, and more.

YouTube video:  Circular Economy: Definition and Examples

Introductory video explaining the principles of circular economy. The author describes all the things we can do to go from our current economy to a circular economy using many common examples.

Building a Circular Supply Chain

This paper highlights the fundamental contribution that supply chain professionals can make to the transition to a circular economy. It aims to provide a general understanding of how the circular economy and supply chain management fields are related to one another. The paper also provides initial recommendations for and examples of companies overcoming some of these challenges. This paper has been developed in collaboration with the Circular Supply Chain Network and the Association of Supply Chain Management (ASCM).

Building a Circular Supply Chain Fact Sheet

Supply chain disruptions and environmental pressures are showing that a supply chain reconfiguration is urgently needed. Supply chain leaders are fundamental in the circular economy transition as they are responsible for the sourcing, movement, and transformation of the 100 billion tonnes of materials that enter the global economy each year.

Planned Obsolescence: An Unsustainable Business Model

Planned Obsolescence involves designing products to quickly break or become obsolete in the short to mid-term, with the general goal of encouraging sales of new products and upgrades. This business model thrives on consumer dissatisfaction and the constant need for newer, shinier products. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Butterfly Diagram of the Circular Economy is cited.

Circulytics: Measuring circular economy performance

Circulytics is a framework of indicators for tracking circular economy performance. It allows companies to highlight successes in their transition, and identify where to focus efforts for improvement in line with the three principles of a circular economy, all driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials, and regenerate nature.  Note: There are eight distinct documents at the bottom of the hyperlinked URL.

Youtube video:  How Scrappers Cash In On Gold From Your Old Computer

One ton of circuit boards contains about 100 times more gold than a ton of ore mined from the ground. Microbes are used to recover precious metals from electronics. In a single day, up to $85,000 of gold is salvaged. 

Youtube video:  The world's first process for making zero emissions cement

Concrete is the second most-used substance on Earth, after water, and it's responsible for 7.5% of total carbon emissions – triple that of aviation.  Decarbonising cement – the carbon-hungry component of concrete – is a massive challenge. But Cambridge researchers have come up with a solution.