Published on
Circular economy explained

Our curated collections of case studies present circular economy success stories from around the world, showing how businesses, governments and cities are transforming our economy into one that works for people and the environment.

Get inspired by new circular economy business models, policies and strategies that demonstrate how we can fundamentally change the way we design, make and use the things we need.

Case studies by topic

Colourful dots on a grey background.
Collection

Biodiversity case studies

Examples illustrating how the circular economy can benefit biodiversity.

  • Biodiversity
red background with blueprint diagram
Collection

Built environment case studies

Examples of circular economy in the built environment

  • Built environment
abstract image
Collection

Business case studies

Examples of circular economy in business practices.

Abstract wavy image in yellow and green
Collection

Circular design case studies

Examples of the circular economy in design.

  • Design
Photo of building with green background
Collection

Cities case studies

Examples of circular economy in cities.

  • Cities
cloud on pink background
Collection

Climate case studies

Examples of how the circular economy can help the climate.

Clothes hanged up on a rail
Collection

Fashion case studies

Examples of circular economy in the fashion industry.

  • Fashion
Abstract image of yellow buildings on purple background
Collection

Finance case studies

Examples of the circular economy in the financial sector.

  • Finance
Abstract image of building
Collection

Government and policy case studies

Examples of circular economy in policies.

  • Policy
cutlery on orange background
Collection

Food case studies

Examples of circular economy in the food industry.

  • Food
plastic bottle on blue background
Collection

Plastics case studies

Examples of circular economy in the plastics industry.

  • Plastics

Case study collections

Map of Europe
Collection

Building Prosperity: Strategies in action

These case studies come from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's report, Building Prosperity.

Abstract image of coloured circles
Collection

Multinational companies

Examples of some of the world’s largest companies that have started to embrace the circular economy.

Lightbulbs
Collection

Great ideas

Examples of products and services with the circular economy in their DNA.

African landscape
Collection

Case studies in Africa

Examples of circular economy in Africa.

Asia landscape
Collection

Case studies in Asia

Examples of circular economy in Asia.

Mountains in china
Collection

Case studies in China

Examples of circular economy in China.

Architecture
Collection

Case studies in Europe

Examples of circular economy in Europe.

Latin American landscape
Collection

Case studies in Latin America

Examples of circular economy in Latin America.

City landscape
Collection

Case studies in North America

Examples of circular economy in North America.

tile image
Collection

Case studies in Oceania

Examples of circular economy in Oceania.

agriculture

View all of our case studies

Explore our full library of case studies to discover more examples of the circular economy in action.

View all case studies
  • Circular economy explained