The world’s leading circular economy network
Our Network brings together business, innovators, universities, and thought leaders to build and...
Europe’s current, linear, growth model depends on finite resources, exposing countries to resource volatility, limited gains in productivity, and huge loss of value through waste.
Our 2015 report Growth Within identified that transition to a circular economycircular economyA systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. It is based on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature. in Europe could add €900 billion to GDP by 2030, increase household income by €3,000 a year, and halve CO2 emissions compared with current levels.
Businesses, governments, cities and academic institutions have begun to explore these opportunities, and are increasingly engaging in circular economy collaboration and innovation.
Today’s wasteful, linear economy is broken. Our research in Europe shows how shifting to a circular economy could bring new opportunities for innovation, growth and resilience.
European circular economy examples
De Clique
Repeat
MUD Jeans
Connecting businesses to make new products from urban organic waste streams
Using cycle couriers and electric vehicles, De Clique collects food by-products like coffee grounds, orange peels and other food waste from businesses.
Collected as pure waste streams, these by-products are then sold on by De Clique to third party innovators and product manufacturers, who transform them into new products like food ingredients, cosmetics, and biomaterials.
“We are working towards zero-waste cities in which all residual flows are reused.”
