The concept of a ‘Circular Economy’ is currently high on the political agenda. World business leaders, policy makers, academics and NGOs argue that a move towards a more circular economy is necessary in order to help solve global environmental and economic challenges. Further, the European Commission has committed to a revised and more ambitious strategy on circular economy before the end of 2015.
The necessity of a circular economy has been highlighted by many, but perhaps most convincingly by the Ellen McArthur Foundation. According to the foundation, the current linear economic model, which is largely based on a production and consumption pattern of “take-make-use-dispose”, has proven unsustainable and has many shortcomings, including a tendency toward shorter product lifespans and a tendency towards disposal rather than repair at the end of the first useful lifespan, even when reuse is possible. The linear model results in inefficient use of our scarce resources, increases harmful emissions and generates increasing amounts of waste from the whole value chain, including resource extraction, manufacturing, transportation and consumption.
The Ellen McArthur Foundation describes the circular economy as a system that is restorative or regenerative by intention and design that can be achieved by eliminating waste through the superior design of materials, products, systems, and, within this, business models. In addition to the much more efficient use of resources and thus reduction or even elimination of the negative consequences related to waste generation, the circular economy is also expected to create jobs.
The business case for a circular economy is compelling. Studies show that the global economy could benefit immensely from a more circular approach, embodied by material savings, emissions reductions and job creation. Many large companies in the Nordic countries are already taking ambitious and important steps towards more circular business models, while smaller and sometimes lesser-known companies are already making it happen. By presenting a range of different examples of Nordic businesses, which are making the circular economy happen, the following catalogue is intended to inspire and encourage businesses to make creative and innovative steps in the same direction.