Reviews:

“As the world adopts strategies to address the stress that the planet is under, more organizations are realizing that their knowledge and skills need updating and developing. A key aspect of this new sustainable approach is understanding where stuff comes from, how a business uses it and what happens to stuff after its first life. This is where the circular economy comes in and this book provides a range of knowledge inputs, across a number of key sectors and uses business examples which allow any organization to develop new pathways forwards.”

—Dr. David Peck, Associate Professor, Circular Built Environment and Critical Materials, Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), The Netherlands

“This is a book for everyone in business, or who wants to shape the future of business. The circular economy is the best toolkit we have for future sustainable business and this book leads you through what it is and why so many businesses and governments are getting on board.”

—Tom Szaky, Founder & CEO, TerraCycle

“A very good guide, avoiding jargon and bringing concepts to life with clear explanations and concrete examples. It covers everything you need to know about ‘going circular’ but also goes further, reviewing criticisms and setting the bar higher.”

—Stephan Sicars, Managing Director, Directorate of Environment and Energy, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

“Catherine provides rich insight into the business opportunity of the circular economy. The Circular Economy Handbook covers various company cases and frameworks which are of great practical value to those looking for inspiration. It is a great resource for organisations aiming to close the ‘idea-action gap’ to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy!”

—Dr Nancy Bocken, Professor in Sustainable Business, Maastricht Sustainability Institute, School of Business and Economics, Maastricht University

“When considering the change of gear from a linear to a circular economy, and the need to accelerate this transition, then this handbook delivers on all levels. A well-versed specialist, Catherine describes the themes, measurements and outcomes in a non-technical manner shining a light and giving practical guidance to implementing this change.”

—Steve Haskew, Strategic Sustainability Executive, Circular Computing

“Every business leader and University should include this book in their programme for the next generation of aspiring professionals. In this latest edition, Catherine provides even more case studies in the constantly evolving landscape of circular economy developments around the world. A clear and comprehensive ‘must-read’ for any seasoned or aspiring circular economy or supply chain professional. From electronics to food to fashion, Catherine has considered a wide range of how CE frameworks have been engaged across sectors so in whatever industry your organisation resides, there are key takeaways and learnings to help any business transition towards a more circular world. Highly recommended!”

—Noreen Kam, Founder & CEO, LUP Global

“The circular economy is smart, strategic thinking for profitable and purpose-led business. This book presents a catalogue of practical frameworks and inspiring examples for organizations of all sizes and shapes, in every sector, around the world.”

—Anna Tari, Founder, Circular Economy Club (CEC)

“Ensuring that the transition to a new economic model takes place under the best possible conditions is no easy task. Thanks to Catherine Weetman and her contributors, this book once again solidifies the foundations and reinforces the credibility of a circular economy helping us to move towards this paradigm shift that we all wish for. This is now your tool to change everything for the better. Use and reuse it, then pass on to others!”

—Alexandre Lemille, The Circular Humansphere

“A perfect mix of theory and practical arguments to convince the reader that our future is circular. We must think differently, create new business rules, values and attitudes. With an outstanding compilation of cases, Catherine demonstrates how to find the right balance between growth, competitive advantage and value creation for all. Essential reading for political and businesses leaders, in countries like Brazil, that seek knowledge and inspiration to accelerate the transition.”

—Beatriz Luz, Founder of Exchange 4 Change Brasil, NEC and Visiting Professor at FIA

“I truly believe that awakening a taste for change - and making it happen - requires a good understanding of the circular economy while being already immersed in its practicality. It is precisely what this unique handbook does, thanks to its collection of content, its structure, and its perspective. Indeed, it provides a wealth of information gathered in one place: a straightforward way to learn fast and get inspired for your circular initiatives. It demonstrates many existing cases and strategies you might apply. You can peruse it in one go, choose a piece of a chapter that applies to your case or read it back and forth. The icing on the cake for this second version? The added chapter about packaging gives an easy-to-follow overview of this complex problem! Expert without falling into jargon, Catherine Weetman makes the Circular Economy attractive to anyone!”

—Colienne Regout, CEO, Look4Loops, Canada

“Making the shift towards a circular economy model can be a huge challenge. Catherine’s book is useful to what’s needed most in this day and age: getting into action and shifting the existing paradigm. The book offers a range of insights and tools to help you make that shift, and deliver value along the way. Have fun, use it and join, please, our global community of change makers.”

—Harald Friedl, Global Advisor, Systems Change and Circular Economy

Description:

WINNER: 2018 Les Plumes des Achats & Supply Chain - The Committee Special Prize

As we learn more about the climate and biodiversity crisis, it is clear that how we make and consume things is a major part of the problem. Extraction and processing of materials, fuels and food makes up about half of global greenhouse gas emissions and over 90% of biodiversity loss and water stress. Many modern businesses deplete resources, destroy ecosystems and dump waste and pollution at every stage - harming human health along the way.

Governments, businesses and think-tanks see the circular economy as the way forward. Now in its second edition, A Circular Economy Handbook is a guided tour through the concepts and the practicalities. A unique framework systematically explores the range of circular interventions, including product and supply chain design, material choice and supporting business models.

How does it really work for business? What circular approaches are emerging in food, fashion, consumer technology, packaging and other sectors? How do these reduce risk, improve resilience and build profitable, future-fit organizations? With over 300 real examples from around the world, this is a must-read for businesses, students and policymakers. This new edition has been extensively updated to include the latest trends, thinking, research and solutions, with a new chapter on packaging and 30 new company snapshots.

Key features at a glance:

• Provides guidance on how to move away from the ‘take, make, dispose’ approach towards a circular economy model that regenerates goods into new products
• Explains how to create value instead of waste at every stage in the supply cycle, with real examples and case studies covering ecodesign, food waste apps, industrial manufacturing and key legislation changes affecting circular economies
• New to this edition: circular economy framework 2.0, ecodesign, food & agriculture, recycled fabrics in fashion logistics, new chapter on packaging and examples from Africa, India and other developing countries

Contents:

List of figures and tables

List of case studies and snapshots – by sector and company name

About the author

About the contributors

Acknowledgements

Introduction • The second edition • Global trends signalling a new direction •  How is the circular economy better? • The book structure

Part One: An overview of the circular economy

Chapter 01. The circular economy • What is it? • Background • Evolution of the concept: architects, scientists and sailors • Other supporting approaches • Scaling it up: countries, consultancies and companies • The circular economy: a generic framework • Summary • Further resources • Notes

Chapter 02. The design and supply chain • Circular economy loops • Terminology • The design and supply chain • Rethinking supply chains • Summary • Further resources • Notes

Chapter 03. Circular business models • Why are business models important? • Circular business models – schools of thought • Circular business models – goals • Providers – private, public and peer-to-peer • Commercial options • Criticisms and issues • Summary • Further resources • Notes

Chapter 04. Enablers and accelerators • Enablers: thinking differently • Enablers: technology • Enablers: new materials • Accelerators • Summary • Further resources • Notes

Part Two: How are businesses adopting circular economy models?

Chapter 05. Drivers for change • Our industrial economy • Welcome to the Anthropocene • Risk and uncertainty • Global trends and drivers • From challenges to opportunities • Further resources • Notes

Chapter 06. Food and agriculture • Background and global trends • Issues • Circular economy developments • Coffee sub-sector • Summary • Further resources • Notes

Chapter 07. Fashion and textiles • Background and global trends • Issues • Circular economy developments • Summary • Further resources • Notes

Chapter 08. Consumer electricals and electronics • Background • Business models and consumption • Circular economy developments • Summary • Further resources • Notes

Chapter 09. Industrial manufacturing • Issues • Circular economy developments • Summary • Further resources • Notes

Chapter 10. Packaging and plastics • Evolution and global trends • Purpose and design aims • Issues • Circular economy developments • Summary • Further resources • Notes

Part Three: What does this mean for supply chains?

Chapter 11. Supply chain strategy and planning • Global drivers and megatrends • Traditional supply chains • Supply chains for a circular economy • Delivering access and performance • Supply chain planning • Product life-cycle management • Summary • Further resources • Notes

Chapter 12. Supply chain operations: Sourcing and procurement, manufacturing, distribution and reverse logistics • Background and issues • Supply chains for the circular economy – upstream • Supply chains for the circular economy – midstream • Supply chains for the circular economy – downstream • Enablers • Accelerators • Value opportunities • Summary • Further resources • Notes

Part Four: Implementation

Chapter 13. Making the business case and starting the journey • Trends and drivers • The business case • Setting the strategic direction • Risks and opportunities • Overcoming barriers • Beginning the journey • Toolkits and resources • Measurement and assessment tools • Summary • Further resources • Notes

Glossary

Index

About the Author:

Catherine Weetman helps businesses develop ‘future proofed’, resilient strategies, assessing sustainability risks and value opportunities, majoring on the circular economy. She is a Visiting Fellow at the University of Huddersfield, UK, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transportation, UK and Vice-Chair of its Environment and Sustainability Forum.

Catherine Weetman’s background includes industrial engineering in manufacturing and retail distribution, logistics solution design, project management, business intelligence, logistics product development and supply chain consulting. Her career covers food, fashion and logistics, including Tesco Distribution, Kellogg Company and DHL Supply Chain. She has specialist knowledge of sustainable business models, supply chain design and risk, inventory management and demand forecasting.

Catherine Weetman founded Re-think Solutions to ‘make sense of sustainability’ for businesses, exploring business risks and value opportunities. She helps organisations to evaluate emerging, sustainable business models, such as the circular economy, product-service systems, and the sharing economy, and then to redesign business strategy and the supply chain. Catherine has an MSc in Logistics and Distribution from Cranfield University. She has won a number of awards including the Director’s Prize for Outstanding Achievement at Cranfield Centre for Logistics and Transportation, and the British Clothing Industries Association Business Fellowship Award.

Target Audience:

A must read for businesses, students, policymakers, any seasoned or aspiring circular economy or supply chain professional.