Circular Economy Examples: Revolutionaries Creating Change Now

This earth of ours only has a finite amount of resources. And our current systems are exhausting those resources fast, and in the process, they are damaging our environment. The current linear “take-make-waste” model of extracting materials from the earth, turning them into products, and then discarding them, is no longer viable. Our planet’s future depends on us shifting to a more sustainable model.

A circular economy is a system based on designing out waste and pollution. By mimicking natural restorative and regenerative systems, this model helps keep products and materials in use. There are many benefits of a circular economy model. There is less waste because we reuse materials over and over. Reusing the raw materials leads to less demand for virgin resources and reduces energy use, and lower pollution. Circular economy stories come in all shapes and sizes. Whether they are reducing waste by reusing surplus material, connecting people or businesses with materials, or providing innovative solutions like rental options. What these examples all have in common is they are embracing the concept of a circular economy. They are questioning the status quo and coming up with different ways of doing things. This innovation is coming from individuals, companies, cities, and governments. Across the world, people are coming up with solutions to our waste and pollution issues. Below we highlight 5 circular innovators that will help you start your circular journey today. You can be a part of the circular economy by supporting these companies.

Levi Strauss

Ubiquitous in the world of jeans, Levi’s are just one of the companies working to make jeans more sustainable. The average life of a pair of Levis is just over three years, and the majority end up in landfill at the end of their life. To solve this problem, Levi’s has been working on a process to make your old jeans into a new pair. Along with their partner RenewCell, they have succeeded in creating jeans with recycled content. Decreasing their energy and water use in the process. So the next pair of Levi’s that you buy might just have recycled content. Plus, when they wear out, you can send them back, and they will be made into a new pair all over again. Check them out: Levi Strauss

Method

Another circular economy example is Method. They make naturally-derived, nontoxic household cleaners and personal care products. Not only do they use ingredients that are good for you, but they use recycled plastic packaging too. Bottles made from bottles! Embracing the circular economy model through using what is already available. One of their bottles even has a blend of recovered ocean plastic along with post-consumer recycled plastic. Method chooses only to use plastics number 1 and number 2 to ensure their packaging is recyclable. And by providing refill pouches and concentrates, they save on energy and packaging too. Check them out: Method

Gerrard Street Headphones

E-waste is the fastest growing waste stream in the world, according to research by The Global E-waste Monitor. They predict by 2030, 74Mt of electronic waste will be generated worldwide every year. Gerrard Street have created their own solution to this problem. They sell headphone subscriptions. It’s a great way to provide consumers access to a product while retaining the responsibility. Their headphones are modular, enabling them to be repaired when something is no longer working. They replace the part for free and reuse the damaged parts, throwing nothing away. Check them out: Gerrard Street Headphones

Teemill

Teemill is addressing the impact of fast fashion through their real-time manufacturing. A process that cancels out overproduction, a major issue in the production of clothing. Also, they are recycling old t-shirts into new ones. You can send your worn-out clothing back to Teemill, and they will recycle it into a new product. They are designing waste by creating a product that can be recycled repeatedly and reducing waste by only making what is needed. There’s a lot more to learn about Teemill so be sure to take a look. Check them out: Teemill

More Circular Economy Examples

For more great examples of the circular economy in action, check out the following or head to our BRAND DIRECTORY. All of the companies that we write about are supporting the circular economy, whether they are an individual solving a problem or a large company creating change.

• WharfWarp takes old lobster ropes and transforms them into gorgeous mats, wreaths, pet leashes, and other products for your home. Keeping discarded fishing nets and ropes out of the ocean and in use. Find out more…

• Rothy’s makes comfortable shoes using recycled PET plastic, saving over 45 million single-use water bottles so far. They support a circular model by embracing waste reduction and reuse in their manufacturing processes and their partnership with Carbonfund.org. Find out more…

• Westpaw makes recycled dog toys using their own product called Zogoflex®. The toys can be infinitely recycled through their Join the Loop program available in the USA. Find out more…