A circular economy is an economic system aimed at eliminating waste where resources are kept in use for as long as possible, such as by reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products. It involves closing resource loops to keep materials and components circulating in the economy. Key elements include using renewable energy sources, designing out waste, and thinking systemically about how different elements interact and influence each other. The goal is to create a sustainable system that provides benefits for both the environment and the economy.

1. Circular Economy
CYRCLE Project

2. 2
“A circular economy is an economic system of closed loops in which raw
materials, components and products lose their value as little as possible,
renewable energy sources are used and systems thinking is at the core”
Definitions often focus on the use of raw materials or on system change.
Definitions that focus on resource use often follow the 3-R approach:
• Reduce (minimum use of raw materials)
• Reuse (maximum reuse of products and components)
• Recycle (high quality reuse of raw materials)

3. 3
definitions that focus on system change often emphasize
three elements:
• Closed cycles
• Renewable energy
• Systems thinking
“A circular economy is fundamentally
different from a linear economy.
In a linear economy we mine raw
materials that we process into a
product that is thrown away after use.
In a circular economy, we close the
cycles of all these raw materials.
Closing these cycles requires much
more than just recycling”

4. 4
Closed cycles
Material cycles are closed following the
example of an ecosystem. There is no such
thing as waste, because every residual stream
can be used to make a new product
Renewable energy
The circular economic system is fed by
renewable energy sources
Every actor in the economy (company, person,
organism) is connected to other actors.
Together, this forms a network in which the
actions of one player influence other players
System thinking

5. 5

6. 6
From eco-efficiency to eco-effectiveness
When working on
sustainability within a
linear economy, the focus
is on eco-efficiency. This is
to minimise the ecological
impact for the same
output. This will extend the
period in which the system
becomes overloaded.
Within a circular economy,
sustainability is sought in
increasing the eco-
effectiveness of the system.
This means that not only the
ecological impact is minimized,
but that the ecological,
economic and social impact is
even positive.

7. 7

8. 8
How does circularity relate to sustainability
Regenerative design
Performance Economy
Cradle-to-cradle
Industrial Ecology
Biomimicry
Green Economy
Blue Economy
Bio-based Economy
Donut Economy
Sustainable Development Goals

9. 9
THE 7
PILLARS OF
CIRCULAR
ECONOMY
1. Materials are cycled at continuous high value
2. All energy is based on renewable sources
3. Biodiversity is supported and enhanced through
human activity
4. Human society and culture are preserved
5. The health and wellbeing of humans and other
species are structurally supported
6. Human activities maximize generation of societal
value
7. Water resources are extracted and cycled
sustainably

10. 10
THE 7
PILLARS OF
CIRCULAR
ECONOMY