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This collection features a selection of inspiring examples of the circular economy, compiled in the context of the Switch to Circular Economy Value Chains programme (SWITCH).

Launched in 2020, SWITCH is a five-year initiative that assists EU multinational companies and their suppliers from developing countries to switch to more circular economy approaches and practices in three selected value chains: [Plastic Packaging](https://knowledge-hub.circle-lab.com/switchtocircular/search?collections=832%3D0&framework_elements__5=111), [Textile & Garments](https://knowledge-hub.circle-lab.com/switchtocircular/search?collections=832%3D0&framework_elements__5=99), and ICT and Electronics.

The overall objective of SWITCH is to support the “transformation towards a circular economy”, and to contribute to sustainable growth, low carbon and climate resilient development, decent jobs creation, and a safer, healthier and pollution-free environment.

SWITCH is co-funded by the European Union and the Government of Finland, and implemented by UNIDO, in collaboration with Chatham House, Circle Economy, and the European Investment Bank.
Learn more at www.switchtocircular.eu

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Switch to Circular Economy Value Chains

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Business case

Direct and indirect reduction in economic costs

Cost Savings

Reduced use of virgin materials and/or an increase of the use of secondary and bio-based materials

Reduce Material Consumption (SDG12)

Minimise waste through diversion: Instead of sending waste to landfill, it is redirected into other industrial processes for handling, treatment, recycling, recovery, or reuse in various forms. 

Minimise waste through design: At the outset of a process of project, plan and design such that there is zero waste or minimal waste during production, use, and at end of life. 

Minimise Waste (SDG12)

Producing basic and specialty chemicals, inks, agricultural chemical such as fertilisers and pesticides, plastics including packaging, and rubber

Chemical and Plastic

Enacting measures that optimise material use such as 3D printing, etc.

Material efficiency

Transforming waste products, materials for reuse within the same industry

Closed loop upcycling

Using waste materials that have been processed and recycled to produce new products within the same industry

Using closed loop recycled materials

Impacts

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Industries

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The principles of a circular economy concern designing out waste, regenerating ecosystems and keeping items in use. Decoupling the economy from material flows—improving the rate of resource productivity faster than the economic growth rate—is also a consistent guide. By evolving with the growing number of applications of circular economy principles, and consolidating these strategies across thematic areas, Circle Economy’s Key Elements Framework (KE) renders the elements of the circular economy salient and serves as a basis to derive contextual strategies and interventions. 


The Framework consists of:
- Core Elements: Activities directly handling product or material flows; and uniquely,
- Enabling Elements: those that remove obstacles for core actors.


Key elements of the circular economy

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Circle Economy's framework of strategies and activities that define the circular economy

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Based on the work of [Bocken et al. (2016)](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309699661_Product_design_and_business_model_strategies_for_a_circular_economy), the Four Flows Framework serves as a simple framework for managing resource flows in a circular economy by using less (Narrow), using for longer (Slow), using again (Cycle), and using clean, regenerative materials and energy (Regenerate).

These different principles of circular economy can be applied to our socioeconomic metabolism: we can design stocks like buildings, infrastructure, machinery, and vehicles to be rich resource mines for the future, and design manufactured goods and consumables to be cycled and made regenerative. Furthermore, the focus must also centre on getting more value out of fewer materials. Achieving the aims of a circular economy—minimising material use, regenerating the Earth, and preventing material losses—can be done through these four key strategies mentioned above.

Source: Circle Economy. (2023). *[The circularity gap report 2023](https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023)* (p.22). Amsterdam: Circle Economy. 

Four Flows Framework

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 Nestlé Ghana LTD., the Good Food Good Life Company has organized a workshop on Hygiene,  Health, and Wellness for 60 plastic waste pickers and collectors in Accra. The gesture, according to Nestlé, is to ensure that the waste pickers are abreast with practical knowledge to keep them well and safe as they work together to contribute to rid Ghanaian communities of plastics. Speaking at the workshop, Margaret-Mary Tohouenou, Regulatory and Scientific Affairs Manager at Nestlé said “the workshop was designed to highlight the risk associated with plastic waste collection and need to do their work in a safe manner especially, during the covid-19 pandemic. She empasized that applying precautionary measures to stay safe at all times while collecting plastics within various communities in Ghana is critical to their work”. Elvis Oppong, President of the Pure Water Waste Collectors Association expressed gratitude to Nestlé for continuously supporting them and enabling them to improve their collection rates in communities. Nestlé Ghana signed a partenership agreement with the Pure Water Waste Collectors Association with oversight of the Ministry of Environment Science Technology and Innovation. Since inception of the partnership in October 2019, Nestle Ghana has donated 20 tricycles and helments, 2,000 waste picking tools, 1,500 pairs of gloves and 1,220 nose masks to the Association. These have  enabled the collection of 859 tons of plastic waste for recycling. The partnership between Nestlé and the Pure Water Waste Collectors Association contributes to the overall purpose of the Ghana Recycling Initiative by Private Enterprises (GRIPE) of which Nestlé is a founding member in Ghana. By 2025, Nestlé envisions to have all of its packaging 100% recyclable or reusable. 

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Hymopack, A Division of ProAmpac, is a leading North American manufacturer of plastic shopping bags and can liners.

It’s mission is to deliver first class, quality and service at competitive prices. Hymopack serves large grocery chains, department stores, big box retailers, convenience stores, home improvement stores, quick service restrauants, distributors and end users in the janitorial and sanitation sectors.

Hymopack

EREMA's innovative systems make plastics recycling extremely efficient and permanently profitable.

The opportunities for plastics recycling are growing fast. That is where our systems are always one step ahead. We develop solutions for our customers by building ingenious, reliable machines and components, while continuously researching new technologies, to conserve resources and close loops. For us, profitable processing, maximum efficiency and sustainable materials management are inseparable.

Erema

<p>HymoPack is a leading North American manufacturer of many types of plastic shopping bags including t-shirt bags (known for the shape of the bag). The company was able to cut cost by recycling in house post industrial plastic waste generated from the manufacturing process with EREMA plastic recycling machinery. </p>