large_switch logo.png

medium_switch logo.png

small_switch logo.png

thumbnail_switch logo.png

switch logo.png

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

![Switch_logo_2022_with_space-01 (1).png](https://goldilocks-images.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/Switch_logo_2022_with_space_01_1_c270c8218c.png)





medium_switch_logo_circle-01.jpg

small_switch_logo_circle-01.jpg

thumbnail_switch_logo_circle-01.jpg

switch_logo_circle-01.jpg

Switch to Circular Economy Value Chains

large_SWITCH KH cover image.jpg

medium_SWITCH KH cover image.jpg

small_SWITCH KH cover image.jpg

thumbnail_SWITCH KH cover image.jpg

SWITCH KH cover image.jpg

Business case

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 textile and leather products and processing them into apparel and accessories

Fashion and Textiles

Using bio-based materials such as bioplastics, mushroom-based materials, etc.

Alternative bio-based materials and inputs

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

Material efficiency

Using waste materials that have been processed and recycled to produce new products within other industries

Using open loop recycled materials

Engaging in discussions with industry stakeholders to share circular economy best practices and push the industry towards greater circularity

Guidance, dialogue with industry stakeholders

Data, knowledge & information sharing

Impacts

small_climate-4803653_640.jpg

thumbnail_climate-4803653_640.jpg

climate-4803653_640.jpg

Industries

small_coast-wind-turbine-sea-sky.jpg

thumbnail_coast-wind-turbine-sea-sky.jpg

coast-wind-turbine-sea-sky.jpg

A framework of policy instruments that enabled and encourage the transition to the circular economy

Policy Instruments

medium_image-20160922-22514-1aqaw5j.jpg

small_image-20160922-22514-1aqaw5j.jpg

thumbnail_image-20160922-22514-1aqaw5j.jpg

image-20160922-22514-1aqaw5j.jpg

A framework of policy instruments that enable and stimulate the transition to the circular economy

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

large_photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

medium_photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

small_photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

thumbnail_photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

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

![Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png](https://goldilocks-images.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2024_10_21_at_16_53_12_12858da6aa.png)

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

medium_Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png

small_Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png

thumbnail_Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png

Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png

 The public DNV standard provides a best practice to certify the source and authenticity (Chain of Custody) of abandoned plastic and build trust in new products made from reclaimed plastic.  The problem of plastic garbage in our hydrosphere (oceans, rivers and lakes) is massive. Solving it requires ground-breaking technologies, significant efforts and resources. Moreover, extracting the plastic from oceans and rivers is only the first step in addressing one of the biggest threats to our world’s waters. There are currently trillions of pieces of plastic in our oceans with an estimated 8 million pieces added every day. Success hinges on the ability to extract more plastic at a greater scale and higher speed.The standardDNV’s Chain of Custody Standard for Plastics Retrieved in the Hydrosphere sets forth requirements to assure the traceability and integrity of reclaimed plastic from any body of water. The product certification provides proof of compliance. Organizations can share with confidence the source of the material and that it has not been mixed with any other components after extraction from a specific location.The standard covers three main components:Material integrity: Material gathered from the specified body of water has not been mixed with material from other sources before being manufactured into a new product.Traceability: Location, integrity, mass and use of the plastic is made traceable from water to shore and as part of a new product.Systemic approach: Management system in place that enables full traceability of material characteristics along the supply chain.The standard has been developed in partnership with The Ocean Cleanup, who has been the first to apply it and seek certification for its reclaimed plastic from The Great Pacific Garbage Patch. However, the standard is public and can be followed by any organization retrieving plastic from the hydrosphere, i.e. oceans, rivers or lakes.BenefitsProvide proof of your plastic’s source and authenticity (material integrity) certified by an independent party.Differentiate your reclaimed plastic from that of less serious players.Allow anyone to trace the plastic back to its extraction site and view its onward journey.Create a level of transparency that enables customers to trust that their purchases really help make an ocean, river or lake cleaner from plastic waste.How to get certified?When an organization has implemented the appropriate processes to meet the standard’s criteria and agreed scope for its extracted plastic, DNV as an independent third party can certify the plastic. This product certification provides proof that the reclaimed plastic comes from the specific body of water indicated, has not been mixed with other materials, and is the actual material used in a new product, if this is its final purpose.To trace the plastic’s source and assure material integrity, the scope covers the entire value chain and life cycle:Harvest and ExtractionTransport and SortingRecycling and TestingManufacturing and ShippingBased upon the location and value chain complexity, DNV auditors will mix physical audits, visual inspection and digital tools to collect the data needed to certify the traceability and authenticity of the reclaimed plastic.Photo: The Ocean Cleanup 

 The plastic turned sunglasses made from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch has been certified by DNV GL so buyers can be certain of both origin and authenticity.    The certification of the sunglass frames has been done to requirements in the chain of custody standard for plastics retrieved from the hydrosphere. This is a public standard that can be used by any organization to certify the traceability and material integrity of plastic reclaimed from oceans, rivers and lakes.“Extracting plastic is only the first step in addressing a serious threat to our oceans and rivers. Turning trash into treasures is critical to fund further cleanup. With trillions of pieces of plastic in our oceans, a dramatic scaling of extraction is needed. Certification builds trust into the authenticity of the reclaimed plastic and new products made from it,” says Luca Crisciotti, CEO of DNV GL-Business Assurance.Third party certification to the standard helps organizations prove to customers the source of the material and that it has not been mixed with any other components after extraction before manufactured into a new product. And that the overall weight of the plastic captures remains somewhat constant. It also ensures that that the plastic can be traced all the way back to the location where it was extracted. Companies who want to be certified, must first implement processes and system to meet the requirements of the standard.Extracting the necessary amounts of plastic requires ground-breaking technologies, significant efforts and resources. For customers who want to contribute and buy products made with reclaimed plastic, certification by an independent third party assures them that the product is in fact authentic.“We started working with the Ocean Cleanup almost two years ago to build a thorough understanding of the process and need before designing the standard. For everything to come full circle and finally see the garbage turn into a pair of sunglasses made from certified reclaimed plastic is extremely rewarding,” says Luca Crisciotti.Photo: The Ocean Cleanup 

large_blob

medium_blob

small_blob

thumbnail_blob

blob

We inspire you to chase adventure, stay active in your own unique way, and always look good doing it. We strive to responsibly outfit those journeys with respect for the planet and its people. We commit to education and exploration in the name of progress, so we can all create positive change.

prAna

<p>prAna reinvented the way it package and ship clothing back in 2010, and since then, they’ve used roll packing, recyclable raffia ties, and other sustainable methods to reduce plastic and paper waste.</p>