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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

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

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

Material efficiency

Using materials that can be easily reused or recycled after use

Reusable, recyclable materials and inputs

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

Using open 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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        It does not affect the taste of the water or affect its properties, and also has a reduced impact on the environment: glass is a homogeneous and inert material, which makes it the perfect choice for the perfect preservation of food and drinks. This is precisely why Levico Waters chose it for its water.
Glass is transparent like water, and like Levico’s values. . An effective solution for the environment – in contrast with plastic – which presents a risk of contamination and takes several centuries to degrade. The returnable glass bottles, in particular, are reusable up to 30 times and 100% recyclable.
Those who drink Levico water have respect for the environment and their own health. Find out where to find us.            
   Water in returnable glass bottles, 
a resource for the environment. RETURNABLE GLASS BOTTLES   Discover               Levico has always bottled its light mineral water exclusively in glass bottles , – a high quality choice which is also environmentally friendly. In particular, we have embraced the returnable glass philosophy, a practice which is already widespread in many countries. 100% infinitely recyclable, these bottles can also be reused up to 30 times before being recycled due to use. Choosing glass wastes less resources and less energy, producing even less waste.
In fact, every year over 30 million tons of solid urban waste are produced in Italy. Over half is represented by packaging and a good part of this is from plastic bottles. The reasons are easily understood: plastic is lighter, cheaper and easier to throw away. But the disadvantages cannot be ignored: if released into the environment – the oceans in particular – it causes serious damage to the ecosystems because it can take up to 500 years before decomposing completely.
Using returnable glass bottles for the distribution of Levico water aims to guarantee a better future for our planet, in line with our values.           The convenient and elegant six-litre bottle basket for home use.      
           

         Levico water can be delivered directly to your door thanks to the home delivery service. Distributed in 1 litre glass bottles, it is available as natural, sparkling and lightly sparkling.
Why order for your home?
Enjoy the pleasure of drinking pure spring water without making the slightest effort. The door-to-door service delivers the case of Levico water directly to your home, then collects the empty returnable glass bottles.
What is the container-deposit legislation?
It is a form of recycling that allows the glass to be given a new lease of life. In other words, the used glass bottles should not be thrown away with your recycling, but are instead returned to the distributor. After collecting them from your home, the latter returns them to the company who carries out thorough cleaning cycles and then reuses them. . It is a virtuous practice which has already been adopted in numerous geographical areas, such as Germany and the Scandinavian countries, as well as in some areas of Italy – Trentino-Alto Adige taking the lead.
What are the benefits of using glass bottles?
– Healthier for the consumer
Glass bottles maintain the purity of the water unchanged over time, without contamination;
– More environmentally friendly
Glass, unlike plastic, is 100% recyclable. Another helping hand to safeguard our planet and its seas;
– More convenient
The glass bottles are in fact collected from your home by the distributor.
If we have convinced you, and you want to help the planet, immediately find the distributor closest to you.         

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Everlane is an American clothing retailer that sells primarily online. The organization is headquartered in San Francisco, California and also has stores in New York City, Boston, Los Angeles, Austin, and Palo Alto. The company was founded with the mission of selling clothing with transparent pricing.

Everlane

<p>Evrlane is a clothing company committed to eradicating plastics from its products and processes. This also means exploring alternatives to polybags in the supply chain.</p>