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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

Impact on the quantity or quality of jobs, and shifts in the labour market

Jobs

Impact on the health and happiness of human populations

Well-being

Direct and indirect effects that increase revenues or the potential for new revenues, for example from new products, customer segments, partnerships or business models

Revenue Potential

Reduced green house gas emissions released into the biosphere

Reduce Emissions (SDG13)

Reduced use and withdrawal of water and rate of recycling and reuse of water

Save Water (SDG6)

Producing textile and leather products and processing them into apparel and accessories

Fashion and Textiles

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

Guidance, dialogue with industry stakeholders

Working together with industry peers to engage in business activities or exploratory projects that advance the circular economy

Joint industry ventures, projects, pilots

Participating in government programmes that support and advance the circular economy

Government programmes

Initiatives with disadvantaged communities, minorities, people distanced from the labour market

Give-back programmes

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. 

Bangladesh

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The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) is one of the largest trade associations in the country representing the readymade garment industry, particularly the woven garments, knitwear and sweater sub-sectors with equal importance. 

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) 

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA)&nbsp;is one of the largest trade associations in the country representing the readymade garment industry, particularly the woven garments, knitwear and sweater sub-sectors with equal importance.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA)  - supporting Bangladesh Ready Made Garments industry

Policy case

Efficiency gains on operations or transactions either through cultural or technological shifts

Productivity

Providing public and private education and support services at any level or for any profession, and governmental and public administration services, including judicial, regulatory, and legislative activities, taxation, defence, public order and safety, immigration services, foreign affairs and the administration of government programmes

Education and Government Services

Providing various support services for businesses and governments, such as research, testing, certification and consulting services, cleaning and maintenance services, security and protection services, legal, accounting and bookkeeping services, information management, data processing, and business process outsourcing services

Research & Commercial Services

Working together with stakeholders and parties in other unrelated industries to implement circular economy strategies and opportunities

Cross-industry projects, pilots

Engaging in discussions with government bodies and policymakers to push for regulations that support the circular economy

Advocacy for circular economy policy

Conduct research

Public-private partnerships

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

Policy Instruments

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

Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD) is the country’s pioneering public-private dialogue platform jointly promoted by the three leading chambers of the country, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), and Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

Established in 2011, BUILD is uniquely positioned to provide research-driven policy recommendations to the government on behalf of the private sector.

BUILD 

Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD) is the country’s pioneering public-private dialogue platform jointly promoted by the three leading chambers of the country, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), and Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI). Established in 2011, BUILD is uniquely positioned to provide research-driven policy recommendations to the government on behalf of the private sector. BUILD has seven thematic working committees, each with its own ability to implement recommendations since each is co-chaired by a private-sector leader and a high-up official from a relevant Ministry of the Government of Bangladesh (GoB).