Policy case

Work together throughout the supply chain, internally within organisations and with the public sector and communities to increase transparency and create joint value

Team up to create joint value

Engage with the government on circular policies and programmes

Government collaboration

Participating in government programmes that support and advance the circular economy

Government programmes

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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Germany

Freiburg

<p>In recent years, the city has shifted focus to waste prevention, reuse and repair, and engaging businesses and citizens to do their part for a circular transition in the city. Freiburg adopted its own 59 sustainability goals in 2017. Many of the 2030 targets relate to circularity, in particular; sustainable and fair public procurement, halving food waste, regional food supply, raising awareness for conscious consumption and behaviour patterns, reduced waste generation and reduction of CO2 emissions by 60%. A full list of Indicators on Sustainable Development in the city can be found in the biannual local sustainability reports and numerous SDG related measures are listed on the municipality’s website.</p>

Freiburg, a leader in resource efficiency and waste management 

Business case

<p>Some circular-construction projects are already underway. One mixed-used development in progress, called <a href="https://marckoehler.com/project/robin-wood-making-an-island-together/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Robin Wood</a>, is made with wood and recycled aluminum.</p>