Article / Report

Derive chemicals and fuels from organic waste matter, for example, wasted fats, grease and oils can be used for biodiesel production. Food waste such as corn starch and sugar cane can be used for PLA (Polylactic Acid) to replace plastic packaging, liquid fats and solid meat products can be used as raw materials in the rendering industry (animal food, cosmetics, soap, etc.).


Derive fuel and materials

Transforming waste products, materials for reuse within other industries

Open loop upcycling

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)

Providing electricity and gas services, including traditional and renewable energy generation, natural and manufactured gas and operating gas networks

Energy Utilities and Independent Power Producers

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

Cross-industry projects, pilots

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

Reduce Material Consumption (SDG12)

Transforming waste products, materials for reuse within the same industry

Closed loop upcycling

Generating energy from waste through processes such as anaerobic digestion, gasification, incineration, etc.

Generating energy from waste

Reduced green house gas emissions released into the biosphere

Reduce Emissions (SDG13)

Providing water and sewage services, including water collection and distribution, water treatment systems and sewage treatment facilities

Water and Sewage

Wastewater (blackwater and water from industrial processes) can be treated and reclaimed for agricultural and industrial purposes. Moreover, depending on economic factors, wastewater treatments can be adopted for supplying domestic freshwater. 

Use wastewater

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

Urban Opportunities

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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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International Water Association

International Water Association (IWA)

<p>In a newly published framework from the IWA: Water Utility Pathways in a Circular Economy, transitionary pathways for utilities are described, that position them as engines for sustainable growth. The framework presents three interrelated pathways – water, materials and energy – that aim to help utilities identify integration points within systems that enable their transition to the circular economy. Examples from the framework include energy production at the water distribution network, and recovery of fertilisers or bio-plastics from wastewater.</p>

Water Utility Pathways in a Circular Economy

Measures to drain accumulating rainwater from rooftops, roads or other public surfaces and channel it into containers for multipurpose use. These include watering plants and crops, as an input into manufacturing processes, the establishment of public water features, or the introduction back into plumbing systems, Uses may include the application of filtration and treatment systems when needed. 

Manage rainwater

Greywater is drained water from bathing, laundering, washing dishes etc. and excludes sewage (black water). Greywater can be reused most commonly for irrigation and toilet flushing if the appropriate system to capture and distribute it is in place. To extend usage possibilities, filtration and treatment systems may be introduced. 

Use greywater

Other

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

Save Water (SDG6)

Replacing freshwater use with rainwater, fogwater, seawater, etc.

Alternative water use

       The International Water Association           Water underpins every aspect of human and environmental existence. The severe water challenges facing the world today require an unprecedented global response. IWA members are situated in 140 countries worldwide, forming the largest international network of water professionals working towards a water wise world.
Innovative, solutions- and service- oriented, we work across a range of areas that contribute to the progression of water management worldwide. Transformation cannot take place on its own in a vacuum. Rather the ideas for solutions to these challenges will be fomented and rigorously debated among the IWA’s institutions and membership.
The International Water Association is an open, yet ordered platform in which both innovators and adopters of new technologies and approaches can generate creative friction. It is a place for diffusion, benchmarking and evidence.
Our programmes develop research and projects focused on solutions for water and wastewater management; we organise world-class events that bring the latest science, technology and best practice to the water sector at large; we work to place water on the global political agenda and to influence best practice in regulation and policy making; and we do this via the IWA’s global membership.
Learn more about the IWA Strategic Plan 2019-2024 (available for download in English, French, Chinese, Spanish, and Portuguese) to understand how we will achieve a stronger culture of service, and a unique value proposition  for our members through:

Professional Development programs
Leadership Development, inside and outside the association
Agenda setting programmatic work to generate pride in our membership
Global networking opportunities for members to connect with people and ideas.
 .                     IWA
Alliance House
12 Caxton Street
London SW1H 0QS
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 207 654 5500
Fax: +44 207 654 5555 Email: water@iwahq.org     IWA Global Office
Leeghwaterplein 45
2521 DB Den Haag
The Netherlands
Phone: +31 703 150 792 IWA Global Office
Technology Innovation Center
No. 1 Xiankun Road
Jianye District
Nanjing 210019
China
Phone: +86 (0) 25 8222 6217       IWA India
Ashtalakshmi Apartments
Flat No.8, No.12/67, Teachers Colony, Adyar
Chennai, 600020
Tamil Nadu
India
Phone: +91 637 473 89 31               Our Vision Towards a world in which water is wisely managed to satisfy the needs of human activities  and ecosystems in an equitable and sustainable way.                     Our Mission  To inspire change and service IWA members, the community of professionals concerned with water, external organisation and opinion leaders in being the international reference and global source of knowledge, experience and leadership for sustainable urban and basin-related water solutions.             Our Strategy  Connecting People: We bring people of the highest caliber together to share knowledge, experience and know- how about the most pressing water challenges and innovative solutions.  Pioneering Science: We contribute to water science and technology by stimulating leading edge science and inventions, and helping scientists connect to their peers, publish their latest findings and help others learn with them.  Innovating Technology: We offer support and recognition to innovators in the world of water as technological innovations are key to changing the future of water.  Leading Practice: We develop and promote best practices and international frameworks and standards, supporting transitions to sustainable practices.                   Our Values Inclusive: we are inclusive and embrace the diversity of our membership and participants, bringing together people from around the world and from a wide range of professions who are concerned with the future of water. Science & Practice-Based: we are scienceand practice-based, exploring the frontiers of science, technology and practice and bringing to life leadingedge, pragmatic and innovative solutions for urban and basin-wide water and sanitation challenges. Service Oriented: we provide outstanding services that support and inspire our members, participants, partners and others and help them to be successful in realizing our common goals.  Excellence: we look for and promote excellence and leadership in all aspects of water management, in conducting our activities and delivering results.                     Inspiring Change This is how we inspire change to achieve our common vision.  Our  Strategic Plan  sets out the objectives that we have set out for the coming few years.                                          

<p>The IWA (International Water Association) maintains an international network of professionals to develop research and projects that are focused on overcoming the challenges of water consumption and waste management.</p>