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

Impact on increased knowledge and understanding as a result of the case study

Increase Awareness

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)

Operating networks and software that enable the exchange and broadcasting of information, such as entertainment and internet software, television, cable, satellite or radio broadcasting systems, and cellular, wireless and/or fixed-line telecommunications services

Software and Communications

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

Fashion and Textiles

Providing upgrade programmes or upgrade services for products or parts of products

Product upgrade

Engaging in discussions with customers to educate and raise awareness of the circular economy and explore circular opportunities together

Customer dialogue, marketing 

Connecting products and services into the internet of things to identify, enable and/or implement circular strategies (eg. effective resource use & logistics planning, circular business models & design)

Internet enabled, connected operations

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

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

Start digitizing to unlock the full potential of your products.  Double the revenue per product. Connect directly with customers. Power new business models. Unlock unprecedented intelligence.  Access to industry's largest Network for Connected Products.Build ongoing relationship with customers to increase loyalty, drive revenue, service customers, communicate values, build brand and steward sustainability and circularity. Identify and authenticate products. Power brand owned and third-party applications. Monetize and scale new revenue streams and circular business models. Reinvent retail and engage customers in the Store of the Future.Access customer insights and real-time visibility into operations. Unlock unprecedented business intelligence. Access never before possible data beyond point-of-sale. Bring measurement and transparency to circular economy. EON makes it easy to connect products directly to customers, partners and new business models to unlock new revenue streams. With an extensible ecosystem, EON provides access to a pre-integrated global network and tools to track, manage and drive applications for products across the entire lifecycle.With advanced analytics, EON collects customer insights and item-level data to deliver actionable business intelligence and competitive advantage. Power new business models & services, including resale, rental, recycling and more - with access to industry's largest network of pre-integrated business partners. The first platform to connect products from new to re-new. The only platform for fashion retail with a global partner network.Developed the global language for connected products.Advancing circular systems across industry for sustainable future.  Complete the form to get in touch with our team to see a demo of Connected Products and the EON Cloud in action. 

New York

medium_blob

small_blob

thumbnail_blob

blob

With a unique Digital ID for every item, power new business models, customer experiences, sustainability and intelligence.

Founded in 2015 Eon creates more traceable, intelligent and valuable products with a unique Digital ID for every item, power new business models, customer experiences, sustainability and intelligence. Eon not only provides consumers with accurate information on the product materials and supply chain, but it also allows to keep the product in use longer in the secondary market.

Eon - Enhancing consumer awareness and circularity through digital IDs


thumbnail_WCTD2022_campaignlogo.jpg

WCTD2022_campaignlogo.jpg

This collection has been built by a community of passionate researchers, students, and industry professionals as part of <a href="https://worldcirculartextilesday.com/" target="_blank">World Circular Textiles Day</a> (WCTD). 


World Circular Textiles Day takes place every year on 8th October. Our vision is to galvanise the collective ambitions and goals of people, organisations and businesses to reach a fully circular textiles world by 2050. Our mission is to provide a framework for circularity stakeholders to develop and deliver a collaborative, evolving roadmap and to chart circularity’s momentum annually from the 8th of October until 2050.

What does fully circular by 2050 mean?
- Shared textile resources, in the form of products and raw materials, are kept in **continual circulation**.
- Virgin resources are **replaced with circular materials**.
- Dignity, equity, and equality for the **people** involved in all parts of the circular value chain.

We need to know where we stand today to chart how to get to 100% Circularity by 2050. What circular activity is currently happening in the textiles and apparel industry, and where in the world is it happening? The WCTD Collection aims to answer this question by building the world’s largest digital library of circular textiles case studies. 

World Circular Textiles Day is proud to be supported by our 2022-23 Circular Hero Partners:
[Lenzing](https://www.lenzing.com/), [Texaid](https://retailsolutions.texaid.com/), [Bank & Vogue](https://www.bankvogue.com/), [Usha yarns limited](https://ushayarns.com/), [The Conduit](https://www.theconduit.com/), and [Asia Pacific Rayon](https://www.aprayon.com/en/)

## Want to contribute to the WCTD Collection? Sign up and add your circular textiles activities.

World Circular Textiles Day

large_WCTD background.png

medium_WCTD background.png

small_WCTD background.png

thumbnail_WCTD background.png

WCTD background.png

thumbnail_Starter kit image.JPG

Starter kit image.JPG

Starter Kit collection

Impact on the availability of resources as well as their effect on living organisms, ecosystems, and components of the environment.

Ecological Impact

Impacts on the social fabric of the community and well-being of the individuals and families.

Social Impact

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

Reduce Material Consumption (SDG12)

Producing and providing business and consumer goods and services

Goods and Services

Providing specialist services to support consumers, businesses, andgovernments

Professional Services

Use digital, online platforms and technologies that provide insights to track and optimise resource use, strengthen connections between supply chain actors, and enable the implementation of circular models



Incorporate digital technology

Employ technologies to gather and analyse data to provide insights on resource use

Data and insights

Utilising data and models to to identify, enable and/or implement circular strategies (eg. effective resource use & logistics planning, circular business models & design)

Data analytics, modelling

VISION:
Products and services are designed for multiple use and material value retention, with maximum positive impact.

DETAIL: 
Imagine a time when…products flow via optimal collection and distribution streams into reusable and repairable product platforms. Reuse and access models are dominant, and products are designed for multiple recirculation before biodegrading (if designed to do so), or being broken down into reusable raw materials for production. People only consume what they need. Production and consumption wastes have been fully eliminated and multifunctional, season-less and timeless fashions are the norm, yet still fulfil our human need for expression and creativity without constraint. All business models, organisations, governments and citizens play a role in maintaining a healthy, functioning circular ecosystem.

Products and Services

Archetypes

CE Materials

Materials

Nace Sectors

Topics

Urban Opportunities

Whilst no two countries are the same, there are still obvious similarities between some of them, with discernible development patterns and parallels in evidence. Common problems and shared solutions help place unique country identities and individual issues in context.

Whilst this classification is far from clear-cut and exhibits some overlap, it does underline how the discourse on transitioning to a circular economy needs to account for both differences and commonalities, if we are to arrive at a more strategic and instructive analysis. It also allows to highlight a set of key themes that are likely to be central to the countries that fall under the respective profiles. 

Country profiles (Build, Grow, Shift)

thumbnail_bgsimage 14.png

bgsimage 14.png

A framework to distinguish between different country profiles and their circular transition needs.

Browse case studies by type of implementing stakeholder.

Implementing stakeholders

It is 2050.  Full systems change has taken place. This wouldn’t have been possible without the immediate action and radical steps taken from 2020 onwards. Many targets had to be identified in the early 2020s and achieved by 2030 to ensure that the 2050 goal happened in full. A sense of urgency, turbo stakeholder collaboration, supportive government regulation and clear, data driven targets enabled the mindsets and systems change needed to transform to a fully circular textiles ecosystem.

A circular economics model underpins what we have created. It reflects and supports a living organism made up of makers, users and restorers, interacting across vibrant and interconnected networks. Checks and balances, alongside transparency and accountability, ensure a healthy system. Financial, environmental, and social metrics have the purpose of serving communities and the planet. There is shared ownership of profit and loss – across all three metrics – throughout the value chain.

This is what we’ve achieved over the last 30 years:

WCTD Themes

thumbnail_wctd.jpg

wctd.jpg

The Circular City Actions Framework provides urban changemakers with five complementary strategies they can use to start working towards a more circular system. 

The framework is action-based to provide users with concrete strategic directions and showcase the desired outcomes of each strategy. 
The framework consists of five complementary **strategies**, under which **sub-strategies** provide further detail. Finally, each sub-strategy consists of a diversity of tangible **solutions** which are framed in relation to key thematic areas. 

Note: solutions are currently focused on:
- 🍏 **Food systems**
- 🏢  **Built environment**
- 👕📱  **Consumer goods**
- ⚡ **Energy Systems**
- 🚌 **Mobility Systems**
- 💧 **Water Systems**

More thematic areas are coming soon...

'Click through each of the five strategy cards below to explore the framework and circular economy case studies in more depth!'



This framework was developed in collaboration with ICLEI, Metabolic and Ellen MacArthur Foundation with support from the MAVA Foundation. Read more about it [here]( https://circulars.iclei.org/action-framework/). 



Circular City Actions Framework

large_Circular-City-Actions-Framework-infographic-scaled_gray background.jpeg

medium_Circular-City-Actions-Framework-infographic-scaled_gray background.jpeg

small_Circular-City-Actions-Framework-infographic-scaled_gray background.jpeg

thumbnail_Circular-City-Actions-Framework-infographic-scaled_gray background.jpeg

Circular-City-Actions-Framework-infographic-scaled_gray background.jpeg

An action-based framework for local governments working towards circular cities

City Stakeholders

Test Framework

Challenges

Based on the ongoing ISO standardisation process, a taxonomy has been defined under which to cluster indicators to measure circularity. 

ISO Taxonomy

If managed well, the transition to the circular economy will have multiple benefits for the labour market, including the opening up of job opportunities, raising job standards and reducing inequalities through a global redistribution of value. But a positive transition to circularity for work and workers must be underpinned by three pillars: upskilling the workforce, quality of work and inclusive job opportunities. Find out more and explore cases that illustrate these pillars below.

Circular Jobs Initiative Pillars

large_61791a640bc7e355853af058_shutterstock_1135948928 (1)-min-p-1080.jpeg

medium_61791a640bc7e355853af058_shutterstock_1135948928 (1)-min-p-1080.jpeg

small_61791a640bc7e355853af058_shutterstock_1135948928 (1)-min-p-1080.jpeg

thumbnail_61791a640bc7e355853af058_shutterstock_1135948928 (1)-min-p-1080.jpeg

61791a640bc7e355853af058_shutterstock_1135948928 (1)-min-p-1080.jpeg

A positive transition to circularity for work and workers must be underpinned by three core pillars.

This is a survey that dives into understanding the policy environment around specific circular solutions. 

The survey is divided into five sections, based on the five key elements of the Circular Cities Action Framework. 
Each section asks 2-3 questions to explore which policies may or may not be present within your city to support a transition towards a circular economy. 

You are not alone! Each question provides some practical examples from cities around the world that have adopted a certain policy to support their transition. This can help to compare with your city - is your city doing something similar?

The survey answers should be based on your current knowledge, and not illicit additional research - ! Please make use of the Not sure option as appropriate.


Ganbatte Cities Policy Tracker [Food]

Ganbatte Cities - Policy tracker policy instruments

Policy Tracker - TEST


British leather goods specialist Mulberry has announced plans to equip its products with digital IDs, a tool that has also been adopted by Courrèges.
Mulberry will be bringing digital product information to all of its leather goods by 2025, said its managing director Thierry Andretta at the 2022 Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen on Wednesday. Andretta was part of the panel talk ‘Traceability and Transparency for Systematic Change’, which also included EON boss, Natasha Franck.
The US software company, which has a particular focus on digital IDs, is helping Mulberry to integrate this tool into its products. The first pieces to be equipped with the digital ID are the Pre-Loved bags, which come from the circular economy programme ‘Mulberry Exchange’.
By providing Mulberry’s products with the digital ID, the authentication and resale of the products becomes easier as all relevant information, such as model, colour and place of manufacturing, is stored. Customers can scan the label with their mobile phone and thus get access to the information and other services that are provided in the cooperation between EON and Mulberry. Additional options include services such as authentication, repair and resale.
The implementation of the first digital IDs are planned for this month.
Courrèges also relies on digital IDs
Even before Andretta spoke on the introduction of the digital ID card during his presentation, Courrèges CEO Adrien Da Maia also talked about using the feature during a panel discussion in Copenhagen on the topic of retail. Like Mulberry, the French fashion house has relied on EON as its partner.
When he joined Courrèges two years ago, De Maia began networking with partners to facilitate the ID tag aspect, he said. It was this he believed would make resale easier and make more data available. But the process is not only made easier for consumers, the aspects of authentication and customer satisfaction are also improved for the resale platforms through a faster procedure.
Da Maia took part in a talk with Vestiaire Collective CEO Maximilian Bittner, whose resale platform the Courrèges boss sees as a potential partner for this digitisation step.
Bittner also said he was certain that the digital ID is a good solution to sell second-hand clothing more easily. “Instead of going to our app and filling in what material, colour, size, model and sub-model the product is, in an ideal world you just scan it, it fills everything in and it’s uploaded,” said the CEO of the resale platform. 
This article originally appeared on FashionUnited.DE. Translation and edit by: Rachel Douglass.



British luxury brand Mulberry is introducing digital IDs to its products in a push to boost circularity and traceability.
The iconic handbag maker has committed to add IDs to its complete product range by 2025, starting in June with second-hand bags from its resale programme, the Mulberry Exchange.
The company has joined the Sustainable Markets Initiative Fashion Task Force, and has teamed up with cloud-based software platform EON for the new initiative.
Each Mulberry bag will be connected to a digital ID powered by EON. Consumers can then tap their smartphone to the NFC-enabled tag to access product and origin information about the bag, as well as facilitate circular services such as authentication, repair, and resale.
A demo of a leather bag fitted with the digital ID was showcased at the Global Fashion Summit in Copenhagen on June 8 by Mulberry CEO Thierry Andretta and EON founder and CEO Natasha Franck.
Andretta said in a statement: “We take great pride in creating objects that are made to last, to be loved and passed onto the next generation.
“Through the Digital ID, Mulberry can offer customers increased transparency into the unique journeys of our products, deliver services such as lifetime repair, buy-back and resale, and ensure that every bag can have multiple lives.”


Turn your products into assets that connect to customers, applications and new business models.Turn every product into a media channel to build ongoing relationships with customers, communicate values, and steward sustainability and circularity. Identify and authenticate your products to enable brand-owned or third-party resale. Monetize and scale new revenue streams and business models. Reinvent retail and engage customers in the Store of the Future.Access real-time customer insights, product feedback and visibility into operations beyond point-of-sale. Bring measurement and transparency to circular economy. Leading Product Cloud digitizing billions of products across fashion retailPartnered with 
top resale, recycle & repair companiesPioneered the global data protocol for digital identification of productsPowering industry-wide systems for circularity Power new business models & customer services at scale with access to leading circular business partners across resale, rental, recycling and more.

   Women      Men      Sale      Gifts       Gifts    Gifts For Her     Gifts For Him        World       World    About Mulberry     Made To Last     Collections     Design Icons     Journal        My account       My account    Sign In     Create Account        Customer services       Customer services    Store Locator     Contact Us     Returns     Order & Shipping        Our Story       Our Story    The Mulberry Story     Careers     Investors        Select your region      Sign Up For Mulberry News     Follow Mulberry      France     Change Language   

large_blob

Mulberry

Mulberry, a british luxury brand, is introducing digital IDs to its products in a push to boost circularity and traceability.The iconic handbag maker has committed to add IDs to its complete product range by 2025, starting in June, 2022 with second-hand bags from its resale programme, the Mulberry Exchange.

Mulberry will add EON powered digital IDs to each of its products by 2025

While resources are in-use, maintain, repair and upgrade them to maximise their lifetime and give them a second life through take back strategies when applicable

Stretch the lifetime

Give products and parts another life after their end-of-use

Maximise lifetime of products after use

Activities to clean, decorate, and restore products back to working condition for original or new purposes

Refurbishment, remanufacturing, renovation

Slow strategies aim to keep materials in use for as long as possible, for example through design for durability and repairability. A more circular economy is also a slower one: materials, components, and products—and even buildings and infrastructure—that we lock in stocks are made to last. This will lower material demand in the long run, in essence also serving to narrow resource flows.

Slow

EON offers unique Digital IDs for products to track and manage them across the full life cycle, which makes it easier to extend the life of products and resell them.