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Starter Kit collection

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Rampant material extraction is pushing the ecosystems of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to their limits. Over 11% of global raw materials are extracted within the region, yet it represents only about 8% of the world's population.

[*The Circularity Gap Report* (CGR) Latin America and the Caribbean](https://www.circularity-gap.world/lac), a first of its kind, demonstrates how the region can leverage the circular economy to tackle systemic inefficiencies in satisfying societal needs, conserve its unique natural wealth, and improve its people’s well-being.

To devise pathways for a circular transition, the report analysed the sectors where circular interventions could yield the most positive impact—environmentally, economically, and socially. This entails shifting to a circular food system, building a circular built environment, advancing circular manufacturing, transforming the energy system, reducing waste generation, and improve waste cycling.

[Circle Economy](https://www.circle-economy.com/) is a global impact organisation with an international team of passionate experts based in Amsterdam. We empower industries, cities, and nations with practical and scalable solutions to put the circular economy into action. Our vision is an economic system that ensures the planet and all people can thrive. To avoid climate breakdown, our goal is to double global circularity by 2032. Through the Circularity Gap Reporting Initiative, our mission is to deliver Circularity Metrics that measure the state of the global and national economy and identify key levers to transition to circularity. 

Latin America Collection

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Business case

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 financial condition of a company, as well as the the economicconditions of its stakeholders and on economic systems at local, national, andglobal levels.

Economic Impact

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

Productivity

Impact on the ease of innovation, and facilitating uptake of innovations

Innovation

Reduced green house gas emissions released into the biosphere

Reduce Emissions (SDG13)

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)

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

Save Water (SDG6)

Producing and providing business and consumer goods and services

Goods and Services

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

Fashion and Textiles

Utilise waste streams as a source of secondary resources and recover waste for reuse and recycling

Use waste as a resource

Reuse, repurpose, and recycle waste streams within other industries

Valorise waste streams - open loop

Transforming waste products, materials for reuse within other industries

Open loop upcycling

VISION:
Raw materials are renewable, recyclable and safe, kept in continual circulation.

DETAIL:
Imagine a time when…the raw materials that are used to make things are sourced from existing products and regenerative agriculture, via carbon negative and climate neutral processes. Biodegradable raw materials are used for products with biodegradable end routes. Toxic chemicals have been washed out of the global materials pool, disposed of safely and replaced with beneficial alternatives. Virgin fibres made from fossil fuels have been banned, while secondary synthetic fibres, derived from what was already in the system, are kept in constant circulation as a resource. Circularity accounting methods, built on science-based metrics, help to manage a balanced system of resources, across all industries, and in line with the planet’s environmental limits.

Raw Materials and Planetary Boundaries

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

Cycle strategies aim to cycle and reuse materials at their highest value: they maximise the volume of secondary materials re-entering the economy, ultimately minimising the need for virgin material inputs and therefore also narrowing flows. Of course, virgin materials will always be needed to a degree: all materials degrade and can’t be cycled infinitely, use energy, and require blending with virgin materials to maintain strength and functionality.

Cycle

Archetypes

CE Materials

Impacts

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Industries

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Materials

Nace Sectors

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

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)

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

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

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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

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

Thematic Areas

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

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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

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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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A circular system is one in which products are designed, manufactured, used and handled so as to circulate within society for as long as possible, with maximum usability, minimum adverse environmental impacts, minimum waste generation, and with the most efficient use of water, energy and other resources throughout their lifecycles. Collecting and sorting post-industrial waste from local garment factories, grounding these scraps back into fiber, to spin these once again into new yarns to weave and upcycle into our curated woven fabrics collection.  The process is chemical-free, dye-free, and uses minimal water and energy. We do not add any synthetic fibers (such as polyester, nylon, acrylic, etc), committed to creating products that are all 100% natural and compostable - circular.  The cottonseed and cotton lint, our own leftover material from our upcycling process, is passed on to coffee-growers, Finca San Jeronimo Miramar, to use as compost to cultivate specialty coffee in the highlands of Guatemala. Upcycling this waste back into production systems, making it a reusable and valuable resource, serving as food for new organisms.  ​ More than a process, it is a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and visionary, guiding us in changing our practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become valuable resources for others to use. Our eco-industrial techniques have led us to reduce our carbon emissions, water, energy usage, and vastly minimize the consumption of new virgin raw material. Reusing discarded textiles that will allow for abundance and endless life cycles. Leading the way towards a sustainable and thriving industry, proudly operating under a circular economy, like the earth itself.CIRCULARITY IS THE UNDERSTANDING THAT:"Everything you make returns to Earth as either food or poison"

         We’re thrilled to present our new range of Upcycled Denims produced by The New Denim Project! Among the first of its kind worldwide, The New Denim Project uses a closed-loop production process to craft new fabrics from post-industrial waste. The result of this circular system is a line of hardwearing and high-quality denims that are not only dye-free but chemical-free, meaning they are entirely biodegradable at the end of their life span.

Come along as we explore the history of The New Denim Project and their production process!

Our 12oz & 10.5oz Upcycled Denims
A Little History
        The New Denim Project came about as a project by Iris Textiles, a third-generation textile mill in Guatemala run by a father-daughter team. Originally established in 1956 by their grandfather, the mill is now run by daughters Arianne, their creative director, and Joanna, who oversees business development, as well as their father Jamie, the head of production. 

From left to right: Arianne, Jamie, and Joanna Engleberg. Image courtesy of Intent Journal
        Over their 65 years of operations, the company turned their focus to circularity in the textile industry, looking for a way to marry sustainability and technology through their production process. The New Denim Project is the product of these values, breathing new life into otherwise discarded scraps and creating products that are environmentally responsible, from the beginning to the end of their lifespans.
How They Do It
        To craft these fabrics, they begin by collecting post-industrial waste from local garment factories (such as the off-cuts from producing jeans), sorting them by colour, and grinding these scraps back down to a fiber form.

Over 1000lbs of leftover scraps from denim factory cutting tables, collected from a single denim mill in Guatemala

Raw fibers ground from denim scraps 
        In the spirit of zero waste, any unused fibers from this upcycling process, such as cottonseed and cotton lint, are sent to local coffee-growers in the highlands of Guatemala, Finca San Jeronimo Miramar. The fibers are mixed with coffee pulp, manure, wood, and more to create compost that is used to nourish their fields.

Compost used for growing coffee. Image courtesy of Finca San Jeronimo Miramar
        Once ground, these fibers are then spun into new yarns without the use of a single dye or chemical and without any synthetic fibers added to the mix. 

Roving made from these upcycled fibers being spun into usable yarns
With the supervision of their skilled weaving team, the yarns are woven together by machine to create fabrics in a range of different weights and hues. 

The New Denim Project Weaving team
        Due to the upcycled nature of the yarns, each of these fabrics features a unique flecked appearance that gives it a beautiful organic look. Our 12oz Upcycled Denim in Concrete Fleck, for example, boasts a subtle confetti-like range of colourful flecks that we can’t get enough of!

From left to right: Our 12oz Upcycled Denim in Concrete Fleck and our 10.5oz Upcycled Denim in Medium Blue Fleck, Pale Blue Fleck, & Natural Fleck
Their Impact
        Thanks to their closed-loop process, The New Denim Project has saved 834,474 pounds of textile scraps from going to waste in one year alone. According to The New Denim Project, for each kilogram of waste used, they save up to 20,000 liters of water and for each ton of textiles that are upcycled, 20 tons of CO² are prevented from entering the atmosphere.  
The Fabrics
        We're happy to be able to offer a range of lightweight to heavyweight Upcycled Denims that are sure to suit a range of different projects! Sturdy and hard-wearing our 12oz & 10oz Upcycled Denims boast a structured drape and soft hand straight off the bolt compared to raw denim. With a prominent twill weave, these denims are perfect for all your favourite workwear styles including jeans, chore jackets, and overalls.

Our 12oz & 10.5oz Upcycled Denims by The New Denim Project
        Our Upcycled Denim Shirtings, on the other hand, are lightweight and breathable with a moderate drape that makes them perfect for classic button downs, shirtdresses, and elastic waist pants.
 Head to The New Denim Project collection here to shop our Upcycled Denims. All images, unless otherwise specified, are courtesy of The New Denim Project.  Works referenced for this article include The New Denim Project and Intent Journal. 

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 The New Denim Project is our newest venture within Iris Textiles, an industrial textile group & family business, operating in Guatemala since 1956. A project born with the objective to unite technology and ecology in our production. Reusing discarded textiles that will allow for abundance, endless life cycles and lead the way towards a circular and ethical industry. Proudly operating…
What’s unique about the work you do?
Our production systems work under the design principle of upcycling, a process which is restorative by design. Collecting, sorting and separating post-industrial and post-consumer textile waste. Mainly fabric scraps from the cutting tables of Guatemala’s denim mills and discarded second-hand garments. We collect, sort, clean this material, and ground it back into fibre to spin and develop regenerated cotton yarns. These cotton yarns are then used to weave our collection of curated fabrics. Our textiles are made of 100% upcycled natural fibres, free from added synthetics, chemicals and dyes. Using this textile-to-textile upcycling system, we’ve managed to create our closed-loop industrial mill, which is among the first of its kind worldwide.

What achievement(s) are you most proud of?
More than a mechanical process, it is a visionary journey to lead us in changing our practices, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use. We are proud to have inaugurated one of the first and only closed-loop textile mills in the world. In order to upcycle our own waste, we partnered with Finca San Jeronimo Miramar (FSJM), an eco-diverse farm in Guatemala. A private nature reserve and a well-known research laboratory developing natural methods of growing coffee. FSJM collects the leftover cottonseed from our spinning process and, once composted, uses it as natural fertilizer for their specialty coffee and other crops. Who would have thought denim could serve as food for the region’s best coffee?

What are the biggest challenges you face in your work?
It is a monumental industry, in desperate need of innovation. As creatives and industrialists, we must have a 360-degree vision and perspective of what is happening around us. The challenges are endless— materials, waste, mass production and consumption, education, and shifting the age-old narrative that we must sacrifice our ecosystem to live pleasurably. But, despite all these challenges, we see an opportunity to explore and manifest solutions. We must not forget that throughout history civilizations who have failed often abused the system that sustained them. And those who have thrived have withstood great challenges through collaboration and resilience. Earthshaking change can ultimately be for the better.
Textile lab
What advice do you have for others?
Teach your mind to trust. Discard from your mind the illusion of competition we have been taught to exist in our current economic system. Life has nothing to do with competition. Life is a perfect and balanced harmony of all species and living beings. Healthy exchange, love, dialogue and cooperation. The most important thing in life is to collaborate, to share. When we are born we trust. We are social animals, we need other people, nobody can work in isolation. Unlimited growth and a competitive mentality will not lead to sustainable development. If we each are responsible for our own renovation (our actions), then we can renovate this system – in community. We might not be able to predict the future, but we can influence it – together.

How does your work contribute to our Climate+ vision?
We are determined to redesign the way we source and dispose of raw materials, adapting and improving the current mechanical processes that bring those materials to life; polishing and elevating sustainable textile production, product design and development. Using circular design principles that are embedded in the very genetics of our manufacturing processes and materials. Our current (annual) installed capacity can process 1.7 million pounds of discarded fibers and textiles. That equates to 350 million gallons of water having been saved (22 million showers) and 5.1 million lbs of toxic chemicals and dyes prevented from entering the atmosphere. Our textiles are made of upcycled fibers, free from added synthetics, chemicals and dyes.
 

Guatemala City

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Iris Textiles

<p>The New Denim Project is the newest and most innovative line of products from Iris Textiles, a third-generation family-owned textile manufacturer and wholesaler operating in Guatemala since 1956. The New Denim Project creates 100% sustainable yarns, fabrics, and products created from pre-consumer denim waste. These scraps are deconstructed back into fiber, spun into new threads, and then woven.</p>