Scoping study to identify potential circular economy actions, priority sectors, material flows and value chains

• DOI: 10.2779/29525
• Publication Date: 2014-09-18
• Authors: Martha Bicket; Sara J. T. Guilcher; Mathieu Hestin; Christopher G. Hu...; P. Razzini; Ah‐Hwee Tan; P. ten Brink; E. van Dijl; Robin Vanner; Emma Watkins
• Keywords: Circular Economy; Consumption; Value (mathematics); Dispose pattern; Value chain; Industrial Ecology

The circular economy is rapidly rising up political and business agendas. In contrast to today’s largely linear, ‘take-make-use-dispose’ economy, a represents development strategy that enables economic growth while aiming optimise the chain of consumption biological technical materials. A deep transformation production chains patterns envisaged keep materials circulating in for longer, re-designing industrial systems encouraging cascading use waste. Although there are some elements circularity such as recycling composting linear (see Figure E1) where progress needs be maintained, goes beyond pursuit waste prevention reduction inspire technological, organisational social innovation across within value E2). There already several policies place activities underway support economy; however remain range untapped opportunities, costs avoided obstacles addressed order accelerate move towards EU. Against this backdrop, European Commission (DG Environment) launched Scoping study identify potential actions, priority sectors, material flows & chains. was carried out by Policy Studies Institute (PSI), Environmental (IEEP), BIO Ecologic between November 2013 July 2014. aim provide an initial scoping assessment priorities policy options transition reviewed existing literature, identified areas action accelerating would beneficial EU has particular role play, developed consideration areas.