What are the benefits?
What is sustainability?
These are two of many images used to depict sustainability, at its simplest sustainability is about balancing the needs of the environment, society and the economy – all are intrinsically linked. The circular economy gives us the tools to address all three aspects.
Approached in a holistic, systems level way, a circular economy can tackle climate change and biodiversity loss together, while addressing important social needs. It brings the opportunity to grow prosperity and resilience while cutting greenhouse gas (including carbon) emissions, waste, and pollution, reducing raw materials dependence and protecting the environment whilst creating jobs and saving consumers money.
Benefits of a circular approach
From a business perspective the circular economy brings many opportunities, some of these are illustrated in the ‘What is a circular economy’ section.
It may be difficult initially to see the opportunities or perhaps the opportunity is obvious but the pivot required to capitalise on it is not. However with consumers making more conscious choices around environmental and social value concerns, materials prices increasing and existing and upcoming legislation, there are an increasing number of reasons to move away from the ‘linear’ business as usual and towards a circular approach.
Review your business through a circular lens and you may be surprised what opportunities there are. For example partnering with other organisations to extend your offer to include repair to give added value to your customers; or finding a company that can use a material you are currently paying to dispose of as a raw material for their production processes which could decrease your costs, or even bring a small amount of additional revenue.
If this is of interest then get in touch with International Synergies to find out more about their industrial symbiosis West Midlands Resource Reuse Network. Additionally adopting circular strategies and practices will most likely lead to a reduction in carbon emissions, including Scope 3, which is also beneficial when tendering for work and Environmental, Social and Governance reporting.
From a community perspective, with examples such as Repair Cafés, Libraries of Things and Community Cafés, the benefits are multiple and wide reaching.
The best Repair Cafes and Libraries of Things start out being a place to repair, borrow and share things—and end up becoming a place for the community to gather, from workshops and events to fundraisers and quiz nights.
Creating a circular hub with more than one initiative or organisation co-locating, perhaps in a community centre, public library, or even a university, can provide a way to tap into existing foot-fall as well benefitting from shared interests across the initiatives.
We are facing a triple planetary crisis of climate change, waste & pollution and biodiversity loss, and reuse is a key part of maximising our resources and reducing our carbon emissions. We do not need the average person on the street to understand what a circular economy is, we just need to give people the opportunity to make the most of what they already have, to do more with less, to consume less new and to seek out second hand.
"Communities of Practice can be seen as a space for an individual to build upon skills and knowledge by connecting to a group with similar goals and practices. Communities of Practice are incredibly important in the move to a circular economy and the development of a more resilient and sustainable future.
As their primary focus is to share knowledge and expertise, they are the ideal places for the development of skills for resilience. For example, to teach people the skills needed to keep products in use for longer, through repair cafes, tool libraries and maker spaces."
(Designing community: creating resilience through collaboration. Jessica Clare Robins et al - Lancaster University, UK - July 2020)
The knowledge and skills developed through any of these ‘communities of practice’ are likely to be shared through family and friends, passing skills throughout a network that is wider than the initial group, extending reach and multiplying the benefits felt throughout a community and beyond.
Through repair cafes, maker spaces and similar initiatives, we can teach people the skills needed to keep products in use for longer, to have the confidence to do basic DIY in their homes and build independence and resilience.
Investing in community, and more formal, development programmes to meet the needs of the circular economy can unlock a wealth of opportunities for individuals seeking training and employment while simultaneously driving forward towards a lower carbon, more sustainable UK economy.
Moving to a circular economy can significantly boost upskilling and job creation in several ways:
- Repair & Maintenance Jobs: More demand for workers skilled in retrofit and repairing electronics, machinery, textiles, and appliances rather than replacing them.
- Recycling & Waste Management: Growth in industries focused on material recovery, sorting, and processing.
- Product-as-a-Service Jobs: Companies shifting from selling products to leasing or renting (e.g., tool libraries, car-sharing) create jobs in servicing, logistics, and customer support.
- Green Technology Training: Growth in demand for renewable energy solutions, bio-based materials, and circular design
- Digital & AI-Driven Waste Management: Smart recycling bins, AI-powered material sorting, and digital platforms for surplus/reused/secondary materials trading require new tech skills.
- Circular Business Models: Workers in marketing, finance, and logistics need to learn sustainable, lower carbon and circular business practices.
- Production & Repair Hubs: Growth of local businesses offering repairs, remanufacturing, and upcycling as this sector becomes more ‘business as usual’
- Pressure on cost and availability of imported materials and creation of shorter supply chains: Reduction of dependence on imports and offshore manufacturing, leading to more local sourcing, production and employment.
- Startups in Circular Economy: Growth in businesses focused on production of lower carbon, circular materials and products, repair & reuse, and sharing platforms.
- Creative Roles in Design: Demand for designers creating modular, repairable, robust products that can be disassembled at end of life(s) and recycled.
By shifting to a circular economy, we not only reduce waste and environmental harm but also boost employment, innovation, and skill development, creating a more resilient workforce.
For more information about jobs in the circular economy:
What jobs contribute to the circular economy?
https://www.circle-economy.com/circular-jobs-initiative/circular-jobs