Waste to Bioplastics: How Close Are We to Sustainable PHA Production?
The Circular Business Model Design Guide was created in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and supported by PA Consulting and the University of Exeter. This guide is designed to help businesses transition from traditional linear models to circular business practices, offering a framework to enhance value creation, sustainability, and economic efficiency.
The guide introduces the concept of the circular economy (CE), a sustainable business paradigm aimed at minimizing waste and maximizing resource efficiency. It supports businesses in identifying circular opportunities and designing models to capture, deliver, and sustain value. CE aligns with global sustainability goals, such as the UN's SDGs for responsible consumption, climate action, and biodiversity preservation. The potential economic benefit is highlighted with an estimated $1.8 trillion in value-creation opportunities in Europe by 2030.
Four key steps guide businesses in applying CE principles:
- Where to Play: Identifying value loss points in existing systems and exploring circular opportunities.
- How to Win: Developing mutual value propositions with stakeholders and ensuring strategic alignment.
- How to Operate: Pinpointing essential operational and support capabilities required for a circular transition.
- How to Profit: Crafting innovative pricing strategies to ensure financial sustainability.
The guide is highly practical, featuring tools, templates, and real-world examples such as FashionCo, a fictional brand exploring seasonal clothing rental as a circular initiative. This allows businesses to visualize how to reduce waste, extend product life, and adopt innovative strategies like product-as-a-service and resource recovery.
Businesses are encouraged to adopt new mindsets and foster collaborations to transition effectively. The guide provides actionable strategies for companies of varying sizes and maturity levels, helping them align operational goals with sustainability and profitability. With this guide, businesses can confidently navigate the complexities of circular models while ensuring a balance between economic gains and environmental stewardship.
