Publications

By making great strides in productivity, the industrial food system has managed largely to meet the demands of a growing global population. However, this approach to food productio...

As major engines of economic growth, cities have the tools, knowledge, and ability to drive the circular economy agenda forward and unlock economic, environmental, and social benef...

This paper provides an initial exploration of the intersection between two emerging megatrends: artificial intelligence and the circular economy. Written in collaboration with Goog...

Applying circular economy principles at scale in China’s cities could make goods and services more affordable for citizens by 2040 and at the same time make cities more liveable, r...

We are increasingly surrounded by ever more complex products, from smartphones and computers to wearable devices. Although these devices have become an essential part of life, most...

Cheap, light, and versatile, plastics are the dominant materials of our modern economy. Their production is expected to double over the next two decades. Yet only 14% of all plasti...

Fashion is a vibrant industry that employs hundreds of millions, generates significant revenues, and touches almost everyone, everywhere. Since the 20th century, clothing has incre...

As part of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s ongoing research on the circular economy, this paper expands our understanding of the model in the urban context.

This scoping paper focuses on the potential of the significant volume of organic waste flowing through the urban environment.

A circular economy has profound consequences for production, employment, education, money, and finance but also induces a shift in public policy and taxation. The economic advantag...

A new report by SYSTEMIQ, in collaboration with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and sponsored by SUN, has identified ten attractive circular innovation and investment priorities for...

Launched at the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos in January 2017, this new research presents three strategies to increase reuse and recycling of plastic packaging to ...

By embarking on a circular economy transformation, India could create direct economic benefits for businesses and citizens while reducing negative externalities.

The second book of the series A New Dynamic reflects on the necessity to develop a whole-system approach to re-think our economy.

With up to 50 billion connected devices predicted by 2020, a pervasive digital transformation is reshaping the economy. Will this ‘fourth industrial revolution’ lead to an accelera...

Applying circular economy principles to global plastic packaging flows could transform the plastics economy and drastically reduce negative externalities such as leakage into ocean...

This 20-page executive summary report sets out the organisation's latest insights and analysis on the circular economy. Towards a Circular Economy: Business Rationale for an Accele...

The circular economy offers business leaders and government a clear opportunity for long-term growth that is less dependent on cheap materials and energy, and which can restore and...

In a circular economy, growth comes from ‘within’, by increasing the value derived from existing economic structures, products, and materials. This major report quantifies the bene...

Upward trending, volatile materials and energy prices; difficult credit conditions and the myriad opportunities of the digital revolution are combining to make a circular economy t...

Business leaders and governments both acknowledge that continued wealth generation requires a new industrial model less dependent on primary energy and materials inputs. Towards ...

The report focuses on fast-moving consumer goods, which currently account for about 60% of total consumer spending, 35% of material inputs into the economy, and 75% of municipal wa...

Using product case studies and economy-wide analysis, this report details the potential for significant benefits across the EU. It argues that a subset of the EU manufacturing sect...