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Circular economy explained

Circular economy in practice: Case studies and company examples

Our curated collections of case studies present circular economy success stories from around the world, showing how businesses, governments and cities are transforming our economy into one that works for people and the environment.

Get inspired by new circular economy business models, policies and strategies that demonstrate how we can fundamentally change the way we design, make and use the things we need.

Case studies by topic

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Biodiversity case studies

Examples illustrating how the circular economy can benefit biodiversity.

  • Biodiversity
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Built environment case studies

Examples of circular economy in the built environment

  • Built environment
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Business case studies

Examples of circular economy in business practices.

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Circular design case studies

Examples of the circular economy in design.

  • Design
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Cities case studies

Examples of circular economy in cities.

  • Cities
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Climate case studies

Examples of how the circular economy can help the climate.

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Fashion case studies

Examples of circular economy in the fashion industry.

  • Fashion
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Finance case studies

Examples of the circular economy in the financial sector.

  • Finance
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Government and policy case studies

Examples of circular economy in policies.

  • Policy
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Food case studies

Examples of circular economy in the food industry.

  • Food
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Plastics case studies

Examples of circular economy in the plastics industry.

  • Plastics
  • Mission

Case study collections

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Collection | Case study

Commercial collaboration: A powerful driver for the circular economy

The following case studies provide replicable examples of commercial collaboration between...

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Building Prosperity: Strategies in action

These case studies come from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's report, Building Prosperity.

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Multinational companies

Examples of some of the world’s largest companies that have started to embrace the circular economy.

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Great ideas

Examples of products and services with the circular economy in their DNA.

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Case studies in Africa

Examples of circular economy in Africa.

Asia landscape
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Case studies in Asia

Examples of circular economy in Asia.

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Case studies in China

Examples of circular economy in China.

Architecture
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Case studies in Europe

Examples of circular economy in Europe.

Latin American landscape
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Case studies in Latin America

Examples of circular economy in Latin America.

City landscape
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Case studies in North America

Examples of circular economy in North America.

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Case studies in Oceania

Examples of circular economy in Oceania.

agriculture

View all of our case studies

Explore our full library of case studies to discover more examples of the circular economy in action.

View all case studies
  • Circular economy explained