The circular economy has become a useful concept in sustainable resource management and an area of research that influences business and policy. The successful application of the circular economy benefits from extensive engagement with the body of scientific knowledge that brought it about, and which offers many relevant methods and findings. This white paper promotes such engagement by presenting 10 insights from the field of industrial ecology; each insight presents critical concepts, challenges, or opportunities for the circular economy stakeholders.

SUMMARY: INSIGHTS IN SHORT

  • NATURE OFFERS A MODEL FOR INDUSTRY
  • SOCIETIES METABOLISE LIKE ORGANISMS
  • WE CANNOT DO WITHOUT THE ENVIRONMENT
  • ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ARE INEVITABLE
  • A LIFE CYCLE PERSPECTIVE AVOIDS BURDEN SHIFTING
  • EARLY SYSTEMIC INTERVENTION PREVENTS WASTE
  • LOCATION SHAPES ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
  • MATERIAL USE DEPENDS ON INFRASTRUCTURE
  • TECHNOLOGY IS NOT A PANACEA
  • THE FUTURE IS UNKNOWN BUT MAY BE ANTICIPATED