A Circular Economy Handbook: How to Build a More Resilient, Competitive and Sustainable Business

by Catherine Weetman

Overview

At a time where sustainability is at the forefront of almost every business strategy, learn how you can utilize the circular economy to deliver value to your business responsibly with this essential handbook.

It's is clear that how we make and consume things is a major part of the climate crisis. The extraction and processing of materials, fuels and food makes up about half of global greenhouse gas emissions. Many modern businesses are still depleting resources, destroying ecosystems and dumping waste and pollution at every stage, harming human health along the way. Now in its third edition, A Circular Economy Handbook is a guided resource through the concepts and the practicalities.

A Circular Economy Handbook systematically explores the range of circular interventions, including product and supply chain design, material choice and supporting business models. With over 300 international real world examples, this edition contains new updates on the role of technological advancements and data standardization in implementing an efficient circular economy. This is a must-read for businesses, students and policymakers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781789665338
Publisher:	Kogan Page, Ltd.
Publication date:	11/24/2020
Edition description:	2nd ed.
Pages:	496
Product dimensions:	6.46(w) x 9.45(h) x 1.57(d)

About the Author

Catherine Weetman helps businesses thrive by using fair, regenerative and circular approaches that are better for people, planet and profit. She founded Rethink Global in 2013, to support organizations that want to explore how circular and regenerative approaches create value. She is a Mentor and Group Leader for the Circular Economy Club, a member of the Strategic Foresight Board for the Circular Economy Alliance, and a member of the Circular Economy Steering Group for IEMA. She also hosts the Circular Economy Podcast.

Table of Contents

** Chapter - 00: Introduction * Section - ONE: What is the circular economy?; ** Chapter - 01: The circular economy; ** Chapter - 02: Strategies and business models; ** Chapter - 03: Specifications: designing products for circularity; ** Chapter - 04: Specifications: safe, sustainable materials; ** Chapter - 05: Systems and structures; ** Chapter - 06: Enablers: tools for thinking and design; ** Chapter - 07: Enablers: technology; ** Chapter - 08: Accelerators: collaborations, legislation, finance and other levers; * Section - TWO: Why is it needed?; ** Chapter - 09: Drivers for change; ** Chapter - 10: People's priorities are changing; * Section - THREE: How is it taking shape and creating value?; ** Chapter - 11: Business Model Design; ** Chapter - 12: Strategy #1: Endurance; ** Chapter - 13: Strategy #2: Intensity; ** Chapter - 14: Strategy #3: Revival; * Section - FOUR: Making the transition; ** Chapter - 15: Unlocking change; ** Chapter - 16: Building the business case ** Chapter - 17: Glossary

Editorial Reviews

"A very good guide, avoiding jargon and bringing concepts to life with clear explanations and concrete examples. It covers everything you need to know about 'going circular' but also goes further, reviewing criticisms and setting the bar higher."

Stephan Sicars

"This is a book for everyone in business, or who wants to shape the future of business. The circular economy is the best toolkit we have for future sustainable business and this book leads you through what it is and why so many businesses and governments are getting on board."

Tom Szaky

"Ensuring that the transition to a new economic model takes place under the best possible conditions is no easy task. Thanks to Catherine Weetman and her contributors, this book once again solidifies the foundations and reinforces the credibility of a circular economy helping us to move towards this paradigm shift that we all wish for. This is now your tool to change everything for the better. Use and reuse it, then pass on to others!"

The Circular Humansphere Alexandre Lemille

"I truly believe that awakening a taste for change - and making it happen - requires a good understanding of the circular economy while being already immersed in its practicality. It is precisely what this unique handbook does, thanks to its collection of content, its structure, and its perspective. Indeed, it provides a wealth of information gathered in one place: a straightforward way to learn fast and get inspired for your circular initiatives. It demonstrates many existing cases and strategies you might apply. You can peruse it in one go, choose a piece of a chapter that applies to your case or read it back and forth. The icing on the cake for this second version? The added chapter about packaging gives an easy-to-follow overview of this complex problem! Expert without falling into jargon, Catherine Weetman makes the Circular Economy attractive to anyone!"

Colienne Regout

"A perfect mix of theory and practical arguments to convince the reader that our future is circular. We must think differently, create new business rules, values and attitudes. With an outstanding compilation of cases, Catherine demonstrates how to find the right balance between growth, competitive advantage and value creation for all. Essential reading for political and businesses leaders, in countries like Brazil, that seek knowledge and inspiration to accelerate the transition."

Beatriz Luz

"As the world adopts strategies to address the stress that the planet is under, more organizations are realizing that their knowledge and skills need updating and developing. A key aspect of this new sustainable approach is understanding where stuff comes from, how a business uses it and what happens to stuff after its first life. This is where the circular economy comes in and this book provides a range of knowledge inputs, across a number of key sectors and uses business examples which allow any organization to develop new pathways forwards."

Dr. David Peck

"Every business leader and Universityshould include this book in their programme for the next generation of aspiring professionals. In this latest edition, Catherine provides even more case studies in the constantly evolving landscape of circular economy developments around the world. A clear and comprehensive 'must-read' for any seasoned or aspiring circular economy or supply chain professional. From electronics to food to fashion, Catherine has considered a wide range of how CE frameworks have been engaged across sectors so in whatever industry your organisation resides, there are key takeaways and learnings to help any business transition towards a more circular world. Highly recommended!"

Noreen Kam

"Catherine provides rich insight into the business opportunity of the circular economy. The Circular Economy Handbook covers various company cases and frameworks which are of great practical value to those looking for inspiration. It is a great resource for organisations aiming to close the 'idea-action gap' to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy!"

Dr Nancy Bocken

"The need for sustainable supply chain management and in particular the management of the closed loop economy (circular economy) is both topical and important. Supply chain practitioners have the challenge to not only learn and understand these new concepts but also utilize a number of tools and techniques to effectively manage their chains. This book provides a comprehensive treatment of topics influencing the circular economy across a variety of sectors and provides valuable guidance for managing supply chains. An abundance of case examples, tools and learning resources within this book will be extremely beneficial to students, academics and practitioners."

Professor Samir Dani

"This book fills a need by bringing together a wide range of insights and examples about the growing importance of the circular economy and its impact on traditional business models and the supply chain networks with which we are currently familiar. The many practical cases are supported by the very clear structure and the way that the wider context is integrated into the discussion and analysis. The author has a wealth of experience and this is evident throughout the text. This book is a major and timely contribution to improving our understanding of the circular economy and its implications for supply chain and logistics management."

Michael Browne

"Sector by sector, Catherine Weetman systemically unpicks why we need to build a circular economy and, crucially, complements this analysis to explain how we can do this."

Mike Barry

"A fascinating and insightful look at the circular economy, from laying out the history, principles and underlying concepts through to practical guidance for considering and implementing a more circular approach for any business. Transitioning to circular business models should be at the top of every organization's agenda and this book will help to stimulate and guide that change."

Innovate UK Nick Cliffe

"Catherine Weetman's ambition seems to me to be to set the agenda for businesses and their supply chains in our globalized economy, and her book, A Circular Economy Handbook for Business and Supply Chains, does just that. With elegance and flair, this book promises to open people's eyes, rewire their thinking and reset aspirations for what can be achieved by the intelligent application of these ideas. Weetman is a provocative thinker and has put together a book which will help businesses and those who lead them to stay ahead of the process of organizational adaptation and introduce real and much needed change."

Gerard Chick

"A confident, comprehensive text allowing access to all the major strands contributing to business opportunities in a circular economy. It is brimming with facts, case studies and references for further study. A very timely publication indeed!"

Ken Webster

"If you are looking for a comprehensive and practical guide to the supply chain aspects of the circular economy, this book should comfortably meet your needs. It is cleverly structured, highly informative and written in a very engaging style by one of the foremost specialists in the subject."

Professor Alan McKinnon

"The circular economy is smart, strategic thinking for profitable and purpose-led business. This book presents a catalogue of practical frameworks and inspiring examples for organizations of all sizes and shapes, in every sector, around the world."

Anna Tari

"Making the shift towards a circular economy model can be a huge challenge. Catherine's book is useful to what's needed most in this day and age: getting into action and shifting the existing paradigm. The book offers a range of insights and tools to help you make that shift, and deliver value along the way. Have fun, use it and join, please, our global community of change makers."

Harald Friedl

"When considering the change of gear from a linear to a circular economy, and the need to accelerate this transition, then this handbook delivers on all levels. A well-versed specialist, Catherine describes the themes, measurements and outcomes in a non-technical manner shining a light and giving practical guidance to implementing this change."

Steve Haskew

"This book has got it all and is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand and apply the circular economy today. The enablers, accelerators and drivers are illustrated with practical examples and applications. For an assessment of the challenges that lie ahead, read this book and learn from one of the best."

Dr Julieanna Powell-Turner

"An extremely useful handbook on the circular economy, a great reference base interweaved with a richness of case studies. It's easily digestible and bridges from theory to implementation seamlessly. I would recommend it as a go-to reference for anybody looking to learn about, or adopt, circular economy models."

Steve Smith

"Making maximum use of resources and extracting value multiple times over is at the heart of the transition to a circular economy. This handbook is perfectly timed to help businesses adapt and thrive by implementing circular economy principles and practices."

Martin Baxter

"A clearly written and accessible introduction to the development and implementation of circular thinking, with tangible and meaningful examples to help organizations and their partners making the journey towards circularity."

Dr Matthew Hunt

"Introduces the central concepts and ideas for sustainable ways of working in a clear, pragmatic manner. The many practical examples make tangible the supply chain models increasingly required to conserve scarce resources whilst supporting economic growth. Here is a handbook for change that could not be timelier."

Calum Lewis

"The circular economy is a fast-rising theme among academics and practitioners. This book consists of wide-ranging references and in-depth knowledge, which crystallizes the idea of the circular economy for implementation and research needs."

Professor Ming K Lim