Best Circular Economy

Interface is a global flooring manufacturer pioneering a circular economy model. Their 'Mission Zero' commitment aims to eliminate any negative environmental impact by 2020 (now extended with new goals). They utilize recycled materials, design for disassembly and reuse, and invest heavily in renewab...

Econyl® represents a paradigm shift in nylon production, utilizing 100% recycled waste materials, primarily discarded fishing nets and textile scraps. This closed-loop system minimizes environmental impact, reduces reliance on virgin resources, and offers performance comparable to virgin nylon. Its...

Notplas Ooho and Notpla films are revolutionizing single-use packaging with their seaweed-based composition. These films are completely biodegradable and even edible, offering a truly sustainable alternative to plastic. Ooho is a spherical water container, while Notpla films can be used for pouches...

Ecovatives Mushroom® packaging utilizes mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms, to create custom-molded protective packaging. Grown on agricultural waste, this material is completely compostable and offers excellent cushioning and insulation. Its a strong alternative to expanded polystyrene (EPS...

This guide provides a comprehensive framework for designers and brands to integrate circular design principles into the creation of textile products. It details key considerations for material selection, product design, and end-of-life management, emphasizing durability, repairability, and recyclabi...

Cradle to Cradle is an approach to design and business that challenges conventional “take-make-waste” systems. Developed by William McDonough and Michael Braungart, it promotes creating products designed for continuous circularity. This means materials are either safely composted or endlessly recycl...

TIPA offers a range of certified compostable films designed to replace traditional plastic films in flexible packaging applications. Their films provide high-barrier properties (oxygen, moisture, aroma) comparable to conventional plastics, making them suitable for food packaging, e-commerce, and oth...

LanzaTech utilizes proprietary gas fermentation technology to convert carbon emissions into useful chemicals and fuels. Instead of just capturing or sequestering CO2, they treat it as a feedstock for industrial production. This 'carbon utilization' approach creates a circular economy where waste gas...

Green building materials reduce the environmental impact of construction by utilizing renewable resources, recycled content, and low-carbon manufacturing processes. This includes materials like bamboo, recycled steel, and bio-based insulation. Increasingly important to minimize embodied carbon in b...

Ecovative Design utilizes mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms, to create sustainable packaging and materials. Their innovative process replaces traditional plastics and polystyrene with a biodegradable and compostable alternative. This technology offers a compelling solution to the plastic po...

Mud Jeans produces durable denim garments utilizing a closed-loop system where worn jeans are collected, recycled into new fabrics, and reintroduced into the production cycle, minimizing textile waste and reducing reliance on virgin materials.

Newlight Technologies produces 'AirCarbon', a carbon-negative material made from methane captured from landfills and waste sites. This or biomaterial can be used to create plastics, foams, and other materials that are durable yet biodegradable. By turning waste gas into high-performance products, th...

Ecoalf is a Spanish fashion brand with the or mission to 'make clothes from the ocean.' They use recycled fishing nets, plastic bottles, and other waste materials to create high-quality apparel. Their innovative approach addresses both marine pollution and textile waste, providing a circular solutio...

Pela Case is a protective phone case constructed from plant-based materials like flax straw and a biopolymer. It’s notable for its fully compostable design, reducing plastic waste and supporting a circular economy through a recycling program. These cases are suitable for eco-conscious consumers seek...

The Circular Game is an educational business simulation developed by Inchainge to explore circular-economy strategy and supply-chain management. Participants make interconnected operational decisions involving product design, sourcing, production, recovery, reuse, and recycling, then observe their f...

The Blue Connection is an educational business simulation developed by Inchainge around the management of a circular supply chain. Participants operate a virtual company that sells electronic products and must coordinate purchasing, production, sales, finance, and product recovery while considering...

Tiptoe is a sustainable fashion brand that focuses on circularity and transparency. They utilize recycled materials and prioritize low-impact manufacturing processes. By providing detailed traceability for every garment, they empower consumers to make informed choices while ensuring that the product...

This volume tackles the sheer volume of waste generated by modern civilization. It moves beyond simple recycling concepts to explore radical redesigns of industrial metabolism, focusing on waste as a misplaced resource. It provides solutions for everything from plastic pollution remediation to indus...

The Plant is a mixed-use development in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood, featuring residential units alongside a community center, retail spaces, and a ground-floor market hall designed to revitalize a long-struggling area.

Loop is a circular shopping platform that partners with brands to offer products in durable, reusable packaging. Customers pay a deposit for the packaging, which is collected, cleaned, and refilled, creating a closed-loop system. Loop aims to eliminate single-use packaging and promote a more sustain...

The Stella McCartney x Adidas Futurecraft Loop sneaker represents a groundbreaking achievement in sustainable footwear. Crafted entirely from recycled materials, including plastic bottles and ocean waste, its the first shoe made with a fully circular design meaning the upper and sole are designed t...