Is scaling the circular economy possible in the U.S. today? And, if so, how do individuals and local municipalities find inspiration around such a daunting goal?

To simply define the system: A circular economy is one in which there is no (or very limited) waste, and all systems regenerate.

To answer the question of whether scaling such a system is possible, I start with the simple belief that it is. This is how nature works across the board, and consumer brands are catching on as well as they market to consumers, highlighting their sustainability commitments. One entity’s willingness to plant the seed of possibility is all that is required to inspire the inventive solutions that arise to meet our most intractable challenges.

Even in the ever-shifting global landscape, progress toward a more circular world is happening. The E.U. adopted its first Circular Economy Action plan in 2024, marking the widespread embrace of an idea once relegated to the periphery and standing in contrast to the traditional, linear model of take-make-dispose.

Action drives change

Now, turning to my second question: how do sometimes beleaguered local residents or municipal leaders find inspiration for these changes? The answer is through observation. By looking around, we can see that while there are many initiatives that require somewhat limiting necessities—such as infrastructure, policy support or penalties—there are also others that can start simply, in a single store or neighborhood, and spread from there.

While landfilling may still be more economical where you live or work (potentially challenging adoption of circular economy models), everyone can find a way to disrupt this linear model in critical ways. On an individual basis, people can make personal commitments or band together with like-minded neighbors to find inspiration and evolve current processes. For those who work in government, the spark of the idea can also start with you, pushing for new programs on a community level. Just as belief in the possibility of such a system originates with a single person, so does the action that drives change.

Pioneering programs

The following are five examples of circular economy concepts in action that can offer inspiration for pioneering thinkers in communities anywhere.

1. Bottle-to-bottle return

There are currently 10 U.S. states with recycling refund legislation for single-use containers. But even in those that do not have it, manufacturers can still lead the way with more sustainable bottle-to-bottle reuse. As one small-scale example, Ronnybrook Farm Dairy packages its milk in sturdy quart glass with a $2 deposit. It is a simple idea, but it works, as nothing can beat a financial incentive for motivating behavior. Lead acid battery deposits net 99 percent return rates nationally. The financial incentive to re-use is well demonstrated.

2. Refilleries

There are more than 1,000 refill stores in the U.S. and counting, including The Callicoon Pantry, where consumers can bring their own containers to refill things like laundry soap, olive oil or chocolate chips. Even during the pandemic, refilleries were able to stay operative by shifting to filling containers for their customers. LitterLess has a state-by-state shopping location guide that is a nice listing of zero-waste stores.

3. Fiber sharing

With the apparel industry contributing approximately 10 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, making strides toward a circular economy in this context is critical.  Consider ThredUp, where consumers are paid to return their clothes to the secondhand market, and Rent the Runway, where consumers cost-share through limited-duration single-use rentals. At the community level, evaluate options: e.g., place a Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles (SMART) textile collection bin in your town. 

With 85 percent of textiles still being landfilled every day, there is a lot to do. We are standing on tradition here: SMART, aka the Association of Wiping Materials, Used Clothing and Fiber Industries, has been operating since 1932.

4. Apps

With organic waste ranking as the largest contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, a myriad of apps have arisen to encourage zero food waste. This typically means moving potential food waste from restaurants/grocery stores to people in need rather than simply tossing these items within the usual 24-hour period. Many apps are free or low-cost, easy to start and able to be implemented in small and large areas alike. ChowMatch for instance is free and available for use in 700 communities in the following areas: northern California (San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa, Humboldt, Sonoma, Monterey, Sacramento and Stanislaus counties); southern California (Los Angeles, Orange, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino and Kern counties); Maryland (Montgomery County and parts of nearby Baltimore, Prince George’s, Fairfax, and Washington counties); New York (Hudson Valley); North Carolina (City of Charlotte, Buncombe County and Madison County); Kansas (Riley County); and Central Illinois.

A proven path

So, first believe that it is possible, then look around to find what inspires you, and make it happen today. We must move rapidly to mirror what we know works from nature. The circular economy is the well proven path for the future.

Jennifer Porter, a principal consultant at Raftelis, is a planning leader with more than 23 years of experience in government and private sector sustainability, circularity, and solid waste/sustainable materials management initiatives. She can be reached at 845/481-1321 or email jporter@raftelis.com.