The macro-opportunities associated with implementing the circular economy are clear. Now, companies need to know how circularity will impact their business as well as specific industry or sector opportunities.

Summarizing the results of over 100 interviews and survey responses, WBCSD identified eight business cases managers can use to justify circular economy practices across the board:

Gener8: create additional revenue from existing products and processes
Innov8: spur innovation of new products and services
Moder8: reduce operating costs
Captiv8: engage customers and employees
Differenti8: distinguish from competition
Integr8: align with corporate strategy or mission
Acclim8: adapt business models and value chain relationships
Insul8: mitigate linear risk exposure
These arguments for implementing circularity are designed to be used for companies of all sizes and geographies.

Thirteen WBCSD member companies contributed to the 16 examples found in the report, including: Canon, Copersucar, Dow, DSM, Enel, Michelin, Novelis (Aditya Birla Group), Philips, Renault-Nissan, Stora Enso, Suez, Tata Group and Veolia. Lyft, TerraCycle and mjunction (Tata joint venture) also provided examples as non-member contributors.

The report builds on recent circular economy momentum from the organization’s CEO Guide and Practitioner Guide to the circular economy.

Over the next six months WBCSD will develop industry-specific deep dives on the circular economy, kick-off its project of circular metrics, begin the next phase of Roadmap for Reducing Ocean Waste (ROW) program and consolidate member company policy asks for accelerating the circular transition.

Stay tuned for updates and see WBCSD’s other circular economy resources, including:

CEO guide to the circular economy
Circular economy and environmental priorities for business
Business guide to circular water management
The business case for reducing ocean waste
Practitioner guide to the circular economy