Circularity Toolkit
Challenge
The Sustainable Growth Coalition operates with the shared understanding that a circular economy is a thriving economic system that values and preserves all types of capital: financial, natural, manufactured, human, and social. In this system nothing is lost or wasted, and all resources and talents are utilized to their highest potential.
In a circular economy, inputs such as natural resources, goods, and services are used in a cyclical fashion to continue serving our social, environmental, and economic needs. A circular economy cannot be achieved without systems change—reinforcing the connectedness of people, nature, business, and communities. A broad view of a systems acknowledges that relationships and power structures influence the complex steps leading to transformational outcomes.
Well-known levers of change that result in scaling-up toward transformational change include demonstrating scale and viability of the market and enabling market acceleration.
Result
The Circularity Toolkit offers examples of multi-national corporations investing in circularity with global implications. Other examples are shared by small-to-medium-sized businesses actively integrating circular principles to meet regional needs. The organizational representatives highlighted in the case studies are thought leaders in sustainability. The result of a circular economy is a continuous positive development cycle that decouples economic growth from resource constraints.
Process
The case studies in the Circularity Toolkit highlight successful organizations which understand that no problem is isolated, comprehensive solutions mitigate risks, and action builds more resilient economies.
Business Values of a Circular Economy
- Reduce operational and supply chain costs and risks.
- Create new business models, products, and services.
- Meet demand from customers, investors, and employees.
- Drive economic growth and regional prosperity.
- Develop, attract, and retain talent.
- Address systemic issues impacting business including equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- Improve racial, economic, social, and public health outcomes.
Share Your Results
Tell your organization’s story of achieving substantial positive impact in pursuit of the circular economy. What questions have been asked, solutions tested, and results verified? Add your case study and results to the Circularity Toolkit.
Circularity Toolkit Case Studies
The Circularity Toolkit prepared by members of the Sustainable Growth Coalition offers examples of multi-national corporations investing in circularity with global implications and small-to-medium-sized businesses actively integrating circular principles to meet regional needs.
Corporate Guide to Sustainable Landscaping
Leading businesses and organizations are capturing value by turning corporate properties and potentially under-valued landscapes into productive, biologically diverse areas.
C.H Robinson: Calculating carbon emissions for sustainable supply chains
Sustainable Growth Coalition member C.H. Robinson’s recent efforts include Emissions IQ to help customers track their supply chain's transportation emissions and carbon footprint.
HealthPartners: Promoting circularity and building a business case
At HealthPartners, the secret sauce for achieving circularity is in senior leadership support, strategic partnerships, accountability, and a strong connection to its mission.
Sustainability News
Our Sustainable Growth Coalition quarterly newsletter highlights active projects, success stories, ways to get involved, events to attend, and news about Minnesota’s global leaders in sustainability.
Sustainable Growth Coalition Blogs
The Sustainable Growth Coalition is embracing nature-based solutions
Experts Ted Carling and Will Nielson from Ecotone Analytics recently joined an SGC learning lab to provide insight on how nature-based solutions can be used to build thriving and resilient ecosystems.
Sustainable Growth Coalition hosts deconstruction tour and embodied carbon learning lab
The Sustainable Growth Coalition hosted an embodied carbon deep dive on Sept. 21. Panelists discussed challenges with embodied carbon in the Upper Midwest, opportunities for improving emissions, and equity improvements from building decarbonization.
Rethinking campus sustainability: A panel discussion recap
The use of offices and corporate campuses has changed considerably over the past three years. How are sustainability programs adapting? Allison Egan, HealthPartners; Marc Olson, Allianz Life; and Fred Rozumalski, Barr Engineering share their perspective and experiences.