Resources & Publications

This report from the SWITCH to Circular Economy Value Chains (SWITCH2CE) program focuses on key global value chains in Morocco, Bangladesh, and Egypt. It highlights opportunities for integrating circular practices in plastic packaging, textiles, and ICT sectors to boost competitiveness and sustainability.

By addressing current challenges and analysing case studies from Morocco, Bangladesh, and Egypt, the report offers solutions such as shifting to bioplastics and improving recycling systems. The circular economy not only helps mitigate environmental impacts but also enhances innovation and competitiveness, particularly for producers in lower-income countries. Through strategies of regeneration, reduction and reuse, the report outlines pathways for creating resilient, sustainable value chains that are crucial for future global markets.

This report presents the findings from a review of definitions, databases, methods and models that are used globally today to measure or model employment in the circular economy. The review outlined in this report was led by Circle Economy, with technical inputs from teams at the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Bank Group (WBG) in close partnership and with support from Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE).

This review lays the groundwork for a global report with the first authoritative global modelled estimates of employment in the circular economy, which will be produced under the Initiative from 2024 to 2025. It was produced under Jobs in the Circular Economy, a joint initiative of the ILO, Circle Economy and the WBG, which aims to put data and practical tools in the hands of policymakers and decision-makers to inform and support pathways towards more socially fair and just environmental and economic policies and interventions.

This white paper is designed to enhance understanding of the informal sector’s role within the circular economy—a group of actors that are often overlooked. Additionally, it aims to foster dialogue on how to empower informal workers and their collaborators, particularly social entrepreneurs, in advancing circular practices. It is based on insights recorded from a series of learning circles—generative conversations that involve genuine inquiry and sharing, leading to expanded understanding and shared meaning. They brought together social entrepreneurs, Ashoka Fellows, UNDP Labbers, and other stakeholders.

The goal of the Design for Transformation (D4T) pilot was to demonstrate a system of technologies capable of processing mixed textile waste, while generating biomimetic outputs based on textile waste streams arising in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

As the result of the pilot project, cellulosic component of the mixed textile sample was successfully converted into glucose through enzymatic hydrolysis. The textile-derived glucose was not only found to be comparable to commercial grade glucose in performance, but in some cases outperformed it. The residual stream from the enzymatic hydrolysis step contained primarily synthetic fibres, such as polyester and nylon, as well as some remaining cellulose due to incomplete hydrolysis. This stream was successfully gasified into syngas.

This report contains the pilot’s experimental setup and results.

This study commissioned and led by UNESCO-UNEVOC, analyses the main barriers and enablers to mainstreaming aspects of the circular economy in the curricula and training of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions and developing the knowledge and skills needed to make the value chain of jobs and occupations circular. The goal is to inform and push the global discourse towards enhancing TVET’s contribution to the green transition and spotlight lessons relevant to the international TVET community.

The study examined TVET curriculum planning and delivery in three countries: Ghana, Kenya and South Africa. It involved a sample size of 27 different actors, relevant bodies and institutions of TVET that helped estimate the current status quo and identify areas of future action.

The study reveals four key factors that play a crucial role in driving the integration of skills and competencies for the circular economy in TVET: 1) policy and regulatory frameworks, 2) industry engagement and partnerships, 3) curriculum development and updates, and 4) TVET authorities and industry stakeholders working together to identify and encourage public and private investment in TVET.

Ensuring economic and social development without exceeding our planetary boundaries is an important challenge of the 21^st century. Circular economy represents a transformative systemic approach to addressing this challenge. 

Discover “A shared MDB’s Vision for the Circular Economy” presented by AfDB, EBRD, EIB, and World Bank Group during the World Circular Economy Forum 2024. Circularity is important for advancing the sustainable and just development agenda. This document articulates how these MDBs are dedicated to helping public and private sector stakeholders to introduce circular economy approaches. They are drawing on their cross-sectoral experience, technical assistance and advisory services to support existing and pioneering solutions for circular economy approaches.

The Circularity Gap Report 2024 highlighted the importance of the circular economy as a means for Build and Grow countries, broadly equivalent to low- and middle income countries, to address both socioeconomic and environmental objectives. This briefing emphasises that reforming international financial architecture is an essential step to enable a fairer and more accessible financing environment that Build and Grow countries can use to pursue circular investments.

This policy brief also demonstrates how governments can be more strategic with public spending, ultimately to embrace the circular economy and achieve sustainable development objectives.

Drawing on the findings of the Circularity Gap Report 2024, this briefing outlines the key policy measures for EU Member States and Members of European Parliament (MEPs) to advance the circular economy agenda and boost job opportunities. This includes pushing for the introduction of circular economy interventions as an enabler of the just, green transition, and expanding the scope and reach of the Just Transition Fund. It also calls on Member States to develop tailored policies and programmes to support workers.

As one of the world’s top ten exporters of used textiles, the Netherlands is a key player in the complex networks of worn clothing around the world. In 2022, 248,000 tonnes of used textiles were exported from the Netherlands, totalling more than €193 million. 

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This report—Destinations of Dutch Used Textiles: Uses and Risks after Export— explores what happens to textiles collected in the Netherlands in their various destination countries and highlights the impacts and risks associated with these exports as well as how they are addressed. 

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This study aims at empowering the government and value chain stakeholders to better contribute to the creation of a circular and fair value chain for post-consumer textiles.