Welcome to the
Circular Supply Chain Network
Where circular supply chain geeks unite to create a better future
Today, supply chains are mostly linear.
This means we take materials from the planet,
...we use them for some time,
...and then decide they no longer have value,
and it becomes waste.
A big turning point in creating the linear economy was an illegal meeting about light bulbs.
It was 1924 and lightbulb makers faced bankruptcy because they couldn't sell enough...
...so they decided to limit the life of the lightbulb to increase inventory turns.
As far as we know, this is the first time "planned obsolescence" was ever used.
It's the idea of planning waste into our economy and into our customers' experiences.
As they say, timing is everything.
Henry Ford's ideas of mass production were happening at this same time, reducing the cost of goods.
A lot of good came from this.
People became healthier and lived longer.
But all of this also led to mass consumption.
And while more people could afford more, the items that they bought aren't used all the time.
This approach to using more materials, for less time, fuels the linear economy.
Take - Make - Waste
And this has grown so that each year, 100 billion tons of material enters our global economy.
Most comes from the planet.
Under 10% comes from other supply chains.
And now for the zinger.
We're running out.
It might sound nuts, but these dark spots show less than 50 years' worth of materials.
Which is one reason commodity prices have been on the rise.
And who brings all those 100 billion tons of materials into the economy every year?
We do.
The choices we make in supply chain matter.
And instead of choosing linear operations, we can choose circular ones.
This means taking less from the planet,
...and having more tomorrow than we have today.
Circular Supply Chains are different in four major ways.
Reduce and Maximize Resources
Supply chains are shorter, and we repair more than we build new.
Secondary and Renewable Inputs
Materials come from other supply chains or from renewable sources.
Generate only value streams
Waste streams are eliminated, then monetized through new customers.
Interconnected systems, even more than today
Materials stay in use longer, and we share a lot of data about those materials.
Circular Supply Chains reduce and maximize resource use by using secondary and renewable inputs to generate value through interconnected systems.
Learn more at the Members Circle
Access learning content about circular supply chains and hear from those doing the work at a space we call the Members Circle. It's for Members of the Circular Supply Chain Network, which is free to join.
The Circular Supply Chain Network is a global community of circular supply chain geeks, passionate about accelerating the transition to circular operations.
We educate, connect and innovate for circular supply chains that are good for the environment, society, business and innovation.
Join Us
In 2024, we will gather in working groups dedicated to tackling one part of circular supply chains. Join us!
Learning Resources
Find out our take on this new way to look at the profession we love over at the Members Circle.
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Our team of volunteers come from many backgrounds, industries, and countries.
Volunteer with our team!
We love circular supply chains!
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The Circular Supply Chain Network is a registered nonprofit as part of the Interweave accelerator at Sustainable Seattle.
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Volunteer with our team!
We love circular supply chains!
Thought Leadership
Presentations and Podcasts
Learning Resources
Advisory Services
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