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In the last century we have seen an unprecedented increase in the use of natural resources and materials. Global raw material use rose at almost twice the rate of population growth. The OECD finds that efficient use of resources and furthering the transition to a circular economy can help not only material security, but improve environmental and economic outcomes as well.

 

The project

The OECD “Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy” (RE-CIRCLE) project provides policy guidance on resource efficiency and the transition to a circular economy. It aims to identify and quantify the impact of resource-efficient, circular economy policies to guide a range of stakeholders in OECD member countries and emerging market economies through quantitative and qualitative analysis.   The project is embedded in on-going work by the OECD on resource efficiency and the transition to a circular economy. This brochure includes results from the RE-CIRCLE project as well as from some of the major other recent OECD publications that directly relate to the topic.   The RE-CIRCLE project is structured around two complementary work packages toward sound evidence-based policy recommendations. The first workstream uses qualitative analysis on selected topics to guide policies to further the transition to the circular economy. The second workstream uses global environment-economy modelling to project the impacts of resource.

Brochure (PDF)

latest papers

• Synergies and trade-offs in the transition to a resource-efficient and circular economy | December 2022
• Deposit-refund systems and the interplay with additional mandatory extended producer responsibility policies | December 2022
• Securing reverse supply chains for a resource efficient and circular economy | September 2022
• Quantifying environmentally relevant and circular plastic innovation: Historical trends, current landscape and the role of policy | September 2022
• Monitoring trade in plastic waste and scrap | April 2022
• Digitalisation for the transition to a resource efficient and circular economy | March 2022

 

POLICY HIGHLIGHTS

Business Models for the Circular Economy (PDF)	Extended Producer Responsibility and the Impact of Online Sales (PDF)
International Trade and the Transition to a Circular Economy (PDF)	Government Support for Primary and Secondary Metal Production (PDF)

ON-GOING WORK STrEAMS

1. Quantitative analysis

The quantitative work stream investigates the interlinkages between materials use and economic activity. Modelling tools are used to examine plausible long-term trends in global materials use and assess the macroeconomic implications of policies to stimulate resource efficiency and the transition to a circular economy. These core assessments are complemented by more detailed analysis. Current work focuses on labour markets and international trade consequences of circular economy policies 

 

2. Qualitative policy guidance

The qualitative work stream covers specific economic policy instruments, the potential influence of digital innovation, assessments of particular material resources and food security, the role and effects of circular business models on the environment, and resource efficiency in global value chains. Plastics are given particular attention, as they are one of the major material waste streams where circularity is less developed and leakage into the environment is putting marine eco-systems at risk.

PUBLICATIONS

• Synergies and trade-offs in the transition to a resource-efficient and circular economy | 2022
• Monitoring trade in plastic waste and scrap | 2022
• Digitalisation for the transition to a resource efficient and circular economy | 2022
• Modulated fees for Extended Producer Responsibility schemes (EPR) | 2021
• Labelling and Information Schemes for the Circular Economy | 2021
• Policies to Reduce Microplastics Pollution in Water | 2021
• G20 report: Towards a more resource-efficient and circular economy - The role of the G20 | 2021
• International trade and circular economy - Policy alignment | 2021
• Policy Scenarios for a transition to a more resource efficient and circular economy | 2021
• The jobs potential of a transition towards a resource efficient and circular economy | 2020
• Improving Resource Efficiency and the Circularity of Economies for a Greener World | 2020
• The Consequences of a More Resource Efficient and Circular Economy for International Trade Patterns | 2020
• Labour Market Consequences of a Transition to a Circular Economy | 2020
• Business Models for the Circular Economy: Opportunities and Challenges for Policy | 2019 
• Global Material Resources Outlook to 2060: Economic Drivers and Environmental Consequences | 2019
• Improving Markets for Recycled Plastics: Trends, Prospects and Policy Responses | 2018
• International Trade and the Transition to a More Resource Efficient and Circular Economy | 2018
• Mapping Support for Primary and Secondary Metal Production | 2018
• The Macroeconomics of the Circular Economy Transition | 2018
• Policy Guidance on Resource Efficiency  | 2016
• Extended Producer Responsibility: Updated Guidance for Efficient Waste Management  | 2016

 

PAST EVENTS

• The Economics of the Circular Economy Transition – The case of Chile, online | 5 December 2022 
• OECD & South Africa Workshop: Ensuring economic, social and environmental gains of a circular economy transition, Pretoria and online | 21-22 November 2022 
• OECD session: The Role of Trade in the Circular Economy Transition, at WTO Trade and Environment Week | 22 October 2022
• OECD at World Circular Economy Forum 2021- Towards a Mutually Supportive Trade and Circular Economy Agenda | 2021
• OECD WCEF Side event: Labour implications of the circular economy transition | 2020
• OECD at World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) - Towards a Mutually Supportive Trade and Circular Economy Agenda | 2021
• OECD Workshop on Reducing Marine Plastic Litter: Taking Stock of Current Policies and Paving the Way Towards Longer Term Goals l 2020
• OECD Workshop on Microplastics from Tyre Wear: Knowledge, Mitigation Measures, and Policy Options l 2020
• OECD Workshop on International Trade and the Circular Economy l 2020
• OECD at the World Circular Economy Forum | Yokohama, 2018
• OECD Global Forum on the Environment: Plastics in a Circular Economy - Design of Sustainable Plastics from a Chemical Perspective | Copenhagen, 2018

 

Further reading

• CIRCLE project: Costs of Inaction and Resource scarcity: Consequences for Long-term Economic growth
• Programme on resource productivity and waste
• Programme on environment-economy modelling
• Programme on trade, resource efficiency and circular economy
• Key reports: OECD Environmental Outlooks
• Blogs and articles on the environment

 

THE TEAM

The RE-CIRCLE work is led by the Environment and Economy Integration Division in the OECD Environment Directorate. For more information, contact:

• Shardul Agrawala, Head of Division
• Peter Borkey, Senior Economist
• Rob Dellink, Senior Economist

 

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