R2π – Transition from Linear to Circular is a European Union Horizon 2020 project focused on enabling organisations and their value chains to transition towards more viable, sustainable and competitive economic models. Indeed, the current linear economic model of produce – use – dispose, ultimately destroys much of the value that has been created in manufacturing processes. When considering the beginning of the value-chain, raw material sourcing, and the end, disposal, it is clear that in the medium-term, the EU cannot continue importing and land-filling at today’s rate; hence a paradigm shift with regard to an economic model of production and consumption based on circularity needs to be demonstrably realisable and thus offer a credible pathway to achieving sustainable environmental development and its corollaries, social and economic welfare.
The objective of R2π is to identify successful approaches to achieve a circular economy and thereby position the EU as a world leader in this domain. In particular, R2π examines Circular Economy Business Models (CEBM) as levers for the Circular Economy (CE), demonstrating both which barriers are faced, as well as which enablers exist, for their adoption. Concurrently, R2π examined the policy environment, both at the EU-level (especially with regards to the EU CE Action plan) as well as at the national level, which also act as barriers and enablers of the circular economy. A major outcome of this policy investigation was to recommend “policy packages”, combinations of policies that work together to overcome CE barriers, while enabling CEBMs.
It is intended that the widespread implementation of a circular economy based on successful business models, supported by effective policies, shall reduce environmental impact and maximise social welfare, while ensuring economic development. In a resource-constrained world, circularity pursues greater and more effective use of resources and thereby ought to lead to benefits for producers, consumers and other stakeholders at large.
It was requested of R2π to analyse CEBM in 5 priority sectors in the EU, as designated in their EU CE Action plan: Plastics, Food waste, Critical raw materials (including electronics), Bio-based materials, and Construction, and R2π further added water a 6th key sector.
