circular economy | The Guardian

Skip to main content

Can incineration and landfills save us from the recycling crisis?

In many parts of the US, it now costs more to recycle old plastic than to make new products. So what are the alternatives for getting rid of our waste?

Can incineration and landfills save us from the recycling crisis?
Nestlé, if you care about the environment what's with your disposable coffee cups?

Hannah Gould

Nescafé’s one-use cups are aimed at busy commuters who want cheap on-the-go coffee, but we already have reusable cups for that

Nestlé, if you care about the environment what's with your disposable coffee cups?

Florida brewery creates edible beer holders to save marine life

Discarded plastic six-pack rings trap and kill fish and other sea life. Could holders made from wheat and barley be an animal-friendly alternative?

Florida brewery creates edible beer holders to save marine life
The Rotterdam couple that will live in a house made from waste

Two architects are building a house with bricks made from old construction waste produced by Dutch startup StoneCycling

The Rotterdam couple that will live in a house made from waste
Tampons aren't for toilets: biodegradable bag hopes to fight the flushers

Around 9.3 million women use tampons in the UK, but we don’t often speak about how we dispose of them

Tampons aren't for toilets: biodegradable bag hopes to fight the flushers
Fish net bikinis and mushroom death suits – eco fashion in pictures

From selling clothes with a 30 year guarantee to touring Europe in a repair shop - these brands are advancing the circular economy within fashion

Fish net bikinis and mushroom death suits – eco fashion in pictures

The European circular economy package – what the experts think

The European commission put bold plans to scrap waste on hold last year, but is preparing to present a new and improved proposal

The European circular economy package – what the experts think
How to bust the biggest myths about the circular economy

Tired of being told the circular economy is just a fancy term for recycling that will cause profits to slump? Here’s how to fight back

How to bust the biggest myths about the circular economy
Circular economy could bring 70 percent cut in carbon emissions by 2030

Anders Wijkman

The circular economy offers opportunities to boost jobs and tackle climate change, according to study on Sweden by The Club of Rome

Circular economy could bring 70 percent cut in carbon emissions by 2030

From oil use to ocean pollution: five facts about the plastics industry

A new report released at Davos highlights some startling facts about the huge environmental and resource impacts of a fast growing plastics industry

From oil use to ocean pollution: five facts about the plastics industry
Hidden problem of 'ghost gear': the abandoned fishing nets clogging up oceans

A new global initiative founded by World Animal Protection hopes to tackle the problem that’s killing animals and costing business

Hidden problem of 'ghost gear': the abandoned fishing nets clogging up oceans
Why cigarette butts threaten to stub out marine life

With cigarette filters made up of tiny pieces of plastic capable of causing untold damage to marine life, banning them could be one answer

Why cigarette butts threaten to stub out marine life
The surfing companies making waves with sustainable design

Finisterre and Riz Boardshorts are taking action against marine litter, from recycled surfing gear to compostable packaging

The surfing companies making waves with sustainable design

How much do you know about the circular economy? - quiz

Think you know your facts on the circular economy? Put your knowledge to the test and share your scores with us @GuardianSustBiz

How much do you know about the circular economy? - quiz
Circular economy inspires young people to change the world

From an aquaponics start-up to a pop up hospital design, schools and universities are engaging with circular economy principles

Circular economy inspires young people to change the world

Disney World's biogas facility: a model for converting food waste into energy

As the US generates 35m tons of food waste yearly, biodigesters could be big business. Harvest Power hopes to crack the code

Disney World's biogas facility: a model for converting food waste into energy
Berlin duo launch a supermarket with no packaging

Shrink-wrapped shallots and polystyrene-packed peppers are a thing of the past at Original Unverpackt, a German concept store selling groceries without the packaging

Berlin duo launch a supermarket with no packaging
Waste-free, Willy Wonka packaging is coming but are consumers ready for it?

From edible water bottles to yoghurt encased in fruit flavoured skins, the packaging industry is getting creative, but psychological barriers persist

Waste-free, Willy Wonka packaging is coming but are consumers ready for it?
Three ways we will build the cities of the future from waste

From collecting aluminium once used in skyscrapers to building houses with self-healing cement and turning bottles into bricks

Three ways we will build the cities of the future from waste

Popular in business
Popular across the guardian

Guardian sustainable business Hitachi and Canon not doing enough to tackle forced labour, says new report

Tech companies are vulnerable to modern slavery in their supply chains. A new benchmarking report says many must do more to address it

Hitachi and Canon not doing enough to tackle forced labour, says new report
Guardian sustainable business Green homes: would you pay more for energy and water efficiency?

A new tool will make it easier for home buyers and renters to understand energy efficiency but will it make a difference to their purchasing decisions?

Green homes: would you pay more for energy and water efficiency?
Guardian sustainable business Our new alliance unites 600m city dwellers in fight against climate change

Michael Bloomberg and Maroš Šefčovič

Cities are huge carbon emitters but are ideally placed to tackle climate change. Michael Bloomberg on how the Global Covenant can give them the tools to do so

Our new alliance unites 600m city dwellers in fight against climate change
Guardian sustainable business Will Uber and Grab help or hinder Malaysia's congestion crisis?

The spread of car-sharing may encourage more people to ditch their vehicles in cities like Kuala Lumpur where public transport has failed

Will Uber and Grab help or hinder Malaysia's congestion crisis?