19 circular economy examples that redefine consumption

If you think the future of consumption is all about more, more, more—think again. The circular economy is flipping that script by focusing on less waste and more reuse. 

Imagine a world where what’s old can be made new again and where the products you love are designed to live more than just one life. Intrigued? Here are 20 circular economy examples that show how companies are redefining the way we consume.

Heads up, most of these are from Denmark. Way to go to them!

1. Industrial symbiosis

In Denmark, 25 companies are working together to share surplus materials like water and energy to cut waste and save money.

2. Danish deposit and return system

Recycling is made easy. Denmark’s deposit return system ensures that 93% of drink cans and bottles come back for reuse. Bonus: it saves 95% of the energy it would take to make new containers.

3. Circle House

This groundbreaking social housing project allows 90% of its materials to be reused. Want to take apart a house like a LEGO set? That’s pretty much the idea here.

4. Re-Match (Recycling artificial turf)

Even worn-out synthetic grass gets a second chance with Re-Match’s tech, which separates turf into raw components to be reused—no more landfill-bound fields.

5. Wind turbine blade recycling

Old wind turbines don’t have to go to waste. Danish companies recycle their massive blades into new glass fibers, giving them a second life in new products.

6. Old bricks, new tricks (Gamle Mursten)

In Denmark, old bricks aren’t trash—they’re treasure. This company uses a patented cleaning method to recycle bricks, saving energy and cutting down on carbon emissions in construction.

7. Reusable food packaging (Plus Pack)

Ditch the single-use plastic. This circular packaging model for food products can be cleaned and reused over and over, keeping your lunch sustainable and fresh.

8. IKEA’s buy-back program

IKEA isn’t just selling furniture; it’s taking it back too. Their buy-back scheme lets you return used furniture for store credit, and the items are then resold or recycled.

9. Burger King’s reusable packaging

You know those burger wrappers? Now, they’re reusable. In select locations, Burger King is trialing packaging that customers return for cleaning, keeping fast food from producing fast waste.

10. Thousand Fell shoe recycling

This sneaker brand not only makes shoes from sustainable materials but also lets you send them back for recycling—and rewards you with a discount on your next pair.

11. Fairphone (modular smartphones)

Meet the phone you can fix. Fairphone’s modular design allows users to easily replace parts, extending the phone’s life and reducing the need for constant upgrades.

12. Interface’s recycled carpets

Carpets made from old fishing nets? That’s Interface’s game. They use discarded nets and other waste materials to create new carpets, cleaning up the oceans and your floors.

13. Patagonia’s Worn Wear program

Patagonia has mastered the art of recycling with its Worn Wear program, letting customers trade in old gear for store credit. The items are then resold, keeping jackets and boots in use.

14. HP’s ink cartridge recycling

Think your printer cartridges are one and done? HP doesn’t. They recycle old cartridges into new ones, keeping waste down and resources in play.

15. Philips’ “Light as a Service”

Forget buying lightbulbs. Philips’ circular lighting service lets customers lease lighting systems, with the company handling maintenance and recycling at the end of their lifecycle.

16. Mud Jeans (Lease a Jeans program)

Own fewer jeans. Mud Jeans offers a lease program where customers rent jeans and then return them after a year to be recycled or upcycled into new pairs.

17. Library of Things

Who needs to buy a drill for that one-time project? Library of Things lets you borrow items like tools and appliances, promoting a culture of access over ownership.

18. Adidas and Parley for the Oceans

Adidas has partnered with Parley to turn ocean plastic into high-performance shoes and apparel, proving that trash from the sea can be a treasure for your feet.

19. Terracycle’s recycling solutions

From toothbrushes to snack wrappers, Terracycle takes items that are hard to recycle and turns them into something new, helping brands close the loop on waste.

Key takeaways

From old sneakers to wind turbine blades, these companies are rethinking consumption from every angle. The circular economy isn’t just a buzzword—it’s becoming a new standard for how we design, use, and reuse everything around us. As more brands jump on board, it’s clear that the future of consumption is about closing the loop and finding endless possibilities in what we used to throw away.