# Circular economy ## Accelerating a circular global economy to promote sustainable growth Our linear economic system consumes 75% more resources annually than the Earth can regenerate. Only 7.2% of used materials are reintegrated, highlighting the inefficiency of our production and consumption model. In contrast, a circular economy promotes sustainable growth and resource conservation. With 2.01 billion tonnes of waste produced yearly, transitioning to a circular model can minimize waste and emissions, while offering $4.5 trillion in global economic opportunities by 2030. ## NewAI Innovation for Resilient Supply Chains A call for integrated, next-generation solutions that harness AI and advanced technologies to redesign supply chain architectures, enhance resilience and adaptability, reduce systemic fragmentation and dependencies and strengthen reliability amid geopolitical, climate and technological disruption. [Apply here](https://initiatives.weforum.org/api/communities/v1/public/initiatives/site/page-redirect?initiative_id=23ded092-7310-4cd0-92d4-e579a0dedff7&page_id=214394ca-42e4-442e-a839-03356df284a8) ### Collaborating for impact In 2023, UpLink and the Forum’s Centre for Nature and Climate partnered with Accenture to advance circular innovation. This collaboration has since evolved into a new innovation ecosystem focused on applying artificial intelligence to strengthen supply chain resilience. By convening early-stage innovators, corporates, policymakers and experts, the partnership identifies scalable AI solutions, supports responsible adoption and translates innovation into practical guidance that helps organizations anticipate, adapt to and manage growing supply chain disruptions. [Get involved](https://airtable.com/app814Rdy2J9p3KRD/pagnVRVGoFKfpBDnX/form?prefill_Form+Source=UpLink_Website&hide_Form+Source=true&hide_Challenge=true&prefill_[LR]+Identified+Sources=Lead+form&hide_[LR]+Identified+Sources=true) ## Scaling Traceability Innovation to Unlock the Value of Informal Waste Management Guided by insights from industry, innovators and policymakers, this paper examines how traceability innovations make waste flows visible, empower informal workers and enable smarter investment and policy decisions. It also presents a practical framework and roadmap for scaling impact through shared digital infrastructure and multi-stakeholder collaboration. [Read the report >](https://www.weforum.org/publications/scaling-traceability-innovation-to-unlock-the-value-of-informal-waste-management/) ## Food Loss Prevention Playbook This playbook highlights the urgent need to address food loss and waste across the global food system, emphasizing technology and improved tracking as key enablers of change. It explores how innovation can enhance supply chain efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and build more resilient food systems. Designed as a call to action, the report encourages collaboration between industry leaders and innovators to scale solutions that prevent waste, unlock value,and drive lasting impact. [Read the report >](https://weforum.box.com/s/31ab72lpw8eskn5n8ha77l0yogvkso4u) ## A global ecosystem UpLink builds innovation ecosystems that help early-stage, purpose-driven entrepreneurs scale solutions for markets and economies vital to a resilient, sustainable and prosperous future. UpLink Ventures operate across regions worldwide. *Interactive visualization or embedded content* *Interactive visualization or embedded content* ## PartnersThematic funder *Partner organizations and sponsors* ## Ecosystem partners ## Members *Browse and filter community members* [Explore ecosystem partners](https://uplink.weforum.org/organizations#subcommunities=Circular%20Economy&membershipCategory=Ecosystem%20Partner&sortBy=name&orderBy=asc) # VENTURE SPOTLIGHTCleanHub: Combating plastic pollution through sustainable waste management CleanHub is dedicated to combating plastic pollution through sustainable waste management solutions. By partnering with businesses and communities, it creates local networks for collecting, sorting and recycling plastic. Committed to the circular economy, CleanHub promotes upcycling and responsible practices, empowering stakeholders to take meaningful action against plastic waste. With a vision for a cleaner future, the company advocates for environmental stewardship and collaborates on initiatives that contribute to a sustainable planet. [Explore UpLink Ventures](https://uplink.weforum.org/organizations#subcommunities=Circular%20Economy&membershipCategory=Venture&sortBy=name&orderBy=asc) ## Past Innovation Challenges ### Traceability for Circularity Challenge A global call for data and traceability solutions that provide business insights on value chain data and/or bring value to new circular business models focusing on common everyday materials and consumer goods. [Meet the winners](https://initiatives.weforum.org/api/communities/v1/public/initiatives/site/page-redirect?initiative_id=23ded092-7310-4cd0-92d4-e579a0dedff7&page_id=49f5b9c7-d99d-4bd3-b141-f6ee663e102a) ### The Circulars Accelerator 2023 A six-month accelerator program for early- to growth-stage companies advancing the global transition to a more circular economy through innovation. [Meet the winners](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcMM8mOHb_Y) ### The Circulars Accelerator 2022 A six-month accelerator program for early- to growth-stage companies advancing the global transition to a more circular economy through innovation. [Meet the winners](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsVveWPe2fw) ### The Circulars 2021 A six-month accelerator program for early- to growth-stage companies advancing the global transition to a more circular economy through innovation. [Meet the winners](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXcsFuJ-_kk) ## Explore solutions and insights ### This company makes supply chains more transparent and circular [Watch](https://youtu.be/XVTJVZeN_L4) ### This start-up is making supply chains more ethical and sustainable [Watch](https://youtu.be/WO1xtcptVkk) ### This Brazilian start-up helps companies track their climate goals [Watch](https://youtu.be/7b1MHxnW-HE) ### This company is helping to build a circular economy for India's plastic waste [Watch](https://youtu.be/nLl5Qh7Hniw)