BS 8001:2017 Framework for implementing the principles of the circular economy in organizations – Guide

Description

In contrast to the ‘take, make, dispose’ model of the linear economy – the circular economy concept looks for materials to be repeatedly recovered and reused for as long as possible. It’s a concept that’s gaining growing international attention, so in response, BSI has produced a first circular economy standard, BS 8001, providing a practical framework to help organizations adopt circular economy approaches. BS 8001 on the circular economy can be used by any organization, regardless of sector, size, location, or type. BS 8001 will also be useful irrespective of an organization’s present level of knowledge and understanding of the circular economy. BS 8001 on the circular economy provides guidance and recommendations that will help an organization turn the circular economy concept and theory into practical action. BS 8001 will help provide environmental benefits through improved resource use in addition to delivering financial and social benefits, through economic, employment, and innovation opportunities. Foreword iv Section 1 General 1 0 Introduction 1 0.1 Overview of this British Standard 1 Figure 1 — Overview of the framework for implementing the principles of the circular economy 2 0.2 General 2 Figure 2 — Circular economy schools of thought 4 Figure 3 — The circular economy at a glance – optimizing value creation through circularity 5 0.3 Relationship with resource efficiency 5 0.4 Relationship with zero waste 6 0.5 Relationship with the bioeconomy 6 0.6 Relationship with lean thinking 6 0.7 Outcomes 7 1 Scope 8 2 Terms and definitions 8 Figure 4 — Conceptual example of a cascade system 9 Figure 6 — Conceptual simplified example of a closed loop system 14 Figure 7 — Conceptual simplified example of an open loop system 15 3 The circular economy and its relevance to organizations 22 3.1 General 22 3.2 Circular economy benefits for organizations 23 3.2.1 Macro‑level benefits 23 3.2.1.1 Improved resilience of economic systems 23 3.2.1.2 Economic growth and employment 23 3.2.1.3 Preserved natural capital and climate change mitigation 23 3.2.2 Micro‑level benefits 23 3.2.2.1 General 23 3.2.2.2 Cost savings 23 3.2.2.3 New sources of innovation and revenue 24 3.2.2.4 Improved customer relationships 24 3.2.2.5 Improved resilience for organizations 24 3.3 Implementation challenges for different types of organizations 25 Section 2 Guiding principles 26 4 Principles of the circular economy 26 4.1 General 26 4.2 Principles 28 4.2.1 Systems thinking 28 Figure 9 — General concept of an organizational system with intervention highlighted 28 4.2.2 Innovation 29 4.2.3 Stewardship 29 4.2.4 Collaboration 29 4.2.5 Value optimization 30 4.2.6 Transparency 31 Section 3 Flexible framework 32 5 Framework for implementing the principles of the circular economy 32 5.1 General 32 5.2 Establishing an organization’s level of circular economy maturity 32 Figure 10 — Level of organizational circularity maturity 33 5.3 The eight‑stage flexible framework 33 Figure 11 — Navigation tool to help organizations identify where to start in using the eight‑stage flexible framework 34 5.4 Stage 1: Framing 35 5.5 Stage 2: Scoping 36 5.6 Stage 3: Idea generation 37 5.7 Stage 4: Feasibility 38 5.8 Stage 5: Business case 39 5.9 Stage 6: Piloting and prototyping 39 5.10 Stage 7: Delivery and implementation 40 5.11 Stage 8: Monitor, review and report 41 Section 4 Supporting guidance 43 6 Guidance on enabling mechanisms and business models 43 6.1 General 43 6.2 Enabling mechanisms 44 6.3 Business model design 44 6.3.1 General 44 6.3.2 Key elements 44 Figure 12 — Overview of business model development 44 6.4 Business model types and selection 45 6.4.1 General 45 6.4.2 Preference 45 6.4.3 Business model groupings 45 Table 1 — Overview of business models 47 7 Guidance on circular economy issues and considerations 51 7.1 General 51 Table 2 — Example matrix to help organizations to identify potential issues and considerations relating to progressing their circular economy vision, strategy or objectives 52 7.2 Accounting and finance 52 7.3 Anti‑trust and competition law 53 7.4 Change management 54 7.5 Chemicals 55 7.6 Energy and fuels 56 Table 3 — Common methods for extracting energy from non‑hazardous residual waste 57 7.7 Information management 58 7.8 Liability and insurance 59 7.9 Logistics and reverse logistics 60 7.10 Marketing 61 7.11 Materials markets 62 7.12 Materials selection 63 7.13 Monitoring and measurement 64 7.14 Procurement and contract management 65 7.15 Product design and development 66 Figure 13 — Illustrative influence on environmental impact during design and the cumulative impact during product life cycle stages 67 7.16 Waste regulation 68 Annex A Evaluating implementation of the principles of the circular economy 70 Table A.1 — Example maturity model for organizational circularity 71 Table A.2 — Questions to help organizations consider how the principles of the circular economy are being realized through their decisions and activities (non‑exhaustive) 73 Annex B Potential circular design strategies and checklist 77 Table B.1 — Design focus areas and potential design strategies 77 Table B.2 — Non‑exhaustive checklist of options for design improvement matched to design focus areas 78 Bibliography 79