Welcome to the fifth module of the Circular Economy Capacity Building Program!
This week we are moving into the ‘software’ side of the circular economy discussion: you might have an initiative in the pipeline or already implemented, but how do you go about measuring its impacts in a way that speaks to all of the systems affected, and over the kind of time horizons that matter to the circular economy? And how do you go about communicating with a wide audience about circular principles, and the impact and worth of your projects?
We have a recorded presentation from our delivery partner Coreo, and you can read further through the page to discover more about the regulatory shifts currently underway and a breakdown of the five key circular business models.
Creating a Systems-Oriented Circular Narrative
Capturing the systemic benefits of circular initiatives requires us to measure benefits that span the entire system—environmental, social, and economic. Circular metrics need to be built and implemented to capture the full value proposition and create a compelling case beyond just dollars and cents.
One key element about circular metrics is that they don’t just show how your project reduces waste or emissions—they reveal how it benefits entire systems: environmental, social, and the financial system. The right metrics can transform a circular solution from an abstract idea into something concrete and measurable that resonates with decision-makers. Here are some examples of these metrics;
- Measure Across the Full Life Cycle: Make sure your metrics reflect the entire product or service lifecycle—from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal or reuse.
- Example for the horticultural sector: The focus here could be to track the full lifecycle of plant pots, capturing cost & environmental benefits upon every reuse.
- Measure Dependencies: Your metrics should also capture the indirect effects—such as reduced strain on public infrastructure or improved community resilience.
- Example for horticultural sector: Tracking the decrease in strain on local waste infrastructure as a result of diverting products (like reusable pots) from landfill to reuse or recycling programs.
- Measure Actions, not just outcomes, for a bang for buck approach to measurement.
- Example for horticultural sector: Don’t measure landfill avoided for organic materials, measure the benefits of where you put those materials and what benefits they continue to provide (carbon sequestration in soils, increased moisture content, etc)
Empowering Businesses with Circular Communication Tools
Last but not least, communicating your metrics and your tools are critical! First impressions matter, whether you want to change something within your organisation or externally. Here are some tips to better communicate your changes;
- Emphasis: Identify the most important information your audience needs first. Ask yourself what can be removed while still conveying your message effectively – less is more!
- Engage the whole brain: Cater to both analytical (left brain) and creative (right brain) audiences. Balancing detailed data and lots of text with compelling narratives and visuals.
- Contrast: Make key elements stand out by using contrasting colours and fonts. Limit yourself to one or two fonts to maintain clarity and readability.