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0.1 Overview of this British StandardThis British Standard is intended to help organizations and individuals consider and implementmore circular and sustainable practices within their businesses, whether through improved ways ofworking, providing more circular products and services or redesigning their entire business modeland value proposition.This standard aims to provide a framework and guidance to a broad range of organizations, ofdiffering sizes and with varying levels of knowledge and understanding of the circular economy.Starting with smaller, “quick‑win” type initiatives can be a good way for organizations new to thecircular economy to gain relevant experience and confidence.The standard is divided into two areas:1) What is the circular economy and why move to a more circular and sustainable mode ofoperation? Clause 3 aims to help organizations improve their understanding of the circulareconomy and how it might be relevant.2) How to implement the principles of the circular economy within an organizational context?These sections form the majority of the standard and Figure 1 provides an overview of the keyelements which are classified as “Guiding principles”, “Flexible framework” and “Supportingguidance”.• Guiding principles: Clause 4 outlines the principles of the circular economy which underpinthe flexible framework and provides a strategic frame of reference for how closely decisionmaking and activities align with the guidance provided.• Flexible framework: Clause 5 provides a flexible framework for organizations to use todetermine the extent to which they intend to implement the principles of the circulareconomy and transition to a more circular and sustainable mode of operation.• Supporting guidance: Clause 6 and Clause 7 provide supporting guidance and are intendedto be read alongside Clause 5. These clauses provide guidance on enabling mechanisms andbusiness models that can support the transition to a more circular and sustainable modeof operation, as well as key factors which it might be relevant to consider when using theframework.Many elements of the framework and guidance have been developed by drawing on experiencesand lessons learned from a range of organizations, both small and large, attempting to become morecircular. Many aspects mirror what could be thought to be the basics of good sustainable businesspractice, but in this standard they are solely being examined from a circular economy perspective.

0.3 Relationship with resource efficiencyResource efficiency needs to be embodied within a circular economy approach. Whilst resourceefficiency and the circular economy are sometimes referred to interchangeably, there are some distinctdifferences. Resource efficiency does not necessarily challenge the linear model of consumption andproduction.Resource efficiency is a broad umbrella term used to describe efforts to reduce the total environmentalimpact of the consumption and production of products and services, from raw material extraction tofinal use and disposal. In a materials context, it is concerned with the efficient use of materials, wasteprevention and reduction, and causing minimal damage to the environment and depletion of naturalresources. It means doing more with less and delivering greater value with less input.Organizations might become more resource efficient through relatively simple, incrementalactions. A circular economy takes a whole systems perspective, where resources are systematicallyrestored or regenerated. It means being more effective and optimizing how resources are managed

across their life cycle in order to have a positive impact on the natural environment and society.Implementing its principles in an organization might require a paradigm shift in how an organizationoperates.0.4 Relationship with zero wasteOver the last few decades, zero waste has become an aspirational goal for transitioning from a“throw‑away” society. Several high profile businesses around the world have set zero waste targets,orientated predominately around sending nothing to landfill. A number of cities around the worldhave also adopted zero waste goals as part of their waste management strategies.Zero waste is a philosophy that encourages the re‑design of resource life cycles so that all materialsand products are reused or recycled. It discourages the use of waste to energy, incineration or landfill,and ultimately seeks to eliminate the concept of waste altogether. In practice however, the conceptcan be perceived as waste focused and has been applied loosely and inconsistently. For example,zero waste claims have been made solely on the basis of 100% landfill diversion made possible byrelying disproportionately on waste to energy or by not reporting wastes generated throughout thesupply chain.NOTE For further information on zero waste, see <http://zwia.org> [last viewed 9 May 2017].Whilst zero waste does not necessarily lead to more circular solutions, if applied with the rightmind‑set the concepts are complementary and it is possible to progressively step towards a circulareconomy