How circular are large corporations? Evidence from a large-scale survey with senior leaders

Abstract

The circular economy has been promoted as a way for corporations to radically improve their resource efficiency and effectiveness by narrowing, slowing, closing and regenerating resource flows. However, the degree of implementation of these circular strategies across different geographies and industries is little understood. We conducted a large-scale survey with senior leaders in large corporations focused on the implementation of these circular strategies in different corporate functions. We find that the close the loop strategy is most implemented overall, followed by narrowing and slowing the loop. Regeneration is the least implemented. In companies’ own operations, narrow the loop strategies were far ahead of any other strategies. In the supply chain function, narrow the loop strategies start earliest. In the products and services function, close the loop strategies have generally been prioritised. This study shows progress in circular implementation in corporations but also important gaps to move beyond low-hanging fruits.

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