• for Higher Education
      • Start Here
        • Why Inchainge

        • Learning by Doing

        • How to Get Started?

        • Success Stories

        • Certification Training
      • Products
        • Game-based Learning Solutions
      • Our Platforms
        • Business Game Platforms
      • Global Challenges
        • Global Educator Challenge

        • Global Student Challenge

      Inchainge for Higher Education
      Start Here

      Whether you're new to Inchainge or ready to roll out a program, these key resources are designed to support your journey.

      Why Inchainge?

      Learn how we help institutions transform traditional teaching into impactful, experience-based learning.

      Learning by Doing

      See why learning by doing improves engagement, retention, and real-world decision-making skills.

      How to Get Started?

      Getting started is simple. Follow 3 clear steps to implement our learning solutions in your course or program.

      Success Stories

      Explore how educators and professionals around the world are creating measurable impact with Inchainge.

      Certification Training

      Join our free Train the Trainer program to learn how to confidently implement our learning solutions in your course.

      Inchainge for Higher Education \ Products
      Game-based Learning Solutions

      Explore 18 game-based learning solutions to match your curriculum needs from compact to advanced. Each solution is powered by one of our four business game platforms.

      End-to-End Supply Chain
      5 solutions

      Compare our wide array of supply chain solutions ranging from basic to advanced.

      Sustainability and Circularity
      6 solutions

      Easily integrate sustainable business and circular economy into your course.

      Supply Chain Disruptions
      3 solutions

      Discover how your students can learn to effectively manage risks and run resilient supply chains.

      S&OP and IBP
      3 solutions

      Bring strategy into action into your classroom with S&OP and IBP.

      Data Analytics
      1 solution

      Let students experience the financial impact of supply chain decisions firsthand.

      Compare all
      18 learning solutions
      Inchainge for Higher Education \ Our Platforms
      Business Game Platforms

      Learn all about the core of our portfolio - our business game platforms. All our products are powered by one of these four business simulation games.

      Read more about our business game platforms
      Value Chain Management

      Experience the world’s #1 business game in Value Chain Management. Discover the power of a well-articulated supply chain strategy.

      Circular Economy

      Experience a Circular Future. Transition from a linear to circular business model.

      Working Capital Management

      Experience bridging the Physical and Financial Supply Chains. Transform the physical supply chain by leveraging finance and working capital.

      Sustainability

      Experience a more sustainable future. Balance the 3Ps and the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs).

      Inchainge for Higher Education \ Global Challenges
      Our Annual Global Challenges for Educators and Students

      Discover our exclusive flagship events that bring together top educators and students from around the world. These global challenges combine our competitive business games with international networking and recognition.

      Global Educator Challenge

      Connect and expand your network with our global community of educators and professional trainers competing against each other with one of our business games.

      Global Student Challenge

      The #1 Supply Chain Student Competition in the world. Let your students battle with the best of the best students in supply chain for the Championship title and prizes.

  • for Business
      • Start Here
        • Why Inchainge

        • Learning by Doing

        • How to Get Started?

        • Success Stories

        • Delivery Formats
      • Products
        • Game-based Learning Solutions
      • Our Platforms
        • Business Game Platforms
      • Global Challenges
        • Global PRO Challenge

        • Global Trainer Challenge
      • Partnership
        • Partnership
      Inchainge for Business
      Start Here

      Whether you're new to Inchainge or ready to roll out a program, these key resources are designed to support your journey.

      Why Inchainge?

      Discover how our simulation-based learning accelerates transformation across teams, processes, and performance.

      Learning by Doing

      See why learning by doing strengthens capabilities, improves engagement, and accelerates results.

      How to Get Started?

      Getting started is simple. Follow 3 clear steps to bring our simulation-based training programs in your company.

      Success Stories

      Explore how companies and universities around the world are creating measurable impact with Inchainge.

      Delivery Formats

      Learn how our programs can be delivered in formats that suit your schedule, audience, and objectives.

      Inchainge for Business \ Products
      Game-based Learning Solutions

      Explore our 8 game-based learning solutions for business. Find the right match based on your training goals, topic focus, and desired complexity. Each solution is powered by one of our four business game platforms.

      Managing End-to-End Supply Chains
      1 solution

      Build a strong foundation in supply chain management and learn to optimize flows across the full value chain.

      Driving Sustainability and Circularity
      2 solutions

      Equip your teams to make sustainable decisions and transition to circular business models with real impact.

      Building Resilient Supply Chains
      2 solutions

      Train your workforce to anticipate disruptions, manage risk, and strengthen supply chain agility and resilience.

      Aligning S&OP and IBP
      2 solutions

      Connect strategy to execution by aligning sales, operations, and finance through integrated planning processes.

      Managing Working Capital
      1 solution

      Improve working capital, reduce financial risk, and increase cross-functional alignment on supply chain finance.

      Compare all
      8 learning solutions
      Inchainge for Business \ Our Platforms
      Business Game Platforms

      Learn all about the core of our portfolio - our business game platforms. All our products are powered by one of these four business simulation games.

      Read more about our business game platforms
      Value Chain Management

      Experience the world’s #1 business game in Value Chain Management. Discover the power of a well-articulated supply chain strategy.

      Circular Economy

      Experience a Circular Future. Transition from a linear to circular business model.

      Working Capital Management

      Experience bridging the Physical and Financial Supply Chains. Transform the physical supply chain by leveraging finance and working capital.

      Sustainability

      Experience a more sustainable future. Balance the 3Ps and the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs).

      Inchainge for Business \ Global Challenges
      Our Annual Global Challenges for Professionals and Partners

      Discover our exclusive flagship events for professionals and partners. These global challenges combine competitive business games with international collaboration, leadership, and industry recognition.

      Global PRO Challenge

      The top Supply Chain competition for professionals. Compete with the world’s best in Value Chain Management teams for the prestigious SCM World Champion title. Showcase your skills on a global stage and gain industry recognition.

      Global Trainer Challenge

      You’ll not only compete against professional trainers but also educators from all around the world! You can be the captain of your own team with your colleagues or peers.

      Inchainge for Business \ Partnership
      Partnership

      Transform your training with experiential learning. Drive engagement, customer satisfaction, and impactful learning.

      Becoming a Partner

      Enhance your training offerings with our innovative business simulation games.

      Partner Network

      Join our network of over 70 global partners.

      Getting Certified

      Become a certified trainer with one of our learning solutions.

  • Event Calendar
    • Event Calendar
      Event Calendar

      Stay up to date with upcoming webinars, certification trainings, and global events designed to enhance your learning journey and connect you with our community.

      Certificate Training

      For Educators and Trainers: Get certified with our business games with our Live Train the Trainers.

      Online Demos

      Discover the power of experiential learning with an interactive demostration of our learning solutions.

      Live Webinars

      Dive into trending topics with highly renowned experts through fireside chats or Inchainge Connect Educator Series.

      Conferences

      Attending the following global conferences. Connect and meet us there!

      Partner Events

      Explore the upcoming events organized by our partners powered by our business games.

      See all Training and Events
      Featured Events
      Event Cover Picture
      Featured
      Session de découverte en ligne – en FRANÇAIS : explorez les simulations d’entreprise avec Inchainge et AfrSCM
      Tuesday, May 20th 2025 16:00 - 18:30 CEST (Amsterdam, UTC+2) Où que vous soyez... En ligne !
      Event Cover Picture
      Featured
      How Changemakers Drive Circular Business
      Thursday, May 29th 2025 17:00 - 18:00 (CEST, Amsterdam) 11:00 - 12:00 (EDT, Miami), 12:00 - 13:00 (BRT, São Paulo) Wherever you are... Online!
  • Resources
    • Resources
      Resources

      Expand your knowledge and stay ahead in your field
      with our extensive collection of free resources.

      Teaching Cases

      Get a free copy of our Harvard-style teaching cases around value chain topics.

      Whitepapers

      Discover our free whitepapers on Integrated Learning Approach or L&D.

      On-demand Webinars

      Learn from industry leaders, experts, and experienced educators through our exclusive webinars, designed to help you stay ahead in your field.

      Literature

      Request a free inspection copy of the textbooks connected to our business games (Only for educators).

      Blogs

      Read about the latest insights and trends in experiential learning, value chain, and more.

      Knowledge Base

      Explore beginner-friendly articles on core supply chain and sustainability principles.

      Fireside Chats Library

      Access our full video library of thought-provoking chats with industry leaders.

      Browse all resources
  • About
    • About
      About Inchainge

      Discover who we are: our story, our people, and how we’re developing value chain leaders through experiential learning.

      About Us

      Discover our journey over the last decade.

      Meet our Team

      Meet the talented team dedicated to support you.

      Latest News
      Browse all news
      Discover the Global Finalists of Global Student Challenge 2025

      Inchainge Brings Gamification to APICS Certification Maintenance

  • About
      About
    • About Us
    • Meet our Team
    • News
  • for Higher Education
    • For Higher Education
      Start Here
        Start Here
      • Why Inchainge?
      • Learning by Doing
      • How to Get Started?
      • Success Stories
      • Certification Training
    • Products
        Products
        Game-based Learning Solutions

        Explore 18 game-based learning solutions to match your curriculum needs from compact to advanced. Each solution is powered by one of our four business game platforms.

      • End-to-End Supply Chain
      • Sustainability and Circularity
      • Supply Chain Disruptions
      • S&OP and IBP
      • Data Analytics
      • Compare all learning solutions
    • Our Platforms
        Our Platforms
        Business Game Platforms

        Learn all about the core of our portfolio - our business game platforms. All our products are powered by one of these four business simulation games.

      • Value Chain Management

        Experience the world’s #1 business game in Value Chain Management. Discover the power of a well-articulated supply chain strategy.

      • Circular Economy

        Experience a Circular Future. Transition from a linear to circular business model.

      • Working Capital Management

        Experience bridging the Physical and Financial Supply Chains. Transform the physical supply chain by leveraging finance and working capital.

      • Sustainability

        Experience a more sustainable future. Balance the 3Ps and the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs).

      • Read more about our business game platforms
    • Global Challenges
        Global Challenges
      • Global Educator Challenge
      • Global Student Challenge
  • for Business
    • For Business
      Start Here
        Start Here
      • Why Inchainge?
      • Learning by Doing
      • How to Get Started?
      • Success Stories
      • Delivery Formats
    • Products
        Products
        Game-based Learning Solutions

        Explore our 8 game-based learning solutions for business. Find the right match based on your training goals, topic focus, and desired complexity. Each solution is powered by one of our four business game platforms.

      • Managing End-to-End Supply Chains
      • Driving Sustainability and Circularity
      • Building Resilient Supply Chains
      • Aligning S&OP and IBP
      • Managing Working Capital
      • Compare all learning solutions
    • Our Platforms
        Business Game Platforms

        Learn all about the core of our portfolio - our business game platforms. All our products are powered by one of these four business simulation games.

      • Value Chain Management

        Experience the world’s #1 business game in Value Chain Management. Discover the power of a well-articulated supply chain strategy.

      • Circular Economy

        Experience a Circular Future. Transition from a linear to circular business model.

      • Working Capital Management

        Experience bridging the Physical and Financial Supply Chains. Transform the physical supply chain by leveraging finance and working capital.

      • Sustainability

        Experience a more sustainable future. Balance the 3Ps and the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs).

      • Read more about our business game platforms
    • Global Challenges
        Global Challenges
      • Global PRO Challenge
      • Global Trainer Challenge
    • Partnership
        Partnership
      • Becoming a Partner
      • Partner Network
      • Getting Certified
  • Event Calendar
      Event Calendar
    • Certificate Training
    • Online Demos
    • Live Webinars
    • Conferences
    • Partner Events
    • See all Training and Events
  • Resources
      Resources
    • Teaching Cases
    • Whitepapers
    • On-demand Webinars
    • Literature
    • Blogs
    • Knowledge Base
    • Fireside Chats Library
    • Browse all Resources
  • Get a PDF file with this topic
  • Circular Economy
  • What is a circular economy?
  • Why is a circular economy important?
  • Is a circular economy realistic?
  • How do you achieve a circular economy?
  • Is a circular economy a new concept?
  • The technical and biological loops of the circular economy
  1. Inchainge Home
  2. Knowledge base
  3. Sustainability
  4. Circular Economy

Circular Economy

Written by: Inchainge | 3 minute read | Last updated on: October 7th, 2021
Share on:

In this article Inchainge discusses everything you need to know about the circular economy. What is a circular economy, and why is it so important? Read more in our article and learn how Inchainge can offer you the possibly to experience the circular economy in our business games.

Topics in this article
1. What is a circular economy?
2. Why is a circular economy important?
3. Is a circular economy realistic?
4. How do you achieve a circular economy?
5. Is a circular economy a new concept?
6. The technical and biological loops of the circular economy

What is a circular economy?

A circular economy is an economic system which decouples growth from negative externalities by building on the following three key circular economy principles:

  • Designing out waste and pollution
  • Keeping products and materials in use
  • Regenerating natural systems

Why is a circular economy important?

With a gradual implementation of the above stated circular principles, economic paradigms (efficient use of scarce resources, cost savings and profitability) are combined with societal values (equal society, societal well-being) and the objective of sustaining natural capital.

The circular economy can be considered a sustainable economic system. Because if it is implemented correctly, it multi-solves pressing issues at an economical, societal, and natural level. It is arguably the solution to the following question: How do we achieve a green and sustainable economy? And why should we?

The circular economy is hugely beneficial: waste prevention, eco-design and re-use could save up to €600 billion annually (across the EU), while also reducing annual greenhouse gas emissions by up to 4%.

A more circular economy thereby relieves pressure on the environment, secures the continuous supply of raw materials, fosters innovation, and boosts economic growth by creating up to 580 000 jobs in the EU alone.

Also the consumer would benefit by receiving overall more durable and innovative products that last longer.

If the economic theory behind the circular economy is so promising, one might wonder why it hasn’t been set in place yet?

Is a circular economy realistic?

A perfectly circular economy will most probably remain a utopian concept because there is a certain level of waste in almost every process. Currently, our global economy is 8,6% circular, according to the Circularity Gap report.

However, there is room for optimism, given the opportunities a circular economy comprises. A realistic scenario would be a gradual development of several sectors towards an economic system, which operates partially or mainly under circular principles.

How do you achieve a circular economy?

There are six major circular economy schools of thought:

  • The functional service economy, also called the performance economy, is a school of thought developed by Walter Stahel in 1976. It promotes a “closed loop” approach to production processes with emphasis on selling service rather than products. The functional service economy is based on the following principles: product-life extension, long-life goods, reconditioning activities, and waste prevention.
  • The Cradle to Cradle, or C2C is a design philosophy that differentiates between biological and technical nutrients. In this philosophy nutrients are all materials involved in industrial and commercial processes. The Cradle to Cradle framework focuses not only on reducing the negative impact of products, but also promotes their positive impact. In a Cradle to Cradle design, products and their components are designed for continuous reutilization often throughout their biological and technological lives.
  • Biomimicry developed by Janine Benyus. Biomimicry ‘studies nature’s best ideas and then imitates these designs and processes to solve human problems’. Among others, the principle of Biomimicry is to learn from nature as a mentor. Humans should value nature not based on what they extract from it but based what they can learn from it.
  • The industrial ecology focuses on the material and energy flow in industrial systems. This school of thought designs an approach in which waste serves as input and any notion of undesirable by-product should be eliminated.
  • Natural capitalism describes overlapping business and environmental interests. Thus, it recognizes the interdependencies existing between the production and use of human-made capital and flows of natural capital. One of the principles of natural capitalism is to reinvest in natural capital – to restore and regenerate natural resources.
  • The blue economy systems approach, states that by ‘using the resources available in cascading systems, (…) the waste of one product becomes the input to create a new cash flow’.

From a business perspective, a company can implement different circular strategies to achieve high levels of circularity.

Is a circular economy a new concept?

The field “circular economy” is relatively new and literature, as well as business models, are developing quickly. Many of the concepts are, however, not new at all. Think for example about replanting, repairing and reusing, which people did already 100 years ago.

Even though many of the concepts aren’t new in themselves, the scope of the circular economy (system thinking) and the hope to create real sustainable economic development is what drives the current progress.

The technical and biological loops of the circular economy

The circular economy is oftentimes visualized in a butterfly diagram with two wings which represent two loops: the biological loop and the technical loop. The biological loops contain cycles of biodegradable resources, which can naturally regenerate. The technical loops contain cycles of manufactured materials which can only be reused, repaired, remanufactured, or recycled.

You might want to learn more about

Learning

Learning is the process of acquiring new understanding, knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, attitudes, and preferences. There are many ways to learn but what works best? And why does it matter? In this article, Inchainge discusses everything you need to know about learning.

The Blue Connection

The Blue Connection is an innovative web-based business simulation game. It engages participants in the transformation from a linear to a circular value chain by implementing a circular strategy for a virtual e-bike manufacturer. In teams of 4, participants will represent the functional roles of VP Finance, VP Purchasing, VP Supply Chain, and VP Sales. Experience the circular way of doing business for a sustainable future!

Experiential learning

Experiential learning is a powerful way of education that fosters numerous benefits. We truly believe that going through an experience, will result in a better and longer lasting understanding. What is experiential learning exactly? And why should it be implemented? In this article, Inchainge discusses everything you need to know about experiential learning.

Business games

A high-performing value chain needs the collaboration of team members from across the organization. Tearing down silos and creating the right cross-functional mindset, however, can be a serious challenge. So, what do you need in order to achieve success? Ideally, you’d like your team to experiment with different scenarios wherein they learn to overcome various obstacles.

Logistics footprint

Understanding what a logistics footprint is, and why it should be as small as possible can make the decisive difference in competitiveness for a company. But how can a business tackle the size of its logistics footprint? And why does a good warehouse strategy play an important role in doing so? In this article, Inchainge discusses everything you need to know about the logistics footprint.

Dive into our
knowledge base

Alignment
  • Alignment
  • BMC Model
  • External Alignment and Collaboration
  • Integrated Business Planning
  • Key Performance Indicators
  • Sales & Operations Planning
  • Strategic Alignment
  • Total Cost of Ownership
Blended learning
  • Blended learning
  • Delivery formats and scalability
Experiential learning
  • Experiential learning
  • 70 20 10
  • Flipped classroom
  • Learning cycle
Learning
  • Learning
Soft skills
  • Soft skills
  • Building (virtual) teams
  • Leadership skills
Supply chain
  • Data analytics
  • End-to-end Supply Chain Management
  • LARG Supply Chain
  • Logistics footprint
  • Omnichannel
  • Supply Chain
  • Supply Chain Finance
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Supply Chain Risk management
  • Supply Chain Volatility
  • The Bullwhip Effect
Sustainability
  • Sustainability
  • Carbon footprint
  • Circular Economy
  • Does Green Governance drive the ride to a sustainable future?
  • Everything You Need To Know About Eco-Efficiency
  • Greenwashing: Everything you need to know
  • Is it possible to measure the Triple Bottom Line?
  • Sustainability v/s Circularity
  • The 3Ps Series: People
  • The 3Ps Series: Planet
  • The 3Ps Series: Prosperity
  • The Butterfly Diagram
  • The Value Hill
  • What are the 3Ps of Sustainability?
  • What do we know about the Triple Bottom Line?
Value Chain
  • Value Chain

Tags

Supply Chain Circularity TFC Branding HTML Clean CSS3 jQuery

Inchainge

Newsletter
Get the latest Inchainge news delivered to your inbox.
Higher Education Incompany training
The Fresh Connection The Cool Connection The Blue Connection The Triple Connection
For Higher Education
  • Start Here
  • Why Inchainge
  • Learning by Doing
  • How to Get Started?
  • Success Stories
  • Certification Training
  • Game-based Learning Solutions
  • End-to-End Supply Chain
  • Sustainability and Circularity
  • Supply Chain Disruptions
  • S&OP and IBP
  • Data Analytics
  • Business Game Platforms
  • The Fresh Connection
  • The Cool Connection
  • The Blue Connection
  • The Triple Connection
  • Global Challenges
  • Global Educator Challenge
  • Global Student Challenge
For Business
  • Start Here
  • Why Inchainge
  • Learning by Doing
  • How to Get Started?
  • Success Stories
  • Delivery Formats
  • Game-based Learning Solutions
  • Managing End-to-End Supply Chain
  • Driving Sustainability and Circularity
  • Building Resilient Supply Chains
  • Aligning S&OP and IBP
  • Managing Working Capital
  • Business Game Platforms
  • The Fresh Connection
  • The Cool Connection
  • The Blue Connection
  • The Triple Connection
  • Global Challenges
  • Global PRO Challenge
  • Global Trainer Challenge
  • Partnership
  • Becoming a Partner
  • Partner Network
  • Getting Certified
Other
  • Knowledge base
  • Alignment
  • Blended learning
  • Experiential learning
  • Learning
  • Soft skills
  • Supply Chain
  • Sustainability
  • Value Chain
  • Resources
  • Teaching cases
  • Webinars
  • Blogs
  • Whitepapers
  • Literature
  • About
  • About Inchainge
  • Meet our team
  • Become a partner
  • Partner network
  • Testimonials
We truly believe that going through an experience,
will result in a better understanding.
Inchainge B.V.
Emmalaan 5
3732 GM De Bilt
The Netherlands
    Follow us on:
Knowledge base
  • Alignment
  • Blended learning
  • Experiential learning
  • Learning
  • Soft skills
  • Supply Chain
  • Sustainability
  • Value Chain
Resources
  • Teaching cases
  • Webinars
  • Blogs
  • Whitepapers
  • Literature
About
  • About Inchainge
  • Meet our team
  • Become a partner
  • Partner network
  • Testimonials
© Inchainge. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Cookie policy