Circular Economy and Employment

Circular Economy and Employment

CE employment
Author
Prof. Dr. Jens Horbach
Klaus Rennings
Katrin Sommerfeld
Publication Date
September, 2015
Country
Germany
Language for original content
Scope
Jens Horbach

Circular Economy and Employment first summarizes the main definitions and conceptualisations of a circular economy, then clarifies the relationship to related concepts such as green growth and eco-innovation. This report is the outcome of a project estimating the employment effects of a circular economy.

The Circular Economy mainly focuses on savings on the shares of material, labour, energy, and capital embedded in the product. In finite systems it is intended to “design out waste”. An important difference is made between consumables (one or few time usage) and durables (years of usage) products. Material savings can be achieved by already established recycling and remanufacturing activities finally aiming at a “zero waste economy”.