Is technological innovation the only path to the future of the circular economy?

Abstract

The increasing scarcity of resources and the ever greater social and environmental cost of their extraction mean it has never been more vital for the circular economy to become the dominant economic model in our societies. Many solutions have arisen to meet this challenge, including eco-design for new products, extending the lifecycle of products already in the market, repairing products, and the functional economy. Technological, organizational, societal and social innovations are essential in each of these spheres.