Looking beyond the current take-make-dispose extractive industrial model, a circular economy aims to redefine growth, focusing on positive society-wide benefits. It entails gradually decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources, and designing waste out of the system. Underpinned by a transition to renewable energy sources, the circular model builds economic, natural, and social capital. It is based on three principles:

• Design out waste and pollution
• Keep products and materials in use
• Regenerate natural systems

Source: Ellen McArthur Foundation

In 2018 Envision Charlotte in partnership with the City of Charlotte, engaged Metabolic to analyze Charlotte’s waste stream and develop a strategy forward for our city. With Metabolic’s expertise in the Circular Economy, Envision Charlotte will now use to toolkit created by Metabolic to lead Charlotte and the U.S in becoming more circular while creating more jobs, innovations, and a drive towards zero waste.

The study found here identifies five business cases for Charlotte to focus on first:

• A closed-loop textiles chain for linens and uniforms used in hotels, hospitals, etc.
• A commercial-scale facility to recycle food waste into larvae for livestock feed.
• A Materials Innovation Lab to develop innovations for upcycling specific waste types into new products.
• An incentivized reverse logistics system to improve quality and frequency of recycling.
• A circular concrete chain using recycled concrete and post-consumer glass as inputs.

Innovation Barn