From Ownership to Stewardship: Redefining Consumption in a Circular Economy

One of the most profound cultural shifts in the circular economy is how we view consumption. The linear model has encouraged a fast-paced, disposable culture where ownership equates to status. The circular economy challenges this narrative, replacing ownership with stewardship.

In a circular system, users are no longer passive consumers but active participants in the value chain. They lease, share, repair and return products, contributing to their longevity. Companies, in turn, take responsibility for the full lifecycle of what they produce—designing for durability, modularity, and end-of-life recovery.

Business models that support stewardship—such as clothing rental services, shared mobility platforms, or IT hardware-as-a-service—are growing fast. They not only reduce waste and emissions but also give consumers access to high-quality goods without long-term commitment or high costs.

This shift has social benefits too. Stewardship models can improve access to essential goods, reduce clutter, and promote mindful consumption. It requires trust, transparency and infrastructure—but the long-term rewards are a more inclusive and resource-efficient society.

As we rethink how we consume, the transition from ownership to stewardship could be one of the most transformative aspects of the circular economy.

Construction and Demolition Waste: Unlocking the Circular Potential of the Built Environment

The construction sector is one of Europe’s largest waste producers, responsible for over 35% of the EU’s total waste generation. Yet this challenge presents an equally large opportunity for circular innovation. Increasingly, cities and developers are embracing circular practices to reduce environmental impact and extend the life of materials.

Key strategies include deconstruction instead of demolition, allowing materials like bricks, steel, and timber to be reclaimed and reused. Advances in material labelling and digital building logs make it easier to assess the condition and reusability of components.

There is also a growing market for secondary construction materials, supported by platforms that match supply and demand locally. For example, reclaimed concrete can be used in non-structural applications, and recycled aggregates can meet new quality standards.

At the policy level, the EU’s Level(s) framework and updates to the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) are driving the adoption of circular criteria in procurement, design, and certification.

Circular construction is not just about waste reduction—it improves resource efficiency, reduces embodied carbon, and supports job creation in remanufacturing and refurbishment. With urban regeneration projects on the rise, now is the time to shift from extractive building to regenerative development.

Traceability: Building Trust in Circular Value Chains

In a truly circular economy, products and materials flow through multiple lifecycles—being reused, repaired, remanufactured or recycled. Managing this complexity requires traceability: the ability to track and document where materials come from, how they are used, and where they end up.

Traceability supports better decision-making, regulatory compliance, and trust. For example, a manufacturer using recycled plastics must ensure the material meets safety standards and can be identified throughout production. Likewise, businesses reclaiming products for remanufacturing need to know their condition and material composition to assess suitability and cost.

Technologies such as QR codes, radio-frequency identification (RFID) and blockchain are helping to simplify traceability. These tools can store detailed information about a product’s materials, repair history, certifications, and environmental footprint—accessible to businesses, regulators and consumers.

Digital product passports can enable a customer to scan a code and see how to recycle or return the product, while businesses gain insights into circular flows and product lifespans. Traceability also strengthens extended producer responsibility (EPR) systems, allowing manufacturers to take responsibility for their products post-sale.

Traceability is not just a technical solution—it’s a strategic enabler for building resilient, transparent and truly circular value chains.