This paper includes key recommendations for and considers the role of industry leaders, governments, education and training providers and civil society in closing the skills gap and championing VET for the circular economy.
What are circular jobs exactly? And how can we ensure the transition to the circular economy is positive for work and workers? This Note gives us circular jobs definition framework defines circular jobs, with examples of jobs that contribute to the circular economy, and explains how this is used in Circle Economy's Circular Jobs Monitor, an online tool that gathers and displays the number and range of jobs that are part of the circular economy.
The world’s global plastics waste crisis demands policy coordination and technological solutions to improve waste management systems, and organizations worldwide have created momentum around the concept of a circular economy.
This paper examines the vital, yet under-recognized role of waste pickers in the circular economy, particularly in low- and middle-income nations. It explores the tension between the environmental and social aspects of circularity. While waste pickers significantly contribute to recycling and environmental well-being, they often face exploitation and minimal support. The paper proposes a two-pronged approach: a hierarchy illustrating waste pickers' foundational role in the recycling chain, and a model for a socially restorative circular economy that prioritizes fair treatment and social inc
This publication provides, for the first time, direct measures of informal employment inside and outside informal enterprises for 47 countries. It also presents statistics on the composition and contribution of the informal economy as well as on specific groups of urban informal workers. Non-technical language and clear, simple statistical tables will make the information easy to understand by a large and varied audience.
This publication emphasizes the importance of youth involvement in transitioning to a circular economy. The document identifies ways young people can get involved, such as working for companies that encourage circularity, joining sustainability-focused youth groups, and advocating for change.
This discussion paper offers a set of reflections on the key issues related to the intersection of climate change, the green and blue economy, and youth employment. It offers a set of discussion questions related to youth’s participation in the green and blue economy and their leadership in a just transition.
This report aggregates extensive solid waste data at the national and urban levels. It estimates and projects waste generation to 2030 and 2050. Beyond the core data metrics from waste generation to disposal, the report provides information on waste management costs, revenues, and tariffs; special wastes; regulations; public communication; administrative and operational models; and the informal sector.
This report proposes a new approach to tackling plastic pollution. It focuses on empowering informal waste recovery systems (IWRS) and their workers. These workers, often overlooked, possess valuable skills and knowledge in waste collection. The report argues that current solutions often exclude them, harming their livelihoods and hindering waste management. Instead, it proposes using resources to support a smooth transition for these workers and their communities,essentially bringing them into the fold as key players in solving plastic pollution.
This report presents an analysis of the implementation and results of the SWITCH Africa Green programme in the integrated waste management (IWM) sector focusing on the participating countries: Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, South Africa and Uganda. It covers the strategic interventions in the waste sector notably municipal solid waste management, e-waste management, waste to energy (e.g. biogas production and briquette production), as well as industrial symbiosis (IS).
