Case Studies of Scotland-based Circular Businesses, ref: Circular Glasgow

The application of Circular Economy (CE) principles within project contexts, offers invaluable insights into real-world implementations of CE concepts. The following case studies were obtained from Circular Glasgow, and had been a good study material to understand the integration of Circular Economy principles in businesses, the following content is written from a Project Management perspective.

Norkram: Pioneering a Circular Economy in the Oil and Gas Industry Norkram, a manufacturer based in Peterhead, exemplifies a successful circular economy model in the oil and gas industry. Specializing in producing plastic thread protectors for oil and gas drilling pipes, Norkram incorporates mostly old, recycled plastic material, reducing waste from oil rigs and landfills. The company refurbishes old thread protectors, making them fit for resale. Any non-refurbishable plastic is shredded and sold back to the plastics industry for repurposing. Norkram's circular economy approach led to an expansion, with a significant reduction of 66 tonnes of carbon emissions in the first quarter after the implementation of new machinery, showcasing the tangible impact on environmental sustainability (Scotland, 2023).

Renewable Parts: Disrupting the Wind Industry with Circular Practices Renewable Parts, the leading supply chain company for the wind industry, established its Refurbishment Centre in 2018, challenging the traditional 'buy new' approach prevalent in the industry. The center refurbishes valuable components, diverting five tonnes from landfills in its first year alone. By offering warrantied refurbished wind turbine parts, Renewable Parts not only contributes to a circular wind industry but also achieves cost savings for customers and minimizes waste disposal. The company actively engages in sustainable practices, such as water harvesting, and collaborates with academia to drive continuous innovation in the circular economy, emphasizing the importance of environmental responsibility (Glasgow, n.d.-b).

Undisturbed: Rethinking Bathroom Homewares with Sustainability Undisturbed, founded in 2018, is transforming bathroom homewares by adopting a circular business model centered around good design and material choices. The company's products, including shower curtains made from 'waste' materials, are designed for durability, repair, and reuse. Undisturbed aims to establish a circular business model, introducing a Product-as-a-Service model and incentivized returns. Beyond product design, the company incorporates initiatives like blind-style mechanisms utilizing unwanted roller blind tubes and fostering biodiversity through local community projects. Undisturbed's circular economy journey demonstrates a holistic approach to sustainability (Glasgow, n.d.-e).

Cullen: Innovating Circular Packaging Solutions Cullen, the UK's only manufacturer of both molded pulp products and corrugate packaging, stands out in the packaging industry with its innovative circular solution. The company rethinks resources by using offcuts from existing corrugate manufacturing to form molded pulp products. This approach allows Cullen to create a packaging alternative made from recyclable raw materials, reducing the amount of virgin paper used to zero. The company's commitment to circular practices is evident in projects like Clinker, a 100% recycled and recyclable packaging solution, showcasing a realistic replacement for non-circular norms in the industry (Glasgow, n.d.-c).

Advanced Clothing Solutions (ACS): Pioneering Clothing Rental ACS, an experienced rental and garment refurbishment specialist, has been a key player in the sustainable fashion revolution. ACS became the UK's largest circular and sustainable fashion fulfillment hub, attaining B Corporation status. The company won prestigious awards for sustainable fashion and actively engaged in initiatives like establishing a biodiversity bubble. ACS's circular results include industry collaboration to refurbish damaged returns and offering an outfit rental service that promotes the reuse of clothing. The company's commitment to a circular business model extends to employee support, reduced food waste, and collaborations with local communities, showcasing a comprehensive approach to sustainability (Glasgow, n.d.-a).

IKEA: A Global Retail Giant Embracing Circular Principles IKEA, the global retail and furniture brand, aligns its business model with circular economy principles to become people and planet-positive. Embracing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, IKEA rethinks its approach to waste by utilizing it as the primary resource for product manufacturing. The company introduces Circular Hubs in its stores, selling discounted products that have been used as display items or discontinued. IKEA's Buy Back and Re-sell scheme allows customers to sell used furniture back to the store, promoting product longevity. The company designs products for the future, such as a baby cot that transforms into a toddler bed, showcasing an innovative circular design approach (Glasgow, n.d.-d).

ilka: Designing for Good and Becoming a B Corporation ilka, a creative design studio based in Glasgow, has successfully integrated circular principles into its business model. The company supports organizations striving to be a force for good, emphasizing sustainability in its design expertise. ilka's commitment to circularity is reflected in its status as the first design studio in Scotland to receive B Corporation status. The founders, Lisa and Laura, identified two key strands of their business model supporting social and environmental causes. ilka actively collaborates with organizations that align with its values and mission, contributing to both social and environmental benefits. The studio's involvement in local groups and networks demonstrates its dedication to addressing social and environmental issues through design work (Glasgow, n.d.).

Cellucomp: Circular Chemistry with Nanocellulose Fibers Cellucomp, a Scottish company, has developed sustainable materials by extracting nanocellulose fibres from root vegetables. The company, founded by Dr. Eric Whale and Dr. David Hepworth, focuses on turning waste into a new resource without compromising performance. Using sugar beet pulp primarily, Cellucomp created Curran?, an innovative and highly effective material that aligns with circular economy principles. The company's circular business model revolves around utilizing waste products from vegetable processing, emphasizing sustainability and long-term benefits. Cellucomp's journey involves continuous testing and collaboration, reflecting a commitment to resource recovery and circular practices (Scotland, 2019).

Source: Circular Glasgow. (n.d.). Circular Glasgow. [online] Available at: https://www.circularglasgow.com/