PATHWAYS TO A CIRCULAR ECONOMY - Port of Rotterdam

Transition to the circular economyThe models also reflect a series of steps – a transition fromthe current system towards a circular economy. In reality,smooth transitions that neatly follow certain steps are rarein business. Sometimes it takes considerable effort toovercome the inertia associated with change, but onceovercome, revolutionary steps can be made. Other timesit is a succession of small steps that ultimately define anew direction for the long-term. The speed and easeof the transition to a circular value chain in any sectorare influenced by: the strength of the case for change;the physical nature of the resources involved; and thecommercialisation of enabling technologies.Pathway to a circular economyMoving from a linear to circular model requires a completetransition of the current system. Many understand thismeans fundamental change but do not understand howthe transition could take place. As system transitionsinvolve some characteristic steps, we can show the movefrom linear to circular models through four stages thatrepresent an evolutionary pathway to circularity.33/73PORT OF ROTTERDAM / RABOBANKPATHWAYS TO A CIRCULAR ECONOMY