CEO GUIDE TO THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

The document argues that the circular economy is a strategic tool for businesses to navigate a 'decade of polycrisis' characterized by supply chain uncertainty and material insecurity. It focuses specifically on the City of Cape Town, noting that the city is expected to run out of landfill space by 2035 and currently has the highest landfill gate fees among South African metros. The guide introduces a 7-step process for CEOs to transition from linear to circular models, ranging from mapping resource flows to influencing supply chains. It details '9R' strategies—such as refuse, rethink, reduce, reuse, repair, refurbish, remanufacture, repurpose, and recycle—supported by local examples like Zerocrete and Barloworld Equipment. Additionally, it outlines regulatory pressures, including mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for sectors like packaging and electronics, and a provincial target for 100% organic waste diversion from landfills in the Western Cape by 2027.

• The City of Cape Town faces critical waste infrastructure pressures, with landfill capacity expected to be exhausted by 2035 and only two specialized hazardous waste landfills available, both of which are nearing capacity.
• Cape Town has the most expensive landfill gate fees for general waste compared to other South African metropolitan areas, and these costs are projected to continue rising above inflation.
• The Western Cape has established a target for 100% organic waste diversion from landfills by 2027, requiring businesses such as hotels and food processors to submit Integrated Waste Management Plans (IWMPs) detailing their compliance.
• South Africa has implemented mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations since 2021 for specific sectors, including paper and packaging, electrical and electronic equipment, lighting, pesticides, lubricant oil, and portable batteries.
• The guide proposes a 7-step circular business model for CEOs: 1) Map resource flows and risks, 2) Select suitable strategies, 3) Determine skills capabilities, 4) Identify pricing strategies, 5) Integrate circular procurement, 6) Measure and report, and 7) Influence supply chain.
• Businesses in the Western Cape can gain a competitive advantage in premium low-carbon markets, such as the EU, US, and UK, by adopting circular design and sustainability standards to meet requirements like the EU's Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.

APA

GreenCape (n.d.). CEO GUIDE TO THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY. https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/CEO-Guide_to-Circular-Economy-WEB.pdf

Chicago

GreenCape. CEO GUIDE TO THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY. n.d. https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/CEO-Guide_to-Circular-Economy-WEB.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=GreenCape |title=CEO GUIDE TO THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY |url=https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/CEO-Guide_to-Circular-Economy-WEB.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{greencapendceo, author = {{GreenCape}}, title = {{CEO GUIDE TO THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY}}, institution = {GreenCape}, url = {https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/CEO-Guide_to-Circular-Economy-WEB.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }