The circular economy is a new way to design, make, and use things within environmental
limits, moving away from our current linear approach of “take-make-use-waste” and its global to
local damaging consequences. Transitioning from our current unsustainable and predominantly
linear economic approach to a circular economy requires changes in mindsets and activities at all
scales across the globe. It includes reducing the need for materials, designing out pollution and
waste, and keeping products and materials in use, while also regenerating nature and using renewable energy. This shift has already begun and involves everyone including businesses, governments,
financial institutions, individuals, and yes—impact assessment (IA) professionals.