In some sectors, scaling up the circular economy is a key activity in company strategies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, protect against biodiversity loss, and adapt to a warmer world. The circular economy is a model of production and consumption which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. The scaling up of the circular economy may have adverse human rights impacts on informal waste workers who are often already marginalised and vulnerable. In some geographies, companies will shift their supply chains away from the production of certain materials in favour of recycled materials. Closing loops in supply chains due to the scaling up of the circular economy may lead to additional adverse human rights impacts, particularly for the markets and geographies that are left behind.