By Angélique

The circular economy is defined as an economic exchange system that is sparing in its sourcing of resources and efficient in their use. It proposes rethinking how we produce, consume, and cooperate, in order to regenerate ecosystems, extend product lifespans, and limit environmental impacts.

To move from concept to action, nothing beats concrete examples. So in this article, we offer a selection of landmark projects to inspire you and help you identify the levers best suited to your context.

What you should remember:

  • The circular economy offers concrete solutions to rethink our models of production, consumption, and cooperation.
  • Projects like those carried out with Stade Vélodrome, the City of Paris, or SULO show that every organization can take action at its own scale.
  • There are many levers available: eco-design, reuse, pooling, and the functional economy, to be adapted to your context.
  • Circulab's tools facilitate diagnosis, co-creation, and the implementation of a circular approach.
  • Getting trained is a key step to moving into action.

A few circular economy projects led by Circulab

For more than 10 years, Circulab has supported companies and local authorities in transforming their economic models, mobilizing systems thinking and circular design tools. These projects are concrete examples of the circular economy, designed to address a wide range of real-world challenges.

The ones we present here are just a sample of the missions carried out by our studio. They illustrate the diversity of levers activated: waste reduction, territorial cooperation, eco-design, reuse: all grounded in a logic of sobriety and positive impact.

Orange Vélodrome Stadium

The Vélodrome Stadium launched a circular economy initiative to better manage waste flows linked to food and beverage consumption. The goal was clear: reduce the waste generated during matches while improving the fan experience.

Indeed, according to the French Ministry of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, an event of about 5,000 people can generate up to 2.5 tonnes of waste. An initiative like the Vélodrome's is therefore essential both to reduce the stadium's environmental footprint, cut its operating costs, and optimize its logistics.

As a result, a set of specifications and circular action recommendations were delivered, allowing this iconic stadium to make the most of its waste flows.

City of Paris

The City of Paris launched an ambitious circular economy initiative to support the phase-out of single-use plastic across the territory. It wanted to imagine and propose concrete solutions, co-built with local actors, to facilitate the shift to reuse.

Every year, more than 15,000 tonnes of plastic waste are generated in Paris, a significant share of which comes from takeaway food sales. By mobilizing local actors around reuse solutions, the City is launching a territorial dynamic to limit this waste at the source, while making it easier for users and professionals to get on board.

Today, a standardized calculator has been created to measure your plastic waste consumption, so don't hesitate to check out the Paris Zero Plastic Challenge website.

SULO

SULO, a major player in waste container and management services, partnered with Circulab to simplify sorting for residents, professionals, and associations, while reducing the risks and costs associated with this waste.

The project resulted in a functional prototype of a mobile reception space, designed to optimize user journeys and include local actors. This system aims to reduce dangerous handling for collectors, make reuse easier for associations, and improve residents' autonomy.

In short, this project improved service performance (simplicity, safety) and strengthened social ties by creating a shared space for managing bulky waste, a key issue in collective housing areas.

Other landmark projects, by type of circular economic model

The circular economy isn't limited to a single method or lever. It takes shape through a variety of strategies, depending on the sector, business model, and priorities of each organization. Many large companies have already integrated the pillars of the circular economy in a structured way: eco-design, the functional economy, reuse, resource pooling.

In this section, we offer a few concrete examples of pioneering companies, each illustrating a different angle of the circular economy. These initiatives show that it's possible to align economic performance, environmental impact, and shared value creation.

Moving to the functional economy with Commown

Commown is a French cooperative that offers long-term rental of durable electronic products (smartphones, computers, audio headsets). Rather than selling the devices, it makes them available with a full service: maintenance, repairability, exchange if needed, and take-back at end of life.

This model encourages eco-design, extends the lifespan of equipment, and avoids planned obsolescence. It's particularly relevant for organizations looking to combine digital use with sobriety.

Pooling resources with Allovoisins

Allovoisins is a French platform that promotes the pooling of goods and services between individuals and professionals. Need a tool, a vehicle, or a skill for a one-off need? Rather than buying, users can rent or exchange locally.

With more than 4 million users in 2025, Allovoisins illustrates how a more sparing, cooperative usage economy can take lasting root in local territories.

Repairing & reusing with Envie

Envie is a network of work-integration companies present across France. It collects, repairs, and resells second-hand household appliances at solidarity prices. Each refurbished product is an alternative to buying new, helping reduce waste while creating local jobs.

In 2022, Envie brought more than 100,000 pieces of equipment back into circulation, avoiding several thousand tonnes of waste. This socially useful model remains a reference in France.

Why draw inspiration from circular economy projects?

Moving from concept to action

The circular economy can seem abstract if it isn't illustrated with real-world situations. Observing what other companies have already put in place lets you understand the concrete levers for action, the potential obstacles, and the benefits you can expect.

Identifying levers

The projects listed show that there are as many forms of the circular economy as there are industries. By drawing on a variety of cases, every company can identify paths applicable to its context.

Avoiding pitfalls

Analyzing lessons learned lets you save time, avoid certain common mistakes, and build a strategy more firmly grounded in reality. It also makes it easier to mobilize teams by showing that the transition is possible, step by step.

How to start a circular economy project in your company?

Rely on circular design tools

To effectively structure a circular economy initiative, it's essential to start from a systemic vision. This is exactly what the tools developed by Circulab enable, tested across all the projects mentioned above.

  • Value Chain Canvas
    This tool lets you map resources and flows across the value chain to identify points of vulnerability and circularity levers.
  • Partner Map
    This tool lets you identify the key relationships in your ecosystem, anticipate tensions or synergies, and facilitate cooperation.
  • Circular Canvas
    This tool helps you rethink your business model as a whole, taking into account environmental, social, and economic impacts.

These tools are freely accessible and available in 11 languages. Using them makes it easier to step back, mobilize teams, and concretely transform your business.

In addition, measurement tools like LCA or carbon footprint let you prioritize actions based on real impacts, and root your circular approach in a logic of measurable reduction of emissions and resource consumption.

Get trained in the circular economy

Getting started in the circular economy often requires new skills and stepping back from your practices. To speed up this transformation, it can help to rely on experts, on-the-ground partners, or specialized training organizations.

At Circulab Academy, we offer several programs tailored to your level and objectives. Whether you want to discover, apply, or deploy this new economic model, or simply get a toolkit, we support you in your circularity journey.

All our training is customizable and designed for concrete, actionable results.

In short

By observing what others have put in place, testing suitable tools, and building your skills, it becomes possible to transform your business at your own pace, taking your on-the-ground realities into account. Whether you're a company, a local authority, or an engaged actor, the concrete examples and approaches presented here show that the transition is already underway, and that it can start today, step by step.

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