Let me start this article with a question. If you look around in your house, how many cell phones can you find that are not being used anymore? I myself traced four mobile phones, two of them sitting in a box from 10 years ago. Given the presence of some precious metals in these devices, I feel responsible for preventing their embodied resources to flow back in the material supply chain. The situation is more alarming when we consider the rapid rise in discarded electronics, such as phones, laptops, fridges, sensors, and TVs, that are not only contributing to a huge loss of resources but also containing substances that pose environmental and health risks.
In circular economy, we are aiming to maintain the value of parts and materials for as long as possible. Implementing circular strategies requires understanding both the technical feasibility and the logistics needed to recover and redistribute materials effectively. This entails much more control over the flow of products to ensure that circular strategies such as repair, remanufacture, and reuse can be efficiently used over several lives of each product. In this regard, logistics and transportation operations play critical roles in the success of circular business models and the scaled-up implementation of circular economy approaches across industries.
For a long time, the forward logistics has powered global trade through the transport of materials, goods and information. And now, with our goal of advancing towards circular economy, the reverse logistics becomes more and more important to manage the return, recovery and remanufacture of products entering the economy.
This aspect of circular economy can certainly benefit significantly from the rapidly growing field of digitization, e.g., the Internet of Things, to enable seamless tracking of products during the use phase, besides facilitating return and recovery planning. The collected data can also guide future design and decision making to optimize the execution of circular strategies.
Needless to say that in a holistic approach, the benefits of logistics activities to circular economy can only be realized and maximized when combined with other strategies. For example, encouraging consumers to participate in return logistics may call for awarding customers for return, or adopting a use-based business model, in which manufacturer retains product ownership and customers pay for the use.
In addition, some of the challenges imposed on the logistics of circular economy, such as poor predictability of material streams and small batches, signifies the importance of collaboration and network building to speed up our transition to large-scale and cost efficient uptake of circular strategies.
Going back to the example of mobile phones and the resources lost when these devices reach to their end-of-use term, companies like Fairphone, based in the Netherlands, has built the business model and the logistics to recycle old mobile phones besides offering its own brand of cell phone that is more obliging to the principles of the circular economy, particularly repairability and remanufacturability. Such business initiatives are important and need to be extended to other electronic devices as a means to address the growing e-waste problem.
Originating from Barcelona, Laia’s educational journey led her to pursue secondary studies in the south of France. Her Bachelor’s degree in Economics and International Management allowed her to develop an analytical mindset. During her Master’s in International Business and Management, she engaged in numerous research study cases and actively participated in the creation of different business plans. This helped her develop an ability to critically analyze and address the strategic challenges that companies encounter.
Andre has over 5 years of industry experience in project management, polymer and composite processing, materials characterization, and product development. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil, and a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Technology from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, where he focused on Polymer and Composite materials. In 2012, he founded a design and manufacturing company specializing in biocomposites made with natural fibers, which he successfully sold in 2015.
As an expert in sustainability, life cycle assessment, circular economy, and green chemistry, Nicolas possesses valuable skills and knowledge that can assist companies in developing and implementing sustainable and environmentally-friendly business models. They can achieve this by utilizing eco-friendly materials, improving manufacturing processes, reducing waste and hazardous chemical use, and advocating for the use of safer and more sustainable alternatives.
Karan is an experienced professional who has worked in multiple geographies and roles along his career. He holds a total of 10+ years of experience in manufacturing operations, and has focused his efforts towards finding solutions for waste recovery and making recovery economical for industries. 
With several years of research experience in France and Canada, Fabien lends his expertise and passion for enzymology and microbiology to 5REDO’s sustainability innovation plans. 
With her significant hands-on experience in developing and characterizing biological and chemical systems, Vicky plays a key role in 5REDO’s efforts toward developing novel products and technologies that offer improved circularity and sustainability to the industry and society. 
As a recent graduate of chemical engineering from the University of Waterloo, Kyle brings his passion for impactful innovation and his experience with novel recycling processes to 5REDO to support our technology development initiatives. 
As our Senior Research Scientist, Hormoz draws on his eight years of industrial and nine years of academic research experience in the areas of polymer science and engineering to develop new solutions for advancing circularity and sustainability.
Shauna is a freelance journalist that covers a wide range of topics, including health, education, the environment, travel, lifestyle trends, and more. She holds a Master of Journalism from Carleton University, and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Global Development from Queen’s University.
By leveraging her expertise in life cycle analysis and process engineering, Ophela helps 5REDO to take a holistic approach to the development of circular solutions and technologies. 
As the co-founder of 5REDO, Forough brings her expertise in supply chain management, business operations, inventory control, and revenue management to support the implementation of circular solutions within different industry sectors.
With a passion for driving change and creating impact, Mahdi co-founded 5REDO to promote circular economy principles in Canada. He’s an alumnus of the 2021 Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s ‘From Linear to Circular Programme.’ Mahdi played a pivotal role in developing and managing the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Circular Economy Seed Funding program, fostering partnerships between companies and academic researchers to co-create circular solutions.