The Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) develops and promotes the implementation of the circular economy in collaboration with industry, academia and policymakers. A circular economy is based on the principles of designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. The circular economy is a way to design, make, and use things within planetary boundaries.

The EMF focuses on six interlinking areas: 

• Learning: developing the vision, skills and mindsets needed to transition to a circular economy
• Business: catalysing circular innovation and creating the conditions for it to reach scale
• Institutions, Governments and Cities: Creating the enabling conditions for a circular economy to thrive
• Insight and Analysis: providing robust evidence about the benefits and implications of the transition
• Systemic Initiatives: transforming key material flows to scale the circular economy globally
• Communications: engaging a global audience around the circular economy

Launched in 2010 by Dame Ellen MacArthur, the UK-based charity frequently publishes comprehensive industry reports that present the case for a circular economy, such as Financing the Circular Economy – Capturing the Opportunity, Universal Circular Economy Policy Goals, Circulytics – Measuring Circularity, Toolkit for Policymakers and more.

EMF works with a range of organisations to apply circular principles across sectors through their systemic initiatives inspired by the World Economic Forum which include The New Plastics Economy, Make Fashion Circular and Circular Economy for Food. Partnered organisations include start-ups and corporations such as Phillips and BlackRock; consultancies such as IDEO and Arup; and government institutions such as the Danish Business Authority and the City of Milan.

EMF offers educational resources for diverse audiences. This includes curriculum development and summer schools for colleges, iTunes U courses, lesson plans, workshops, the Circular Economy Learning Hub, the Circular Design Guide, podcasts, Youtube videos and online events.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s mission is to accelerate the transition to a circular economy.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation receives funds from corporate partnerships and memberships, philanthropic trusts, grant awarding bodies and individuals.

For more information see here.