The circular economy is a model that aims to minimize waste and the use of raw materials by promoting recycling and regenerative processes, inspired by the natural world’s efficiency and circularity. While the Industrial Revolution has led to linear economic growth and environmental degradation, recent developments in legislation, industry innovations, and public-private partnerships are paving the way for a circular economy in the US. For example, California’s Responsible Textile Recovery Act and Oregon’s Plastic Pollution and Recycling Modernization Act aim to reduce textile and plastic waste. The infrastructure industry is also adopting circular approaches, with startups like ECOR and Hempitecture creating eco-friendly building materials.
The textile industry is also evolving, with companies like Ambercycle and Evrnu developing technologies to recycle and regenerate materials. Public-private initiatives like Beam Circular and Circular Systems are promoting bio-circularity and upcycling industrial byproducts. The Israeli government can align its National Circular Economy Plan with existing regulations, implementation challenges, and funding gaps to maximize impact. Binational partnerships between Israeli and US companies can also drive innovation, as seen in collaborations like Plasticback and TripleW. By combining expertise and technologies, companies can scale novel solutions and reduce environmental impact.