The 2030 Agenda Circular Economy Working Group presented the document within an initiative of Mexico’s Business Coordinating Council and Global Compact Mexico.

By JOSÉ ÁNGEL DE LA PAZ | EGADE BUSINESS SCHOOL

The SWIT research group of EGADE Business School - Tecnológico de Monterrey led the compilation of the report “Circular Economy Best Practices.”

Eduardo Aguiñaga Maldonado, Research Professor and Director of Full-Time Programs at EGADE Business School, and Bertha Leticia Treviño Elizondo, Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences student at Tec de Monterrey, both of whom are members of the SWIT group, were in charge of this task.

The document describes best practices in Mexico’s private sector and provides tools for companies of any size to transition from a linear to a circular economy, seeking to further the country’s sustainable development.

In detail, the SWIT group analyzed the best practices of Grupo Alen, Arca Continental, Heineken México, Bio Pappel, Coca-Cola FEMSA, Braskem Ideas, and Natura, organizing them through the ReSOLVE framework, developed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the consulting firm McKinsey & Company.

“We hope these best practices will inspire other organizations to transition to a circular model,” Aguiñaga commented.

The circular economy focuses on changing the linear model that currently predominates and which is based on practices such as the extraction of virgin resources, product manufacturing, and their ultimate disposal.

“This linear model is, by design, environmentally harmful and inefficient, so the circular economy has emerged as a viable alternative to reverse this dynamic, regenerating natural and social systems, and creating opportunities for economic and social prosperity for all, as well as new industrial operating models,” the report affirms.

The 2030 Agenda Working Groups (AWG2030) comprise a joint initiative of Mexico’s Business Coordinating Council and Global Compact Mexico, seeking to fulfill the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the 2030 Agenda.

There are 18 working groups in the framework of this initiative, one of which is the 2030 Agenda Circular Economy Working Group. From a systemic perspective, this group aims to drive a culture for businesses’ transition towards a circular economy in Mexico.  

ABOUT THE SWIT GROUP

SWIT is a think tank of EGADE Business School, led by Professor Carlos Scheel, designed to engage sustainability, technology, innovation strategy, and industrial engineering experts, centered on producing frameworks, methodologies, and viable practices, to solve relevant problems for companies, industries, and society, and create growing sustainable returns and prosperous regional growth.

Download the report “Circular Economy Best Practices” here.