Report

The global economy remains more than 91% linear. One of the least visible barriers to transforming it: the absence of a shared language.

How do you engage your teams on reuse if nobody distinguishes "reusing" from "re-employing"?
How do you defend a circular business case if the term "recyclable" is used incorrectly?

Since 2017, Circul'R has supported more than 70% of CAC 40 companies through their transition. That work on the ground has convinced us of one thing: understanding comes before action. This is why we have put together this glossary (made available open source) so that executives, CSR teams and buyers finally speak the same language.

A preview: 5 essential definitions

Circular economy

An economic model that aims to preserve natural resources and eliminate the very notion of waste. By placing resource sufficiency at the heart of the way it works, it enables the development of responsible business models. In its most advanced form it does not simply "destroy less": it regenerates natural ecosystems.

It should be clearly distinguished from sustainable development (a broad normative framework) and from CSR (a reporting framework): the circular economy is an operational model, with direct levers on material flows, products and uses.

Ecodesign

Taking environmental criteria into account from the design stage of a good or service, across its entire life cycle. Ecodesign anticipates circular loops - repairability, disassembly, recyclability - before the product exists. The European ESPR regulation (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products) is progressively making it mandatory for many product categories.

Reuse vs. recycling: a hierarchy that changes everything

This is one of the costliest points of confusion in business. Recycling is the last loop to consider in the circular hierarchy - not the first. It consumes energy, water and often virgin materials as a top-up. Reuse, repair and refurbishment preserve far more of a product's value.

The full glossary sets out the "R"s of the circular economy in their exact hierarchical order, with the operational distinctions between each level.

Recyclable ≠ recycled

A material can be technically recyclable and never actually be recycled in practice, for want of a collection and processing chain in the territory concerned. Using "recyclable" without that qualification now carries real legal risk: the European directive on environmental claims regulates these terms strictly.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

A mechanism that makes producers financially and/or operationally responsible for the end of life of their products. In France, more than 25 EPR schemes now exist. The AGEC law has significantly broadened their scope since 2020. Knowing which EPR scheme applies to you is a prerequisite for any circular strategy.

What the full glossary contains

The downloadable document covers the whole of the operational vocabulary:

• The "R"s of the circular economy, in their hierarchical order
• Materials terms: primary, secondary, critical and bio-based raw materials, urban mining
• Product terms: LCA, repairability index, planned obsolescence, useful life vs. service life
• Value chain terms: collection, reverse logistics, closed-loop and open-loop recycling, industrial and territorial ecology
• Regulatory terms: the AGEC law, EPR, CSRD, ESPR - with the points to watch when communicating

FAQ

Why is the term "biodegradable" banned in France?

The AGEC law prohibits its use without specifying the degradation environment and the timeframe. Without those qualifications, it is considered a misleading claim.

What is the difference between reuse and re-employment?

Re-employment concerns a product that has never acquired waste status. Reuse applies to a product that has. It is an important operational and legal distinction, set out in detail in the glossary.

Can this glossary be used freely?

Yes. Circul'R makes this work available open source to everyone involved in the transition.