Circular economy does not have to be a large-scale transformation, if you know where to start.
This is where many companies find themselves today. Pressure is increasing, driven by regulation, customer expectations, and internal sustainability targets. At the same time, one key question often remains unanswered:
How do we translate this topic into concrete, manageable steps?
What is often underestimated is that the challenge rarely lies in a lack of awareness or relevance. More often, what is missing is a clear structure that turns an abstract concept into something actionable.
As companies look more closely, circular economy can quickly feel overwhelming. Products, materials, supply chains, regulatory requirements and internal processes are all interconnected. Everything appears relevant at once. The result is that the topic is either postponed, or fragmented initiatives emerge without a clear direction.
Getting started: reducing complexity
Companies that make real progress take a different approach. Rather than trying to address everything at once, they deliberately reduce complexity. The starting point is not action but clarity.
The first step is to understand product responsibility in practical terms. Topics such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) are widely known but often not fully understood in their implications.
Answering these questions creates focus and helps avoid investing effort in the wrong areas.
Building on this, companies need a clear view of their material and product flows.
In practice, this often reveals gaps, inefficiencies, and even existing structures that can be built upon.
Only at this stage does it make sense to define concrete actions. These rarely involve major transformations at the outset. Instead, companies tend to begin with pragmatic entry points, such as optimising packaging, adjusting material use, or improving existing take-back processes. These quick wins are manageable, but they have a tangible impact. They create momentum and make the topic more concrete internally.
At the same time, it becomes clear which regulatory requirements need to be prioritised. Not every obligation has the same level of urgency. The key is to understand where immediate action is required and where a more gradual approach is appropriate. This prioritisation is what distinguishes companies that move forward from those that remain in analysis.
From first steps to implementation
In practice, circular economy rarely begins with a comprehensive strategy. More often, it starts with a specific issue. For example, a company may begin by analysing its packaging flows due to increasing regulatory pressure. This leads to initial adjustments in materials or processes. At the same time, it may become apparent that existing take-back solutions are not being used systematically. Over time, these steps evolve into a more structured approach.
This also highlights an important shift in perspective. Circular economy is not a one-off project with a defined end point. It evolves alongside changing regulations, market developments, and growing internal capabilities. Companies that recognise this early tend to act more pragmatically. They start with what is relevant today and develop their approach over time.
Many organisations reach this stage. They have a clear understanding of their position, have identified key areas for action, and have defined initial priorities. Yet implementation often remains slow.
This is because decisions now need to be translated into processes. Responsibilities need to be embedded in day-to-day operations. Individual measures need to form part of a functioning system.
This is where the real bottleneck emerges.
At this stage, we at 1cc GmbH, together with our sister company TechProtect GmbH, support companies in creating transparency across regulatory developments and circular economy strategies. This foundation enables organisations to translate complexity into clear priorities, actionable steps, and a roadmap for implementation, including sustainable operations such as take-back and trade-in programmes.