As evidence of the negative effects of the climate crisis continues to mount, so does interest in shifting to a circular economy. But what is a circular economy, and why is it important?
According to the EPA, a circular economy “keeps materials, products, and services in circulation for as long as possible.” Circular economy strategies directly oppose the traditional linear economy model, in which raw materials are collected, turned into products, and then discarded as waste.
While the “take-make-waste” mindset of the linear economy has long reigned supreme, more companies are taking steps to shift to circular business models.
How Does the Circular Economy Approach Work?
Since its founding in 2009, the Ellen Macarthur Foundation has been at the forefront of the circular economy movement. The foundation was created by Dame Ellen Macarthur, who completed the fasted solo sail around the globe in 2005.
Throughout the 71 days she spent alone at sea, Macarthur gained a new understanding of the fundamental flaws of the linear system and began to imagine a better alternative. Today, the foundation revolves around the three core principles of the circular economy:
- The elimination of waste and pollution
- Achieving the highest value of products and materials throughout their circulation
- The regeneration of natural resources
As the Foundation puts it, “The circular economy is a systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution.”
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What Is a Circular Job?
Circular jobs support the shift to a circular economy, whether directly or indirectly. They are now cropping up in a wide range of industries as more employers than ever are searching for ways to promote sustainability.
Before understanding what these jobs entail, we must understand what companies and organizations need to do to embrace a circular strategy.
An organization called Circle Economy offers in-depth literature describing the solutions needed to transition from linear to circular systems. But just to give you an idea, here’s a breakdown of the eight key elements of what the organization calls the Disrupt Framework:
- Prioritizing the use of renewable, reusable, and non-toxic resources
- Maintaining, repairing, and re-using materials to extend their lifecycles as much as possible
- Using waste as a resource through recycling and reuse
- Rethinking business models to incorporate more ways to promote sustainability
- Working as a team with other groups and organizations
- Consider sustainability throughout the product design process
- The use of digital resources to track and strengthen responsible resource use
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How to Find Circular Economy Jobs Near You
No matter what type of services you’re qualified to provide, start by searching for sustainable or circular jobs in your city. Depending on your location, you might start by checking out sites like Indeed or Simply Hired to see what opportunities are available.
Environmental Leader also has a great list of some of the best job boards dedicated specifically to sustainable, eco-friendly, or circular jobs. As you scroll through the listings, look for jobs with solid development and long-term compensation programs.
Remember that circular jobs are relatively new, so some employers may be open to providing training. If you want to increase your chances of landing a higher-level job, then check out the learning courses offered by the Ellen Macarthur Foundation or look into the many universities that now offer circular economy courses online.
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Our Methodology for Identifying the Best Careers in the Circular Economy
Countless industries are now creating circular economy jobs focusing on energy efficiency, minimizing waste streams, and developing other policies designed to help benefit the environment. From construction and engineering to customer service representative positions, there are plenty of impactful opportunities for employees of every job title.
So, how did we go about identifying the best green jobs? Throughout our research, we compiled a collection of jobs for employees from diverse backgrounds.
While some of the jobs you’ll find below require specialized skills, others require no more than a high school diploma and a desire to learn. This is by no means a comprehensive list but more of a broad overview of some of the many circular economy jobs available for job seekers with a variety of different skills.
Whether you hope to work in environmental protection, renewable energy, or waste management, there are many opportunities worth looking into.
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Best Circular Economy Jobs
1. Packaging Designer
If you’re looking for one of the most impactful opportunities to reduce plastic waste, you may want to consider jobs in product and packaging design. As e-commerce continues to thrive, many businesses are beginning to realize the impact their packaging has on the environment.
That’s why more employers are turning to eco-friendly packaging agencies to help them identify green shipping solutions. Packaging designers not only work with graphic artists and copywriters to design what the packaging materials will look like but also what materials they will use.
Jobs in this field present great opportunities to develop green packaging materials or to help businesses successfully utilize them in their product packaging models.
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2. LEED Consultant
As green architecture continues to flourish, so does the demand for LEED consultants. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is an organization that grants certifications to buildings that use environmentally friendly components in their design.
LEED Consultants work with building owners and architects to provide insight throughout the building process. From recommending the best green materials to use in an emerging design to how to incorporate renewable energy and other eco-friendly features, LEED consultants share their expert knowledge every step of the way.
Once the project is complete, LEED consultants also help with the LEED certification process.
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3. Green Marketing Jobs
These days, prospective clients appreciate businesses that do their part to contribute to a more sustainable future. As customer expectations change, so does the way businesses market themselves.
Green marketing is a type of marketing that helps clients promote their focus on sustainability and the environment. Green marketers develop campaigns highlighting a company’s sustainability policies, including reducing carbon emissions, recycling, or a commitment to using sustainable packaging.
Helping a company spread the word about its efforts to join the circular economy can attract new customers and encourage other businesses to follow suit.
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4. Solar Installer
Solar energy has advanced significantly over the past few decades. As more residential and commercial customers begin using solar energy as a renewable energy strategy, solar installers are in high demand.
As you may have guessed from the title, a solar installer’s job is to install and activate solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. The great thing about this position is that you don’t necessarily need a college degree to apply.
You can usually learn all the skills you need by enrolling in a trade school or certificate program. Some employers even offer on-the-job training.
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5. Circular Economy Program Manager
Despite its popularity, the circular economy concept is still relatively new. That’s why many major brands are now hiring circular economy program managers with the knowledge needed to help them make the shift.
It can be hard to pinpoint a circular economy manager’s precise job purpose because the position involves many different components. One day, you might help strengthen the brand’s environmental policy, while the next, you might analyze data on waste streams, emissions, or industrial supply chains.
If you’re a great multitasker and love the idea of a constantly evolving job, this could be one of the best ways to use your sustainability policy experience.
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6. Circular Investing Specialist
The concept of the circular economy is gaining more fans every day, and plenty of investors are eager to support the movement financially. Circular investing is a branch of the ESG investing movement that focuses on investing in businesses that are paving the way toward a more circular economy.
If you’re looking to pursue a job in finance while blazing the trail to a more sustainable future, be sure to set up a job alert for circular investing specialist openings. A circular investing specialist directs clients to investment opportunities that support the shift to a circular economy.
The job often also requires building and simultaneously maintaining relationships with circular economy businesses and advocacy groups.
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7. Zero Waste Manager
If you’re looking for circular jobs that will put you on the frontline of the movement, then zero waste manager may be the job title of your dreams. Zero-waste managers help businesses, organizations, and communities develop and implement a zero-waste policy.
A solid circular policy goes far beyond simply adding a few recycling bins and extends to things like:
- Composting
- Ensuring that products are designed to enjoy as long a lifecycle as possible
- Figuring out how to give used materials a second life
- Reducing overall consumption
- Finding ways to integrate the use of regenerative resources
From product design to order management, this job involves overseeing every step of a company’s operations to ensure they’re as environmentally responsible and sustainable as possible.
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8. Join the Team of a Circular Economy- Focused Company
You don’t have to qualify for a senior manager position to enjoy working in a team environment that’s actively focused on circular economic principles. Sims Limited is a leading global company that focuses on metal recycling, circular technology solutions, and renewable energy.
With locations in over 15 countries, the company employs over 4,000 people, each of whom plays a vital role in the company’s mission. A glance at Sims’ latest job alert bulletin is a testament to just how many circular jobs are available, regardless of the skills you bring to the table.
From truck drivers and equipment operators to metal sorters and environmental specialists, the company offers the chance for anyone to become a long-term employee with a solid circular company. If you’re not quite sure what type of circular jobs you qualify for, it’s never a bad idea to look into equitable workplaces that share your values and see what type of opportunities they offer.
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9. Circular Economy Research Analyst
It’s important for organizations to find ways to take the next steps toward adapting further circular economic components. But it’s equally essential for them to collect data on how their current efforts are going.
As a circular economy analyst, your job would be to help out at both ends of the spectrum. From developing new eco-friendly policies to tracking and benchmarking how your company stacks up against other sustainable businesses, research analysts play an important role in helping their employers identify circular economic business opportunities.
Given the importance of the services that these analysts provide, it’s possible to find circular jobs at a variety of different levels. Whether you’re looking for an entry-level job or aspire to become a senior researcher, circular jobs are a great opportunity to put your love of data to great use.
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10. Field Service Manager
If you have a background in management, your services could be put to great use at a sustainable energy company. A field service manager provides vital support in the running of any company, including those dedicated to providing alternative energy sources.
Whether you work for a solar, wind, or hydro-generated energy company, you will oversee the staff and contractors who make the company’s mission a reality. Field service managers play a vital role in establishing equitable workplaces where everyone, from the newest trainee to the most established long-term employee, knows how to fulfill their role to the best of their ability.
You’ll also review projects, monitor costs & profit, coordinate shipments, provide support to other departments, and more. If you love multi-tasking and building relationships, check out field service management jobs with alternative energy companies in your city.
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11. Product Lifecycle Manager
If you’d love to see more products on the market that keep carbon out of the atmosphere and plastic out of landfills, you might consider creating a direct impact as a product lifecycle manager. Every product on the market goes through several stages, from conception and development to maturity and, ultimately, decline.
Product lifecycle managers are involved with each stage of a product’s life span, which produces plenty of great opportunities to contribute eco-friendly ideas. These involve everything from working with engineers to identifying the best sustainable materials for production to ensuring the product has the longest life possible.
Many companies provide generous compensation programs for product lifecycle managers, as their efforts can make the company more sustainable, profitable, and efficient.
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