To create a sustainable and just future, this value generation needs to be both economic and social. An essential part of this transition are social enterprises. Social enterprises are organizations designed to jointly meet economic and social objectives, and many of the circular economy pioneers in communities are from this sector. For instance, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore captures construction materials for reuse, and Salvation Army, Goodwill and other thrift stores have long advance circularity in clothing, textiles and other materials.

As part of Our Food Future and COIL we worked with a range of social entrepreneurs to prototype and scale new circular economy strategies – including upcycling food into delicious meals for the community, and using upcycled food inputs to create jobs from underemployed groups.