Circular economy in the Swedish public sector

Background and research aims

The aim of this collaborative and applied project is to improve conditions for achieving a circular economy by assisting the public sector in Sweden to find opportunities and tools to achieve circular flows for the products and services they use.

Through the example of office furniture, the project identifies and develops possibilities for public customers to take an active role in the transition towards increased circularity. In this initial feasibility study a framework for customers to analyse their prospects of becoming more circular is developed and tested. The framework supports the identification of structural barriers, opportunities, needs for competence and transformation regarding different ways of organising ownership of furniture. Taking a holistic approach to the customer's situation this framework provides the customer with principles for maintaining the value of furniture throughout the whole chain including procurement, use and disposal.

By studying a specific example such as furniture through case studies in several public organizations, the aim is to learn about informal and formal factors that can affect the ability to act as a circular customer.