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Circular economy

As we strive towards a better and more sustainable future, the way technologies are designed, built, used and re-used will change.

Evolving to a more sustainable mindset

Accelerating a more sustainable future hinges on moving beyond the traditional take-make-waste model. This linear approach dates to the start of the First Industrial Revolution and is insufficient today. Natural resources are limited. Regulatory pressure is mounting. Navigating global supply chains is complex. But we’re working on solutions.

By applying a circular mindset, we’re transforming the way we design, manufacture, maintain, refresh and recycle products. Our approach creates new possibilities to do more with less, so you can reach your sustainability goals faster, increase resource efficiency, maximize economic benefits and boost operational resilience. 

Additional economic output by 2030 with the transition to a circular economy
$4.5T
Additional economic output by 2030 with the transition to a circular economy
total demand for resources by 2050
130B tons
total demand for resources by 2050
Overuse of the earth's capacity projected by 2050
400
%
Overuse of the earth's capacity projected by 2050

From take-make-waste to waste reimagined

Bold action is needed to minimize the impact of climate change. Moving from a linear economic model to one that is circular is essential to a sustainable future. Resource scarcity is driving new urgency. Demand for sustainable solutions is surging. Boosting supply chain resiliency is a must. Digital transformation creates never-before-possible efficiencies. These drivers are creating momentum and are accelerating the shift towards a circular economy.

At the same time, the world’s population is increasing and regulatory bodies are pressing for change. Achieving sustainability goals is not only good business, but also essential for the health of the planet – and seizing new opportunities to reuse and refurbish equipment can play a major role in our journey toward a low-carbon future.  

Eaton's circular economy model 

Our approach builds more sustainable businesses and communities. Emphasizing durability, upgradability, and reparability. Boosting energy and resource efficiency. And delivering powerful benefits.

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Design

A focus on circularity and serviceability at the outset enables more environmentally friendly technologies. Components can be replaced. Equipment is designed to be updated, modernized and reconditioned.

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Refresh

Refreshing technologies keeps solutions working as intended and can restore some of their original value. There are times when equipment can be remanufactured or refurbished, providing as-new condition or even adding new capabilities.

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Build

Making things more sustainable with recycled sourcing, less raw materials, re-used valuable resources and repurposing technologies is essential.

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Recycle

Recycling is another way to keep materials in use. It transforms a product back to its foundational materials, so they can be repurposed and reprocessed for new value.

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Extend

A circular economy requires that things are made to be used, maintained and repaired. This is a way to make the most of our resources and shift beyond a throwaway society.

"As a society, and as businesses, we will not want to dispose of these higher-value products quickly, the preference will be for circularity to preserve value. This will, of course, limit the consumption of natural resources: a sustainable electrical manufacturing and supply industry will be an asset in a low-carbon world."
Jean Miyeli, EMEA segment & sustainability strategy director

We're applying our circular mindset across product lifecycles

We are transforming the way we designbuildextendrefresh and recycle products. Enabling our solutions to work even longer. Manufacturing locally, with recycled sourcing, less materials and energy. Building infrastructure made to last. And recycling as a last resort. 

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Design

Our steadfast focus on durability, modularity and repairability means that our technologies will work even longer. We are engineering solutions so materials can be separated, and when equipment can no longer be put to work or refurbished, materials can be recycled. Our approach helps meet tight project timelines, improve energy efficiency, and reduce costs.

Build

We’re looking at how we build and source things. We continue to strengthen our commitment to global supply chain sustainability. At the same, we’re transforming how things are made. For example, by leveraging longstanding expertise in additive manufacturing, we’re enabling more efficient, compact and lightweight technologies that support local manufacturing and significantly reduce energy consumption, costs and supply chain complexity.

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Extend

To minimize new resources and enable infrastructure that lasts, we build things to be maintained. Much of what we make is used for decades to come. Our capabilities in maintainance and modernization of equipment help to compress project timelines and reduce downtime while lessening environmental impact and waste.

Refresh

Our certified refurbished and reconditioned equipment is tested, repaired and modernized to stringent manufacturing standards. Delivering new digital capabilities in vintage equipment, driving operational uptime, reducing capital costs and more. 

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Recycle

When equipment reaches the end of its useful life and there is no way to preserve its value, we can decommission, dismantle and recycle— ensuring the reuse of resources and preventing waste-to-landfill trajectory. 

Promoting energy efficiency, reusing and recycling materials, supporting renewable energy sources, and developing new business models that prioritize the circular use of resources can help accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future.

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  • Circular economy insights