Figuring out where to start

Alright, so you’ve got your waste reduction targets, your circularity goals or the green light to launch a new initiative. Great! Now, where to begin?

We help organizations understand the system they’re working with so they can identify the most meaningful, efficient, and effective starting point, and avoid wasting time, money, and effort.

Why understanding the system comes first

Circular economy initiatives often struggle when solutions are chosen before the system is properly understood.

Waste streams, supply chains, regulations, market incentives, and stakeholder dynamics all shape what is possible. Without this bigger picture, organizations risk investing time and money in initiatives that look good on paper but are struggling in practice.

We help organizations step back and understand how their system works so they can:

  • Identify the most promising intervention points

  • Avoid costly missteps

  • Align initiatives with policy, market and funding realities

  • Build strong foundations for circular programs and pilots

One you understand the system, the right starting point becomes much clearer!

Typical ways we help

Every organization is SOOO different. So the work always depends on your goals, resources, and timeline.

Some projects are quick diagnostics studies, while others involve deeper research and system mapping. Common starting-point activities include:

  • We map the broader system your organization operates within so you can see how materials, stakeholders, policies, and incentives interact.

    This can include:

    • Stakeholder mapping

    • Value chain mapping

    • Country or sector diagnostics

    • Supply chain analysis

    • Systems mapping workshops

    The goal here is to understand the bigger picture before deciding where to intervene.

  • Understanding what is happening to materials is often the first step toward circular change.

    This work can include:

    • Waste audits

    • Material flow analysis

    • Resource recovery opportunities

    • Contamination analysis

    • Facility or operational waste assessments

    These insights reveal where materials are being lost and where circular opportunities exist.

  • Circular initiatives are shaped by policy, regulation, and market dynamics.

    We conduct targeted research to understand the external environment affecting your project.

    This can include:

    • Policy and regulatory landscape analysis

    • Subsidy and funding landscape scans

    • Market opportunity assessments

    • Benchmarking against other regions or organisations

    This helps ensure circular initiatives align with real-world conditions.

  • Before launching a new initiative, it is important to understand the current starting point.

    Baseline studies help establish measurable indicators that allow progress to be tracked over time.

    This work may include:

    • Baseline impact studies

    • Data collection and analysis

    • Livelihoods or social impact assessments

    • Environmental performance benchmarks

    This creates the foundation for future monitoring and evaluation.

  • Once the system is understood, we identify the most promising intervention points.

    This stage translates research into practical insights.

    It often includes:

    • Identifying circular opportunity areas

    • Prioritising high-impact interventions

    • Early concept development

    • Strategic recommendations for next steps

    The result is a clear direction for where to focus effort first.

I need support!

You might need this support if…

You want to explore circular economy opportunities but don’t know where to start

You need evidence before launching a pilot program

You’re preparing a funding proposal or grant application

You need a clear understanding of waste streams or material flows

You’re entering a new market or region and need context first

You want to identify the highest-impact intervention points

Sample Past Projects

  • Literature Review: Sustainable Livelihoods (GEAPP)

    We worked closely with partners to deliver multiple in-depth literature reviews exploring sustainable livelihoods and just transitions for a global energy access initiative.

  • Benchmarking: In-space Plastic Polymer Recycling (NASA)

    We conducted a scan to benchmark available technology for NASA to address in-space plastic recycling.

  • Landscaping: Circular & Inclusive Digital Futures for Uganda (CIDFU) Programme

    We led research and partner mapping for a multi-stakeholder consortium across continents in order to address post-consumer ICT waste, circular entrepreneurship, and digital access & skills for Ugandan urban and rural communities.

Book an Explore Call!

“We had the pleasure of working together last year on the impact report for Delen is Helen, and [TWNS’s] impact assessment made a real difference. [They] helped us translate soft values of the weggeefwinkel into numbers, insights and a story that potential sponsors and supporters could understand. So yes: if anyone is looking for solid, funder-ready impact reporting grounded in circular thinking, I can highly recommend working with [them].” 

— Karola (Delen in Helen WegGeefWinkel)

Ready to understand your circular opportunities?

Book an Explore Call Today