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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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
“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)