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Transforming Circular Economy Thinking Using the Forest as a Metaphor

Author

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  • Emma H. E. Fromberg

    (Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CE Delft, The Netherlands
    School of Technology, The University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership, Cambridge CB2 1GG, UK)

  • Conny A. Bakker

    (Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, 2628 CE Delft, The Netherlands)

  • David Peck

    (Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology, 2628 BL Delft, The Netherlands
    Research, Development and PhD Studies Division, Estonian Business School, 10114 Tallinn, Estonia)

Abstract

Current circular economy discourse is largely shaped by metaphors similar to the ones used for a linear economy: the machine metaphor, competitive metaphor and the journey metaphor. Metaphors influence patterns of thought, what ideas and solutions are valued (and which are not). Therefore, if a radical economic change is desired, it is important to explore which radically different metaphors could inform this thinking. This study explores the use of the forest as a source domain to enrich circular economy discourse. First, through a qualitative enquiry, intuitive knowledge about a forest is mapped out. Then, circular economy experts were asked to project these insights onto circular economy discourse. The results are presented as practical subdomains that can be applied within design, business and educational contexts. The findings show rich insights related to dealing with wholeness, the importance of relationship, and response to change. The Results Section presents concrete prompts for activating these source domains and applying these as a prompt for ideation. This research contributes to circular economy education by using metaphors derived from nature as a tool for reflection and novel circular economy conceptualisations.

Suggested Citation

  • Emma H. E. Fromberg & Conny A. Bakker & David Peck, 2025. "Transforming Circular Economy Thinking Using the Forest as a Metaphor," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-24, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:5:p:1858-:d:1597049
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Oh, Deog-Seong & Phillips, Fred & Park, Sehee & Lee, Eunghyun, 2016. "Innovation ecosystems: A critical examination," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 54(C), pages 1-6.
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