History and evolution of the circular economy and circular economy business models

This chapter critically traces the antecedents of the circular economy and presents its history in three periods—(i) pre-1990s; (ii) 1990–2010; and (iii) 2010–present and beyond—to illustrate how the narrative of the circular economy has developed over time. Following the history and contemporary implications of the concept, the chapter then addresses how the circular economy can move from theory to practice by discussing the various circular economy business models extant in the literature. Building on these, we propose a Holistic Circular Business Model Canvas. We conclude by discussing future research areas that are crucial for the development and adoption of the circular economy and circular economy business models.