This thesis explores how circular business models aimed at product and material recovery for revalorization are approached within the fashion and furnishing sectors. Two of the companies operate within the fashion sector and the other two, within the furnishing sector. The exploration focuses on first and foremost, how these companies deal with the interconnectedness of the economic, social and environmental aspects in terms of sustainability in their pursuit of the triple bottom line as an entirety.

Secondly, the goal of this exploration aims at collecting experiences and lessons learned by the four investigated companies. Since companies are indulged to go beyond their boundaries when approaching circular business concepts, issues related to networking and partnerships have been explored as well.

Primary data has been collected through semi-structured interviews with persons responsible for sustainability in the four investigated companies. Data analysis has been used for the introduction and conceptual framework. Data from the companies’ official websites have been used for cross references as well. Grounded theory has been applied as an iterative process to gain a deeper understanding of the investigated phenomena.

Currently, there is growing need to shift from the current linear economic system due to resource depletion, environmental and social impacts associated with the current make-use-discard linear way we create value nowadays. Climate change, toxic chemical substances that are hazardous to society and environment and loss of biodiversity are among the major concerns of linear economy. Moreover, scientific studies forecast that resource prices will increase within this 21st century. Currently, policy makers, societies and businesses are striving to find and implement possible solutions to the aforementioned concerns. In December, 2015, circular economy was proposed by the European Commission as an optimal substitute of linear economy. Currently, there is a growing interest towards circular business models aimed at product and material recovery for revalorization most especially, among companies. However, although there is such a growing interest for circular economy, circular business concepts are still emerging, therefore new. Additionally, based on my experiences from working with companies on transition to circular business models, there is also a growing need to share experiences within circular economy.

This thesis has focused on collecting experience and lessons learned within product-service and take-back systems as emerging circular business models for product and material recovery for revalorization. The finding of this thesis are not be generalized because each of the investigated companies are unique and should perceived likewise. However, the findings of this thesis may benefit some of the companies I work with and probably, may also point out some of the prerequisites for circular economy for other interested stakeholders such as policy makers and etc.