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The Waste-Free World: How the Circular Economy Will Take Less, Make More, and Save the Planet
The next revolution in business will provide for a sustainable future, from founder, CEO and circular economy expert Ron Gonen
Our take-make-waste economy has cost consumers and taxpayers billions while cheating us out of a habitable planet. But it doesn’t have to be this way. The Waste-Free World makes a persuasive, forward-looking case for a circular economic model, a “closed-loop” system that wastes no natural resources. Entrepreneur, CEO and sustainability expert Ron Gonen argues that circularity is not only crucial for the planet but holds immense business opportunity.
As the founder of an investment firm focused on the circular economy, Gonen reveals brilliant innovations emerging worldwide— “smart” packaging, robotics that optimize recycling, nutrient rich fabrics, technologies that convert food waste into energy for your home, and many more. Drawing on his experience in technology, business, and city government and interviews with leading entrepreneurs and top companies, he introduces a vital and growing movement.
The Waste-Free World invites us all to take part in a sustainable and prosperous future where companies foster innovation, investors recognize long term value creation, and consumers can align their values with the products they buy.
Our take-make-waste economy has cost consumers and taxpayers billions while cheating us out of a habitable planet. But it doesn’t have to be this way. The Waste-Free World makes a persuasive, forward-looking case for a circular economic model, a “closed-loop” system that wastes no natural resources. Entrepreneur, CEO and sustainability expert Ron Gonen argues that circularity is not only crucial for the planet but holds immense business opportunity.
As the founder of an investment firm focused on the circular economy, Gonen reveals brilliant innovations emerging worldwide— “smart” packaging, robotics that optimize recycling, nutrient rich fabrics, technologies that convert food waste into energy for your home, and many more. Drawing on his experience in technology, business, and city government and interviews with leading entrepreneurs and top companies, he introduces a vital and growing movement.
The Waste-Free World invites us all to take part in a sustainable and prosperous future where companies foster innovation, investors recognize long term value creation, and consumers can align their values with the products they buy.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published April 6, 2021
35 people are currently reading
761 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 8, 2021
Plenty of platitudes and the ubiquitous case studies of corporates adopting new circularity models... a nice primer if you are new to the idea of circular economy but do we really need one more book extolling the virtues of circularity and systems change via the usual suspect examples (Interface et al)? Less than dynamic writing, generic thinking in a now crowded talk space... more a vanity piece than a meaningful contribution to the much needed dialogue of HOW we move forward from the why and what of circularity.
July 13, 2022
Một cuốn sách đem lại cho mình khá nhiều kiến thức về thực trạng ô nhiễm môi trường cũng như rác thải hiện nay do những ngành công nghiệp như xây dựng và thời trang gây ra. Khá nhiều điều đã được tác giả bóc mẽ và thẳng thắn nói ra sự thật. Những giải pháp để tiến tới một thế giới không rác thải mà tác giả và những người có cùng chí hướng đưa ra mình thấy khá hợp lý và cũng không quá khó để thực hiện. Nhưng để thực hiện được điều này thì ý thức của từng con người trên thế giới này là điều quan trọng nhất.
July 9, 2021
If you are interested in the circular economy and how businesses are moving to combat climate change and stay competitive this is a good primer. Ron Gonen has done a tremendous amount of research to present a holistic view of the business world across most major industries. I look forward to future editions of this book that will show how industry has changed over time. If you are reading this book after 2023 I would anticipate that much of its information will be outdated but right now in 2021 it’s a great peak into how business and the environment could and are working together.
arcs
January 12, 2021Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Portfolio for providing an ARC!
January 24, 2024
Cool insights into companies innovating in the circular economy space, but thats about it. Story didn’t feel like it had too great of an ending, read more like an extended news article.
August 26, 2021
This book isn’t terrible, but it’s not really useful. The author focuses on “sustainable” innovations that we know in the long term are not workable solutions. He also approaches each sustainable project uncritically, as though none of them have any possible drawbacks. It seems like this entire book is selling the idea we can save the planet while still having as much stuff.
June 6, 2025
This book is very American (including the audiobook narrator, who sounds like he's straight from a YouTube infomercial), but I listened to the entire book because I found the content interesting and generally reaffirming for my economic viewpoint.
The thesis is inspiring and hopeful: that a circular economy is plausible and that investing in circular solutions is good business (as long as we also work to overcome the subsidies that are allowing unsustainable businesses to thrive). The author refers to the current problem as the "take, make, waste" economy, which reminds me of my first exposure to these ideas, in the video "The Story of Stuff", decades ago.
The book is focused on economics and business and therefore largely sidesteps the fact that we don't actually need to innovate to become sustainable, we just have to go back to the way things used to be (stop buying heaps of unnecessary stuff and single-use packaging). The author makes a bold statement that it is probably not possible to return to a world without single-use plastic (he cites pharmaceuticals as the reason), but why not? If we can innovate all sorts of business solutions to environmental problems of our own making, why can't we revert to pre-plastic practices (e.g. sterilisation of medical equipment and containers instead of single-use packaging)? The author writes as though Algramo is the only package-free/bulk store out there, but plenty of people in the zero-waste movement are already living without plastic.
In my view, there is no such thing as making an industry "more sustainable" or a business "more sustainable". It is either ecologically sustainable (neutral or positive environmental footprint) or it is not. We have to keep working until sustainability is achieved, otherwise the planet will continue to die. This is where I found the chapters about accounting for the true cost of a business or product very interesting. The author makes a good point about the importance of corporate transparency.
I particularly liked the chapter on housing. There are lots of interesting stories throughout the book and it seems to have been well researched. The author has significant authority on the topic of recycling. I was fascinated to learn that mining gold from old mobile phones is 13 times more efficient than mining new gold from the ground!
Good on you, Ron Gonen, for sharing your vision, collecting inspiring stories and encouraging everyone to work towards making a waste-free world a reality.
The thesis is inspiring and hopeful: that a circular economy is plausible and that investing in circular solutions is good business (as long as we also work to overcome the subsidies that are allowing unsustainable businesses to thrive). The author refers to the current problem as the "take, make, waste" economy, which reminds me of my first exposure to these ideas, in the video "The Story of Stuff", decades ago.
The book is focused on economics and business and therefore largely sidesteps the fact that we don't actually need to innovate to become sustainable, we just have to go back to the way things used to be (stop buying heaps of unnecessary stuff and single-use packaging). The author makes a bold statement that it is probably not possible to return to a world without single-use plastic (he cites pharmaceuticals as the reason), but why not? If we can innovate all sorts of business solutions to environmental problems of our own making, why can't we revert to pre-plastic practices (e.g. sterilisation of medical equipment and containers instead of single-use packaging)? The author writes as though Algramo is the only package-free/bulk store out there, but plenty of people in the zero-waste movement are already living without plastic.
In my view, there is no such thing as making an industry "more sustainable" or a business "more sustainable". It is either ecologically sustainable (neutral or positive environmental footprint) or it is not. We have to keep working until sustainability is achieved, otherwise the planet will continue to die. This is where I found the chapters about accounting for the true cost of a business or product very interesting. The author makes a good point about the importance of corporate transparency.
I particularly liked the chapter on housing. There are lots of interesting stories throughout the book and it seems to have been well researched. The author has significant authority on the topic of recycling. I was fascinated to learn that mining gold from old mobile phones is 13 times more efficient than mining new gold from the ground!
Good on you, Ron Gonen, for sharing your vision, collecting inspiring stories and encouraging everyone to work towards making a waste-free world a reality.
May 23, 2022
Very relevant book. We have a society that takes, makes, uses, disposes, and creates a lot of waste and pollution. Instead, we need to have a society that makes, uses, reuses, remakes, and recycles in order to avoid waste and pollution. It's so frustrating because recently our vertical blinds broke, but not the entire thing, just one little piece, and because the blind is 25 years old, it's impossible to find the little plastic wheel that we need, and now we are forced with living with a broken blind and somehow making do or buying an entire new blind, and it's not a small thing because it the vertical blind on a sliding door. My first thought is omg all this waste if we get a new one to replace it. Aside from the fact that it costs $500, but the cost isn't my first thought. I would gladly pay quite a bit for a tiny piece to fix this blind.
The author outlines how it won't damage the economy to have circular production, and that it's actually superior, not just because it's more sustainable, but also because it's higher performance. He talks about the labeling on food like sell by, best by, use by and we are to assume this is based on science and it would be dangerous to use after that date, but it's actually leading to $29 billion worth of food that is still safe to eat needlessly being thrown away. He also speaks of the sustainable closet and the problems with synthetic materials and horrible working conditions in garment factories. An estimated 73% of clothes produced globally end up in landfills! Only 1 percent of fabric is recycled, but 95 percent could be recycled. In the US, it's 12.7 million tons trashed, which is 70 pounds fabric per American per year!
Less is more. Buy less, make do without. That's the message I take away from this.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The author outlines how it won't damage the economy to have circular production, and that it's actually superior, not just because it's more sustainable, but also because it's higher performance. He talks about the labeling on food like sell by, best by, use by and we are to assume this is based on science and it would be dangerous to use after that date, but it's actually leading to $29 billion worth of food that is still safe to eat needlessly being thrown away. He also speaks of the sustainable closet and the problems with synthetic materials and horrible working conditions in garment factories. An estimated 73% of clothes produced globally end up in landfills! Only 1 percent of fabric is recycled, but 95 percent could be recycled. In the US, it's 12.7 million tons trashed, which is 70 pounds fabric per American per year!
Less is more. Buy less, make do without. That's the message I take away from this.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 13, 2022
This is simply a fun read. It has been criticized for lacking a coherent strategy for building a circular economy, but I don't believe that is the book's purpose. It is filled with anecdotes about really cool new kooky solutions to the problem of WASTE.
However the book is worth the purchase and read if only because the first chapter is so enlightening. It details how our 'throw away' society was a result of a brilliant advertising effort on the part of a husband and wife team. America before the 1920s was thrifty. But these hucksters mounted a campaign against thrift and the American public bought it hook, line and sinker.
Just get it. A fast read an well worth the time.
However the book is worth the purchase and read if only because the first chapter is so enlightening. It details how our 'throw away' society was a result of a brilliant advertising effort on the part of a husband and wife team. America before the 1920s was thrifty. But these hucksters mounted a campaign against thrift and the American public bought it hook, line and sinker.
Just get it. A fast read an well worth the time.
October 10, 2021
This book was a great introduction for me on circular economies. At times, the facts shared can be quite overwhelming and made me feel a bit hopeless. I appreciated the historical context given as I have always lived in a plastic, disposable world. The author does share examples of companies who have embraced the reduce, reuse, recycle method and inspired me to be more conscious of my own behaviors and the businesses I support.
July 7, 2023
I love this book. It was so informative and gave so many amazing examples of how a circular business model and economy are beneficial to all parties involved. I annotated the entire book for charities and businesses I need to support now, in addition to highlighting the names of CEOs and inventors I find admirable. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about a sustainable economy, circular growth, zero waste, and recycling!
May 5, 2022
Excellent book on the origins and implications of the linear economy, as well as on how to transform towards circularity. Especially liked the chapters on recycling, e-waste, and how advertising is responsible for our current culture of waste.
Knocking of a star because I would have liked to see more on how government policies and non-profit organizations can accelerate the transition.
Knocking of a star because I would have liked to see more on how government policies and non-profit organizations can accelerate the transition.
October 4, 2022
I wish every CEO would take this book to heart. The facts written in this book are heartbreaking and the world should lean on a fact-based mission instead of misinformation. This will be a book my children will read to understand what is beyond eye-catching headlines. Consumers can make a difference but the real changes will be made with those who guide the puppet strings.
September 20, 2021
I really liked learning more about the idea of a circular economy but I am getting to be a little over material that puts the pressure on consumers and not the corporations and politicians who are actually responsible
January 15, 2022
Lots of good insights about how our consumption habits were engineered and manipulated by business and media, as well as a lot of historical background about waste generation. "Throwaway Living", "Planning Obsolescence", "Astroturfing", etc.
February 4, 2022
Eye-opening statistics about how human actions & corporations are damaging the planet. But gives hope that more businesses/cities are adopting circular practices to reduce waste. Gives great examples of companies that are striving to do better. Now let's bring it the shelves of all stores!
May 11, 2021
This is the future! The future is circular!
July 8, 2022
A good primer on the circular economy in the 2020s. Akin to a sequel for Cradle to Cradle.
January 9, 2025
A good book about the circular economy, very focused on businesses making the transition. Would recommend to ease one's eco anxiety.
February 16, 2025
One of my favorite sustainable systems reads to date! CLP is a leader in the circular space and it’s great to read a book from the founder himself.
August 24, 2025
Insightful book filled with informative facts about the progress of the circular economy. It needs a good final edit, though (several notable grammatical and spelling errors).
May 12, 2022
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IS A ZERO-WASTE WORLD POSSIBLE?
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“The American Sustainable Business Council recently issued a hard-hitting missive titled ‘There Is No Going Back,’ acknowledging that ‘many across the country view our current capitalist system as rigged and not working for them.’ Rightfully so, and that’s true in far too many economies around the globe.
It’s time to dismantle the rigging. It’s time to transition to a circular economy.
The viability of life on the planet depends on it.”
The above quotation (in italics) comes from this extremely interesting book by Ron Gonen. He is the founder and CEO of “Closed Loop Partners,” an investment firm and innovation center focused on building the circular economy. Prior to his investment firm, Gonen served as the deputy commissioner for sanitation, recycling, and sustainability in New York City. He has served as an adjunct professor at the Columbia Business School, where he also earned a MBA. Gonen has won numerous awards and honors for his efforts including “Champion of the Earth” from the U.N. Environment Program.
What is the circular economy? This is best defined by contrasting the circular economy with the linear economy which has been used for the past 75 years.
Linear economy (Open-Loop System):
(1) Take (from environment)>>(2) Make>>(3) Use>>(4) Dispose>>(5) Waste>>(6) Pollute
Circular economy (Closed-Loop System):
(1) Recycle, Repair, etc.>>>>>>(2) Make>>(3) Use>>(4) Reuse>>(5) Remake>>(6) Back to (1)>>
Thus, the circular economy is one in which our consumption of environmental resources is circular rather than linear: we REUSE our environmental resources and put them BACK into the economy rather than discarding them.
In the first part of this book, we are told the story of the decades-long campaign to convince people that throwing things away is a necessary convenience (even a patriotic duty), conducted by a cohort of persuasion experts. Then the author tells us of the disinformation campaigns and tactics that kept the public in the dark about the environmental devastation of the take-make- waste system. I found this part to be quite eye-opening.
In the second part of this book, we are taken on a journey to meet many of the most inventive and influential innovators of the circular economy.
Finally, the only problem I had with this book is that it has no index. There’s a wealth of information and facts presented, but no easy access to either.
In conclusion, this book effectively shows how the circular economy will take less from the environment, enable humans to make more things, and save the planet from becoming uninhabitable!!
XXXXX
(2021; introduction; 2 parts or 10 chapters; conclusion; main narrative 215 pages; acknowledgements; notes)
XXXXX
IS A ZERO-WASTE WORLD POSSIBLE?
XXXXX
“The American Sustainable Business Council recently issued a hard-hitting missive titled ‘There Is No Going Back,’ acknowledging that ‘many across the country view our current capitalist system as rigged and not working for them.’ Rightfully so, and that’s true in far too many economies around the globe.
It’s time to dismantle the rigging. It’s time to transition to a circular economy.
The viability of life on the planet depends on it.”
The above quotation (in italics) comes from this extremely interesting book by Ron Gonen. He is the founder and CEO of “Closed Loop Partners,” an investment firm and innovation center focused on building the circular economy. Prior to his investment firm, Gonen served as the deputy commissioner for sanitation, recycling, and sustainability in New York City. He has served as an adjunct professor at the Columbia Business School, where he also earned a MBA. Gonen has won numerous awards and honors for his efforts including “Champion of the Earth” from the U.N. Environment Program.
What is the circular economy? This is best defined by contrasting the circular economy with the linear economy which has been used for the past 75 years.
Linear economy (Open-Loop System):
(1) Take (from environment)>>(2) Make>>(3) Use>>(4) Dispose>>(5) Waste>>(6) Pollute
Circular economy (Closed-Loop System):
(1) Recycle, Repair, etc.>>>>>>(2) Make>>(3) Use>>(4) Reuse>>(5) Remake>>(6) Back to (1)>>
Thus, the circular economy is one in which our consumption of environmental resources is circular rather than linear: we REUSE our environmental resources and put them BACK into the economy rather than discarding them.
In the first part of this book, we are told the story of the decades-long campaign to convince people that throwing things away is a necessary convenience (even a patriotic duty), conducted by a cohort of persuasion experts. Then the author tells us of the disinformation campaigns and tactics that kept the public in the dark about the environmental devastation of the take-make- waste system. I found this part to be quite eye-opening.
In the second part of this book, we are taken on a journey to meet many of the most inventive and influential innovators of the circular economy.
Finally, the only problem I had with this book is that it has no index. There’s a wealth of information and facts presented, but no easy access to either.
In conclusion, this book effectively shows how the circular economy will take less from the environment, enable humans to make more things, and save the planet from becoming uninhabitable!!
XXXXX
(2021; introduction; 2 parts or 10 chapters; conclusion; main narrative 215 pages; acknowledgements; notes)
XXXXX
January 18, 2022
An inspiring group of case studies that gives hope to climate crisis. I wouldn’t say it is actionable or gives much helpful insight into scalable solutions, but interesting group of examples of sustainable companies to bring hope to what is possible if we all do our part. Good intro to circular economy if unfamiliar with concept, but probably better books out there for this
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews