Natural resources have been depleting at an increasing rate as we humans, are increasing the demand of raw materials to manufacture daily consumer products, which we usually dispose of at their end-of-life (Circular Economy, n.d.).  However, we know that this practice is unsustainable in the current linear economy.  Hence, circular economy, which promotes zero-waste and resilient by design, is introduced to minimise the impact on the environment caused by the disposal of reusable waste.

 

Accenture Strategy had conducted a study and identified five new business models that organisations or countries can utilise in minimising the amount of waste generated; they are Circular Supply Chain, Resources Recovery, Product Life Extension, Sharing Platforms and Product as a service. As stakeholders such as companies, manufacturers and consumers are more familiar with the linear economy, it would be challenging to introduce and implement the circular economy business model to the market.

 

In the “The Global E-Waste Monitor 2014” report, the amount of e-waste Singapore had disposed off is recorded at 19.6kg per inhabitant or 110 kiloton whereas Vietnam’s e-waste disposal is recorded at 1.3kg per inhabitant or 116 kiloton (Baldé et. al., 2015). Our team explored on the feasibility of implementation and the adaptation of circular economy for electronic products by Singaporeans and Vietnamese in this report; and concludes that the implementation of circular economy is possible for both countries. However, there are challenges that need to be overcome in terms of product quality, price and consumer’s confidence. At the end of the report, we have made recommendations on the circular economy business model that best suits the electronic consumers of Singapore and Vietnam.