Imagine a world where nothing is wasted. Everything is optimised to last. By design, your winter jacket is made of recycled plastic water bottles instead of newly manufactured polyester. You won’t actually buy it, you’ll lease it or get it second-hand. If it gets a rip or tear, it will be easier or cheaper to repair than buying a new one. And once the coat cannot be worn anymore, it will become a raw material for something else: a pillow, a chair or your animal’s bed. That’s the ambition of a circular economy. But how close are we to being circular? What can we do now to get there? And how will we ensure our circular solutions are sustainable?

In our audio stories we explore how researchers at Utrecht University tackle social issues and work towards a better world.