Circular housing–circular economy in the real estate field

According to Ellen Macarthur Foundation cities play a key role in the global economy and the implementation of circular economy concepts could lead to important social, environmental and economic benefits. Cities produce 50% of global waste and 60-80% of greenhouse gas emissions: the implementation of circular economy vision could change the consumption of resources reducing waste production. This research investigates the definition of a new circular economy business model to be applied to apartment for lease business, offering an innovative service to tenants. In detail, the business model aims at design and implement a rental service for social housing that includes the rental of furniture and appliances, defining a fully circular model that considers all phases of the assets life cycle and involves all the actors of the whole chain, from production, to use, to end of life management. Specifically, the project aims to investigate the possibility to offer furniture and electric appliances that are fully circular, i.e. reusable, refurbishable, recyclable, to tenants at a fare monthly rate within their rental agreement with the apartment owner.