Shoulders to the wheel: How waste-to-wages enterprises use “reverse servitization” to drive inclusive circular local economic development

“Waste-to-wages enterprises” play vital roles in inclusive circular economy implementation contributing environmental, economic, and social benefits. However, there is little understanding of the innovative service models behind this sector compared to more mainstream commercial enterprises. Our paper explores the ways waste-to-wages enterprises have innovated circular models to generate significant outcomes for their local economies. To do this, we conceptualize a new model of “reverse servitization,” whereby enterprises begin with providing the service of waste management, and then add new forms of work to deliver products and other services. We focus on a comparative case study of two Australian waste-to-wages enterprises. We find that through “reverse servitization,” these enterprises create green jobs, support circular skills development, introduce new product intervention points for innovation, and provide commodities that support local economies.