ABSTRACT A more circular economy is framed as a way to counter the current ‘take‐make‐waste’ linear economy and its associated adverse effects, including pollution, waste, over‐consumption, biodiversity loss, and climate breakdown. Most circular economy literature focuses on technical transitions, material substitutions, and efficiencies. Consequently, there is less research on the significant social transitions needed and existing practices of circularity that communities already employ. We address this gap, using desk‐based reviews to identify existing communities of circular practice in Aotearoa New Zealand. We use transitions literature relating to scale to analyse these existing practices and suggest how they can be better supported.
Stupples et al. (2026) studied this question.