Reimagining Supply Chains: Deborah Dull on the Future of Circularity

Dec 20

20 Dec 2024

This article is part of a series where we speak with experts and corporate entrepreneurs about the circular economy to share insights from multiple perspectives. Opinions expressed are not necessarily our own, but we aim to foster debate and collaboration by showcasing the work of those leading exciting projects in this space.

This interview features Deborah Dull, a prominent thought leader in the circular economy and founder of the Circular Supply Chain Network. Deborah brings extensive experience in supply chain innovation, sustainability, and transformative practices.

Every year, roughly $2.6 trillion worth of material in fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs) is wasted—about 80% of its value is never recovered. Current efforts to green supply chains, such as using renewable energy or reducing emissions, while valuable, do not address the underlying issue of linearity. A McKinsey study projects that shifting to circular business models could unlock more than $1 trillion in value in Europe alone by 2050. European consumer goods companies could also tap into a €500 billion value pool by 2030 through circular practices.

So, how do we transform supply chains into a truly sustainable force?

Supply chain professionals are responsible for sourcing, moving, and transforming the 100 billion tonnes of materials that enter the global economy each year, they are essential to driving the circular transition. Deborah Dull is a prominent thought leader in the circular economy. She has been involved in several notable projects, and we're excited to share her insights and highlight her perspective on the circular economy.

Deborah’s extensive experience—spanning roles at Microsoft, General Electric, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation—has provided her with deep insights into how supply chains can be reimagined. Through her work as the founder of the Circular Supply Chain Network, she advocates for a shift from the traditional “take, make, dispose” model.

To visit Deborah’s LinkedIn profile click here. To visit her website click here.

Deborah’s perspective during our interview session can be summarized into three main insights:

Insight 1: Beyond Greening Supply Chains: Why Circularity is the Future of Sustainable Operations

“We shouldn't be making a 40,000-mile-long supply chain more sustainable; we should be eliminating that supply chain altogether.”

Circularity isn’t about incremental improvements; it’s a fundamental shift in how supply chains operate. Deborah highlights how greening linear supply chains fails to address their core issue: reliance on extractive and wasteful processes.

“All of our supply chain frameworks, certifications, and practices are built on linear thinking—taking raw materials, making products, and then disposing of them. We’re trained to think that making this model more sustainable is the solution, but it’s not.” Instead of optimizing for greener transportation or cleaner energy, circularity asks a more critical question: can we eliminate the need for these supply chains altogether?

“Circularity eliminates long supply chains by focusing on local production, reuse, and repair,” - This shift reduces environmental impact while enhancing resilience and efficiency. - “If my phone breaks, the linear model says I should throw it away and buy a new one. Circularity says repair it and keep it in use.” This approach not only minimizes waste but also shortens supply chains significantly.

Another critical challenge is the mindset shift required among professionals entrenched in linear practices. “Supply chain professionals have been trained in the linear model for decades. Circularity requires us to rethink everything from inventory management to sourcing strategies.” This paradigm shift demands reimagining processes and adopting new frameworks, a challenge but also an opportunity.

The benefits extend beyond sustainability. Circularity builds resilience, reduces dependency on volatile supply chains, and meets growing consumer demand for sustainable products. Deborah’s perspective reinforces the idea that circularity is not just an environmental necessity but a strategic imperative for the future of supply chains.

As we consider the potential of these approaches, the role of technology becomes paramount. How can different tools like augmented reality, urban mining, and localized manufacturing further enable circular practices?

Insight 2: Enabling Circular Supply Chains: The Role of Technology and Repair

“Imagine repair shops as ubiquitous as coffee shops, where augmented reality helps identify broken parts and manufacture replacements locally.”

Technology is a cornerstone of circular supply chains, enabling processes that would otherwise be impossible at scale. Deborah highlights how innovations such as augmented reality (AR), urban mining, and region-specific manufacturing can transform the way supply chains operate.

“Today, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems are designed for linear flows. Bringing an item back into the system is often manual and inefficient.” Companies often resort to workarounds, such as creating fake suppliers or stores to handle returns. “We need systems built for circular flows,” she emphasizes, highlighting the need for foundational changes in supply chain technology.

Repair and reuse are central to this transformation. Deborah envisions a future where repair shops are as common as coffee shops, leveraging AR to scan broken items, identify parts, and manufacture replacements locally. “This approach not only keeps materials in circulation but also reduces dependency on long global supply chains,” she explains.

However, not all technological solutions are equally practical. Deborah questions the utility of material passports and blockchain for tracking every product component. “Do we really need to know how many times a paperclip has changed hands?” she asks. Instead, she advocates for solutions that focus on bringing products back into circulation efficiently, without excessive computational and environmental costs.

Deborah underscores the importance of scalability and practicality in implementing circular practices. “Circularity isn’t about perfection; it’s about making meaningful progress,” she concludes. By leveraging technology thoughtfully, supply chains can embrace circularity in ways that are both effective and sustainable.

While technology offers promising solutions, circularity isn’t just a Western or Northern Hemisphere initiative. It holds immense potential for the Global South, where the challenge lies in retaining value and implementing these practices effectively.

Insight 3: Circular Economies in the Global South: Retaining Value and Building Sustainable Futures

“We have to stop shipping resources around the world and start keeping value in the regions where they originate.”

Deborah emphasizes the importance of keeping resources in developing countries rather than exporting them. She highlights the example of Green Mining in Brazil, a program that formalizes the informal waste-picking industry through digitized systems. “They’ve managed to take folks who sort garbage for valuable items and scale it using barcoded garbage bags and machine vision,” she explains. This approach not only improves efficiency but also ensures that value remains in local communities.

Deborah continues, “Keeping resources local is beneficial, regardless of geography.” She points out that decentralized production models, such as garment manufacturing and modular systems for resource recovery, could enable developing countries to retain more value. “With technologies like Starlink enabling connectivity, we’re approaching a future where modular, off-grid systems can flourish even in resource-constrained environments,” she adds.

One challenge is overcoming the legacy of specialization economies. “We can’t expect to wake up tomorrow and be fantastic at mineral processing, but we can focus on everyday items like garments and small-scale manufacturing,” Deborah notes. She underscores the need for long-term strategies that build local capacity for resource processing and production.

Deborah’s vision of urban mining—where waste management and sourcing teams converge—offers a glimpse into how circular economies can thrive in the Global South. “We’re not just thinking about waste recovery but building entire ecosystems that keep resources circulating locally,” she concludes.

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