Today’s ‘take–make–dispose’ economy operates in a linear way: resources are extracted, turned into products, used, and then discarded – with severe consequences for the climate and environment. Transitioning to a circular economy means replacing this system with one that keeps materials in circulation through reuse, repair, remanufacturing, and recycling. But what needs to happen – both internationally and within countries – to enable a transition to a circular economy at the global level?