A short guide for schools, students, and teachers — by TroCymru
In a linear economy, we take raw materials, make products, use them, and throw them away. This "take → make → waste" model fills landfills, wastes resources, and creates pollution.
A circular economy is different. Instead of throwing things away, we keep materials in use for as long as possible — repairing, reusing, and recycling them back into new products. The goal is to design out waste entirely.
Think of it like nature: in a forest, nothing is wasted. Fallen leaves become soil, which feeds new trees. The circular economy applies this same principle to the things we build and buy.
Construction is one of the biggest waste-producing industries. When we demolish a kitchen, replace windows, or retrofit a house, huge amounts of timber, metal, plastic, and other materials end up in skips and landfill — even though much of it could be reused.
TroCymru (from the Welsh word "tro" meaning turn/cycle) is a company based in North Wales that applies circular economy principles to the construction industry.
Real example: A kitchen retrofit in Gwynedd produces around 180 kg of waste. TroCymru can divert up to 85% of that — saving approximately 120 kgCO2e in carbon emissions and keeping materials in the local economy.
Tag: Materials are given a QR code on site.
Capture: Operatives scan the QR code and log the material type, weight, and condition using a mobile device.
Track: The platform tracks where each material goes — reuse, recycling, or disposal.
Report: Carbon savings, diversion rates, and social value are calculated and reported automatically.
Wales has ambitious environmental targets. The Welsh Government’s Well-being of Future Generations Act requires public bodies to think about the long-term impact of their decisions. The circular economy is a key part of meeting these goals.
The circular economy is creating new types of jobs that did not exist a few years ago. These are modern, skilled roles that combine technology, sustainability, and practical skills:
For teachers: The circular economy connects to multiple areas of the Curriculum for Wales — Science & Technology (materials, energy, sustainability), Mathematics & Numeracy (data, measurement, carbon calculations), Humanities (geography, economics, ethics), and Health & Well-being (community, environment).