Circular public procurement: A framework for cities

This framework launched by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation will help city governments to apply circular economy principles and criteria when purchasing products and services such as buildings, furniture, food, and packaging.

Circular public procurement is a powerful tool that city governments can use to shape the transition towards a circular economy.

Public procurement accounts for 15-20% of global GDP, and sub-national governments are responsible for almost 50% of procurement decisions.

City governments therefore have an important role in shaping local circular economies by applying circular economy principles and criteria to purchase products and services such as buildings, furniture, food, and packaging.

This guide helps practitioners in city governments adopt a more circular approach to public procurement. Public procurement processes differ from one city to another, so this guide is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, it provides an overarching framework that should be adapted to the local context and the realities of each city. Each step includes questions to consider, examples of how other city governments have implemented circular procurement, and resources.

The framework has been developed with the input of many cities and experts and aims to be globally relevant.