Advancing a Responsible Circular Economy 

Today’s take-make-waste economy often treats valuable materials as disposable. Products are frequently designed without considering what happens at the end of their useful life, resulting in lost resources, unnecessary waste, and avoidable environmental and public health impacts. 

 

A responsible circular economy takes a different approach. It recognizes the economic value of materials and encourages products to be designed with end of life in mind, ensuring materials can be safely recovered, reused, repaired, or remanufactured into new products. 

 

When materials are managed responsibly, they support stronger domestic supply chains, reduce pressure on natural resources, and create economic opportunity. Recovering and remanufacturing materials can create local jobs, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and build more resilient supply chains while reducing reliance on virgin and imported resources. 

 

SAF works to advance this transition by convening interest holders, supporting education and research, and ensure responsible circular economy policies can be successfully implemented in practice. 

 

Protecting Public Health and Worker Safety 

Circular systems must protect the workers and communities who interact with products and materials every day. 

 

From product design to collection and processing, SAF works to promote systems that reduce hazardous exposures, improve product safety, and ensure materials are recovered and returned to productive use safely and responsibly. 

 

By advancing responsible materials management systems, SAF supports environmental protection, public health, and economic resilience. 

 

Working Alongside the National Stewardship Action Council 

While our affiliate organization, the National Stewardship Action Council (NSAC), has passed more circular economy policies than any other organization in the United States through its advocacy and legislative work, SAF complements this mission by focusing on public education, collaboration, and research to address environmental challenges and promote systemic change. 

 

Together, these organizations accelerate the transition toward responsible materials management systems that reduce waste, keep valuable resources circulating, support job creation, and strengthen both environmental and economic resilience.