How we work

AMBIO-N (CircularSource℠) is a London-based circular sourcing gateway incubated at Oxford University. We are passionate about the circular economy. As a B2B smart marketplace for materials, we exist to support the transition to circular supply chains across the apparel and packaging industries one country at a time.

WHAT IS THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY? The opportunity to reuse

Circular economy is the next model of economic development.

Our current economic model is linear, a take-make-waste model from the extraction of resources to consumption and disposal of products. What if we could design out waste and pollution when we design products? What if we could keep products and materials in use so we reach zero-waste? What if we could not only protect the environment but actually regenerate it?

If these questions make sense to you, then you already understand the three core principles of the circular economy. At AMBIO-N, we see reuse as an opportunity to keep materials in circulation.

WHAT DOES CIRCULAR SOURCING MEAN? Circularity Index for materials

As industries transition from a linear to a circular way of thinking about our impact on the planet, businesses need to find the materials to build and deliver durable products that can be recirculated. Sourcing for circularity refers to understanding the degree to which each material can be recirculated into nature or into production. 

 Procurement professionals or fashion designers themselves can source different type of materials as they:

1. Reuse diverted fabrics, ensure their circularity and reduce your environmental footprint

Reusable fabrics (e.g. textile by-products or lost materials that can be reused in their original form or with little improvements)

2. Try bold, emerging materials designed as circular

Biomaterials (e.g. mango leather, emerging materials ‘grown’ from biological organisms such as algae, mycelium, bacteria or yeast) 

3. Discover recycled (natural) materials

Recycled fibres (from natural sources - such as recycled organic hemp) 

4. Switch to natural sustainable textiles to reduce the environmental footprint 

Sustainably certified but traditional virgin fibres (e.g. organic cotton fibre)  

5. Combine their circular purchase with a home compostable packaging product

Alternative-to-plastic packaging products (e.g. home compostable packaging pouches, or plastic alternatives from fish waste)

What are the benefits of circular sourcing? Transition is a journey

•       cost savings on materials – in the short-term, as reusable materials come at a lower cost compared to new materials
•       overall a lower cost of production – as businesses create operational efficiencies 
•       opportunity for innovation – as entrepreneurs can get creative to reduce their waste and costs
•       opportunity for increased profitability – as a result of innovation
•       more jobs for local communities – as the zero-waste target creates many new roles

Circular sourcing is great for businesses, for society, and the environment. We know the transition is a journey. At AMBIO-N we take our suppliers and customers on this journey. An important piece of our work is our thought leadership and educational materials - such as case studies and white papers - to help create more circular end-products and the transition to zero-waste business activities. 

Join us!

Inspired by: The circular economy in detail, Ellen Macarthur Foundation https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/explore/the-circular-economy-in-detail (last opened 03 July 2020)