Circular Economy

Bringing together policymakers, manufacturers, and consumers and assessing all sectors and interconnectivities to develop a life cycle approach to the circular economy and moving to a zero waste future (materials and energy)

Bringing together policymakers, manufacturers, and consumers and assessing all sectors and interconnectivities to develop a life cycle approach to the circular economy and moving to a zero waste future (materials and energy)

Over 90% of the global economy continues to function with the unsustainable, linear “take-make-toss” process in relation to materials. Manufacturers rely on raw natural resources for processing and production, and the materials produced largely lack viability or end of use/life strategy. The circular economy looks to reduce waste in the life cycle of production and increase efficiency and effectiveness of recycling at the end of life for products.

Colorado School of Mines, the Payne Institute for Public Policy and our partners are working to address this issue and generate important research on the circular economy. Colorado School of Mines has expertise at every point of production. From the initial identification and extraction of natural resources, to processing, manufacturing, distribution, and product end-of-life reclamation. Through collaboration on campus with our geophysics, mining engineering, advanced manufacturing, mechanical engineering and chemistry departments and others. As well as off campus collaboration with NREL and various industry partners, the Payne Institute is connecting its breath of technical expertise with the world of public policy to bring the issue of the circular economy to the forefront.

NEWS

America’s Data Center Boom Must Not Depend on Chinese Batteries 3/6/2026

America’s Data Center Boom Must Not Depend on Chinese Batteries

Jesse R. Edmondson and Payne Institute Director Morgan Bazilian write about how the United States must build its own domestic battery supply chain to support the AI data center boom and reduce reliance on Chinese energy storage technologies.  March 6, 2026.

War in the Middle East pushes diesel prices up — other costs will likely follow 3/6/2026

War in the Middle East pushes diesel prices up — other costs will likely follow

Payne Institute Director Morgan Bazilian contributed to this podcast discussing one very specific economic impact of war in the Middle East: Diesel fuel just topped $4 a gallon, and it’s likely to get even more expensive.  Even if you don’t drive a diesel truck, this price spike is going to hit you, too.  March 6, 2026.

America’s Tech Ambitions Outrunning Industrial Realities 2/25/2026

America’s Tech Ambitions Outrunning Industrial Realities

Macdonald Amoah, Payne Institute Director Morgan Bazilian, and Fellow Jahara Matisek write about how American reindustrialization is constrained by structural weaknesses in three physical pillars: energy capacity, industrial supply chains, and technical workforce depth.  February 25, 2025.

Variety is Not Enough. Why Can Diversification No Longer Guarantee Energy Security? 2/20/2026

Variety is Not Enough. Why Can Diversification No Longer Guarantee Energy Security?

Payne Institute Fellow Andrei Covatariu and Director Morgan Bazilian write about how energy has, once again, been discussed less as a commodity and more as a component of industrial and geopolitical power. In this environment, the meaning of energy security extends beyond fuel diversification to encompass broader questions of economic resilience and systemic stability.  February 20, 2026.

Geotechnical, economic, social, and environmental dimensions of direct lithium extraction (DLE) from Smackover brines in Arkansas 2/20/2026

Geotechnical, economic, social, and environmental dimensions of direct lithium extraction (DLE) from Smackover brines in Arkansas

Aaron Malone, Alannah Brett, Elisheba Spiller, Payne Institute Faculty Fellow Linda Battalora and Elizabeth Holley, Frances Fitzgerald, Caroline Ruppert, Andres Reyes and Julia Jann write about how the global scramble for critical minerals and the US push to increase domestic production have generated interest around the potential for direct lithium extraction from oilfield brines (OB-DLE) in Arkansas.  February 20, 2026.

Mines appoints inaugural Fryrear Presidential Chair to lead energy innovation 2/12/2026

Mines appoints inaugural Fryrear Presidential Chair to lead energy innovation

Payne Institute Faculty Fellow Jenifer Shafer has been named the inaugural Ben L. Fryrear Presidential Chair at Colorado School of Mines.  Shafer will focus heavily on the intersection of energy and commercialization, working with Mines faculty and students to support efforts to move new energy technologies to the market.   February 12, 2026.

Strategic Intervention to Rebuild Semiconductor Minerals Capacity in the West 2/12/2026

Strategic Intervention to Rebuild Semiconductor Minerals Capacity in the West

Payne Institute Student Researcher Shane Sethi, Jonah Allen, and Payne Institute Faculty Fellow Ian Lange write about how semiconductors are the foundational components of modern technology; integrated circuits (ICs), which are complex layers of interconnected semiconductors, now dominate global semiconductor trade and underpin most high-value electronics.  Recent efforts to address supply chain vulnerabilities and rebuild domestic manufacturing depend on a stable and secure supply of critical components.  February 12, 2026.

Read All News

For more information about the Circular Economy Research Area at the Payne Institute for Public Policy, please contact our Deputy Director, Gregory Clough, at gclough@mines.edu.