A book by Dennis Dahrendorff
Circularity Unleashed
Exposing the gap between circular ambitions and economic reality
After more than a decade inside the circular electronics industry, Circularity Unleashed does something the industry rarely does: it tells the truth about where circularity actually works — and where it quietly fails. Not as an attitude, but as an economic system under real conditions.
What is Circularity Unleashed?
Circularity Unleashed is a book by Dennis Dahrendorff, founder of Global Circular Tech, that exposes the gap between circular ambitions and economic reality in the consumer electronics industry. It treats circularity not as a moral stance or a marketing label, but as an economic and operational system that follows certain laws.
The central argument is simple and uncomfortable: circularity only has a lasting effect when it is economically viable, organisationally feasible, and able to scale. Where it is conceived as activity rather than as value logic, it produces movement without value — processes that prolong uncertainty instead of ending it.
Across 230 pages, Circularity Unleashed walks the entire circular value chain — from e-waste and take-back to diagnostics, repair, remarketing and recycling — and examines the unit economics, risk, compliance and scaling logic that decide whether a circular model survives real market conditions.
Between aspiration and reality
Hardly any strategy paper, conference, or regulation today gets by without invoking circularity. It sounds like a settled consensus. But look at the operational reality of most companies and a very different picture appears.
Take-back systems exist, but only work under narrow conditions. Reuse is piloted, but rarely turned into stable processes. Recycling is presented as the solution, when in most cases it marks the end of a value chain, not its continuation. Between the stated goal and the operational reality lies a gap that is rarely acknowledged — but constantly felt.
I wrote this book because I have spent years on every part of that value chain. It is not academic and it is not moralising. It is an invitation to see circularity clearly — between aspiration and reality.
This is a charity project
Circularity Unleashed is run as a giving project: 100% of the book's royalties are donated, month by month, to a different good cause, and every donation is reported here in full transparency. The aim is simple: turn honest ideas about responsibility into real, measurable good — and report on every step in the open, right here on this page.
Every month the proceeds go to a chosen cause, and the donation is reported openly here. Scroll down to the impact log to see exactly what your copy has helped make possible.
Five ideas the industry needs to hear
“Circularity is not what is moved. It is what is decided — before the market forces it.”
“Recycling does not mark the beginning of circularity, but rather its end.”
“Trust does not scale. Hope does not scale. Discipline does. Decisions do.”
“Volume does not have a stabilizing effect here, but rather an amplifying one.”
“E-waste is not the antithesis of circularity, but rather its mirror image.”
“Circular models are less susceptible to errors than to ambiguity.”
20 chapters across the circular value chain
Circularity Unleashed follows the full lifecycle of a device — from the moment it leaves its first use to the moment its value is finally decided.
Who should read Circularity Unleashed
Refurbishers & ITAD
Operators who live the gap between take-back volume and realised value every day.
OEMs & brands
Teams designing take-back, trade-in and reuse programs that have to survive at scale.
Retailers & trade-in owners
Anyone turning returns and used devices back into orderly value paths.
Sustainability & ESG leads
People who need circularity that is real and reportable, not just narrative.
Founders & investors
Builders of circular-tech models who want to test assumptions before they harden.
Students & researchers
Newcomers who want the real mechanics of the circular electronics economy.
Voices from the industry
This is why I like "Circularity Unleashed" from my friend Dennis Dahrendorff so much: the twist of the connection to real life. I can only strongly recommend everybody linked to the refurbish industry to read this unique and insightful book — it is indeed exposing the gap between circular ambition and economic reality.
I ordered my friend Dennis Dahrendorff's book #CircularityUnleashed and had it delivered directly to the event hotel — and had the chance to get the first signed edition by the author. I had a few minutes' break till the next networking event, so I started to read it right away.
After reading Dennis Dahrendorff's book, I realized this is a concept that truly deserves to be shared and understood. The more we learn from people within the industry itself, the more value we can bring back to the industry as a whole. Circular economy is not only about business and profitability — it's also about creating a positive impact for humanity. Great cause, great book!
What a better way to start the week than reading a book about the refurbishing industry by our partner Dennis Dahrendorff from Global Circular Tech. Congratulations on publishing your first book — I am looking forward to continuing our great partnership.
This book delivers exactly what the industry needs right now. Clear thinking. No fluff. Real insight into how circular economy moves from buzzword to business model. If you're in electronics, ITAD, or trading — this isn't optional reading, it's perspective. All proceeds go to charity — great book, great cause. Already ordered a few copies for the team.
Finally getting around to reading this book whilst away from the office and it's been a great read so far. Stepping away from the usual routine gives you the time to properly slow down, reflect and take in new ideas. Definitely one I'd recommend.
A solid write-up of the state of circularity. One key insight from the book: sustainability should not be understood as the opposite of economics, but rather as the long-term consequence of well-designed value chains.
Enjoying the sunshine in Copenhagen while diving into the book by Dennis Dahrendorff. Clear, thoughtful, and easy to follow — especially great for people coming from outside the industry who want to understand the dynamics.
Nothing beats reading a good book after a long day! What a journey — I can't believe I am finally holding your book in my hand, Dennis Dahrendorff. Well done and keep going!
Just finished Circularity Unleashed by Dennis Dahrendorff — a thoughtful, inspiring, and highly relevant read. It brings real clarity to the idea of circularity and shows how powerful it can be as a driver of innovation, sustainability, and systemic change. Insightful, practical, and forward thinking. Highly recommended. And all proceeds of the book are being donated to charitable causes — a double win.
Where the money goes — in the open
Total donated to date: ~ €350
Ein Herz für Streuner
~ €350 donated
The first royalty cycle generated around €350 in net royalties — and 100% of it went to Ein Herz für Streuner, an organisation that rescues dogs from shelters in Romania.
This first cause was chosen by my wife Laura Dahrendorff — without her support this project would never have happened. One of those rescues, Evy, has been part of our family for about a year now. From here on, every month's proceeds are donated and reported openly, right here.
Dennis Dahrendorff
Frequently asked questions
What is Circularity Unleashed?
Circularity Unleashed is a book by Dennis Dahrendorff that exposes the gap between circular ambitions and economic reality in the consumer electronics industry. It treats circularity as an economic and operational system rather than an attitude.
Who wrote Circularity Unleashed?
Dennis Dahrendorff, founder of Global Circular Tech, with more than ten years across the circular electronics value chain.
What is the book about?
The full circular value chain in consumer electronics: e-waste, take-back, diagnostics, grading and ITAD, repair and refurbishment, remarketing, recycling and urban mining, unit economics, risk and compliance, automation and AI, regulation, ESG, scaling and partnerships.
Where can I buy Circularity Unleashed?
It is available as a paperback on Amazon — get your copy here.
Is it really a charity project?
Yes. 100% of the book’s royalties are donated, month by month, to a different good cause, and every donation is reported transparently in the impact log above.
Read it. Then decide for yourself.
Circularity Unleashed gives you no instructions and no promises — only a framework that separates movement from value, activity from architecture, and good intentions from what actually lasts.
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If you’ve shared Circularity Unleashed on LinkedIn — or want to — tag Dennis Dahrendorff or send a note. Honest voices from the field are added here every month, and every recommendation helps fund the next charity project.