Overview
The circular economy looks to divert from the traditional linear methods of our product life cycle. Instead of the relatively disposable philosophy that we hold for most of our belongings, the circular economy looks at really maximizing those products and redeeming every atom of value from them, and then perhaps passing that on to turn into something else, or finding it a home where the new owner still finds value in that item – instead of simply, disposing of it.
Videos
Here is a 4 minute overview of the idea of the circular economy
http://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/videos#zCRKvDyyHmI
Here is an 11 minute more personal account of circular economy ideas
You can see examples of companies who have adopted such approaches e.g. http://www.interface.com/EU/en-GB/about/mission
Articles
https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/circular-economy/interactive-diagram
http://www.wrap.org.uk/about-us/about/wrap-and-circular-economy
Story Ideas
You can make this idea the focus of the story, for example the story can be about an entrepreneur who decides to try to create a completely carbon-neutral business. or about an existing CEO who sees the light and turns his/her business around. There are some real-life tales of such epiphanies e.g a great book by Ray Anderson CEO of the carpet firm Interface chronicles his turning point moment see https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mid-Course-Correction-Sustainable-Enterprise-Interface/dp/0964595354
Also take a look at a great 4 minute video where he talks about that moment
A less radical example is Lee Scott CEO of Walmart was reputedly moved by love of his grand-daughter to adopt more sustainable business practices see http://greenedgellc.com/posts/force-of-nature-the-unlikely-story-of-wal-mart%E2%80%99s-green-revolution.