The “circular economy” is coming to Pennsylvania. And if recent polling data are correct, it cannot come a moment too soon—and Pennsylvania attorneys and advisers would be well-advised to become acquainted with the coalescing legal and market forces that are driving the transition.

A 2019 Franklin & Marshall poll found that 68% of Pennsylvanians believe the commonwealth needs to do more to fight climate change. But the General Assembly has been slow to pass laws that will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Paralleling the federal government, the commonwealth’s relative inaction has left market forces to step into the gap to begin to compel businesses to embrace the circular economy.