Accelerating Economies from Linear to Circular
The traditional linear economy model of production is to take, make and dispose, meaning we expect products to have a certain lifespan, after which we dispose of them and replace them with new products. Waste materials such as packaging are also thrown away in a linear economy.
A circular economy replaces this system with the idea that everything that is produced is designed to minimise or eradicate waste entirely, removing the end-of-life concept and introducing an intentionally restorative and regenerative system.
Through superior design of products, materials, business models and systems for the elimination of waste, the end of toxic chemical use that impairs reuse, recycling and return to the biosphere, and a shift towards renewable sources of energy, a circular economy generates hope for a more sustainable future.
Marcel Kooter works to promote the better use of global resources by shifting towards a circular rather than linear economy, emphasising the concepts of reusing, recycling and re-making rather than having a disposable outlook.
Waste Elimination
At the heart of the circular economy concept is the elimination of unnecessary waste products, be they products with a built-in lifespan and no possibility of recycling, or surrounding waste such as packing materials.
In a circular economy, all products are designed with this in mind and optimised for reuse. In this way, the development of a circular economy goes further even than policies of recycling, as products are designed from the very beginning to feed back into the system.
In a circular economy, new paper would be made from wastepaper, new glass would be made from waste glass, and so on. More sustainable and efficient sourcing of resources and raw materials at the very start of the journey can result in the elimination of waste to prevent further damage to the natural environment and human society.
Finland is leading the way by prioritising investment in the circular economy. You can read more about this in the embedded PDF.
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| Finland Prioritises Circular Economy Investment |
Consumables Vs. Durables
Circularity works differently for the two main categories of products: consumables and durables. Consumable products developed in a circular economy are made of ingredients or raw materials that have been produced responsibly, without the addition of toxic chemicals that prohibit their return to the biosphere after use. Some of these biological ingredients may even have a positive effect upon return to the biosphere, as opposed to simply avoiding a negative impact.
Durable products, however, necessarily contain components that are not natural and therefore cannot be returned to the biosphere. Construction of these products in a circular economy therefore requires a design process that keeps reusability, recyclability and upgradability at the forefront from stage one and beyond.
In the short video attachment, you can learn more about the basics of reducing and reusing from the perspective of the consumer.
Sustainable Energy
The amount and type of energy required to make a product is also a key factor in the creation of a circular economy. The use of sustainable, renewable energy sources not only reduces our dependence on extracting natural resources from the earth, but also increases the resilience of production systems, protecting against factors such as oil shocks.
By creating a circular economy, we work towards increasing the buffer zone for resource scarcity and security while simultaneously decreasing our impact on the global environment. In the infographic attachment you can view some of the key facts about sustainability in business.
By making the economy more circular, countries can expect to see increased productivity and deliver a more competitive economy.