A Circular Economy - What is it?

You’ll often hear the word Circular Economy thrown around a lot in the environmental sector or by me if you follow my Instagram haha! So what is it? And why is it so valuable in planning for a sustainable future?

🙋🏽‍♀️ What is it?

The circular economy is a concept and economic model that aims to eliminate waste and maximize the use of resources by keeping products, components, and materials in circulation for as long as possible. It is very different to the traditional linear economy, where resources are extracted, used to make products, and then disposed of as waste. We are currently operating on a linear economy which is completely unsustainable because our planet has what’s known as finite resources. Finite means we don’t have a never-ending supply!

🌏 How can we change?

I am so glad you asked! Well, there is a full array of ways we can change so lets review them by looking at the aspects of a circular economy:

✍🏼 Design for Durability and Reusability: In a circular economy, products are designed to be durable, repairable, and reusable. This means incorporating materials and manufacturing processes that extend the lifespan of products and facilitate easy repair and refurbishment.

🪡 Reuse and Repair: Instead of disposing of products when they reach the end of their useful life, the focus is on extending their lifespan through reuse, repair, and refurbishment. This includes initiatives such as product refurbishment programs, repair cafes, and the availability of spare parts to prolong the life of products.

♻️Recycling and Material Recovery: When products cannot be reused or repaired, they should be recycled to recover valuable materials and minimize waste. Recycling plays a crucial role in the circular economy by diverting materials from landfills and reducing the need for virgin resources.

🥰Resource Efficiency and Optimization: The circular economy emphasises the efficient use of resources throughout the entire product lifecycle, from sourcing raw materials to manufacturing, distribution, use, and disposal. This involves strategies such as resource-efficient production processes, energy efficiency measures, and waste reduction initiatives.

🙏🏽 Product-as-a-Service Models: Rather than selling products outright, some businesses are exploring alternative business models based on providing products or services as a subscription or leasing arrangement. This encourages manufacturers to design products for longevity and facilitates the recovery and reuse of materials at the end of the service life.

🤝 Sharing Economy and Collaborative Consumption: The sharing economy promotes the sharing, renting, or pooling of resources, such as vehicles, accommodation, and tools, to maximize their utilization and reduce the need for individual ownership. This can help optimise resource use and minimize waste in the circular economy.

📲 Digital Technologies and Data-driven Solutions: Digital technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and data analytics, play a crucial role in enabling transparency, traceability, and optimization in the circular economy. These technologies can help track and manage resources throughout their lifecycle, optimize supply chains, and facilitate the exchange of goods and services more efficiently and sustainably.

The circular economy offers a holistic approach to resource management and economic development, aiming to decouple economic growth from resource consumption and environmental degradation. We must start moving from a linear model if we want to limit global warming to dangerous levels. By adopting circular principles, businesses, governments, and individuals can contribute to a more sustainable and resilient economy for the future.

Sustainable Living Tips

This week, we’re focusing on sustainable habits at home!

🥕Buy ugly foods! The imperfect foods section at Woolies is a great place to start or shop at your local farmers market.

🌊 Make your home ocean-friendly by choosing refillable cleaning and personal products like those from Zero Co. This type of service is part of a circular economy model.

💧 Start water recycling. Anytime you go to throw that pasta water or Dreggs of your water bottle stop! Feed them to your houseplants or pour onto your garden so we can repurpose our freshwater.

Zero Co.

Since we are talking about a circular economy it felt only fitting to mention one of my fave companies for household supplies. Zero Co creates great eco-friendly, fish-safe cleaning and personal supplies. When you purchase their products you buy a forever container and then order their refillable pouches which are made from 100% recycled ocean plastic. Their company is amazing and makes it really easy to do the right thing by the planet.

💨 The US EPA brought in a new rule to cut pollution!

🐣 An endangered seabird population (Peruvian Diving Petrels) has been revived in Chile for the first time in 40 years

🤩 Plastic-eating bacteria are turning trash into silk which could be used in garment making.