The Circular
Economy
A circular economy aims to redefine growth, focusing on positive society-wide benefits. It means decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources and designing waste out of the system.
our current
system =
Take
Make
Waste
Currently, we take resources from the Earth to make products. We use these products, and when we no longer want them, we throw them away. It’s a “take-make-waste” system. We call this a linear economy.
The current system is no longer working for businesses, people or the environment. The devastating effects of our current model of resource extraction are being felt worldwide. We cannot have infinite growth on a finite planet.
We must transform all the elements of the linear economy.
This means changing how we manage resources, how we make and use products, and what we do with the materials afterwards. Doing so will help us create a thriving economy that can benefit everyone within the limits of our planet.
This new system is called the circular economy.
3 Principles of
the Circular Economy:
Design out waste and pollution
Waste and pollution are a result of decisions made at the design stage, where about 80% of environmental impacts are determined. By viewing waste as a design flaw we can ensure that waste and pollution are not created in the first place.
Keep products and materials in use
We can design products and components so they can be reuse, repaired, and remanufactured. When it comes to products like food or packaging, we should be able to get the materials back so they don’t end up in landfill.
Regenerate natural systems
In nature, there is no concept of waste. By returning valuable nutrients to the soil and other ecosystems, we can enhance our natural resources.
[click to enlarge] Image Source: Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Redefine Growth
A circular economy aims to redefine growth, focusing on positive society-wide benefits. It means decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources, and designing waste out of the system. It requires a transition to renewable energy sources. The circular economy model builds economic, natural, and social capital.
[click to enlarge] Image Source: Ellen MacArthur Foundation
What role does
zero waste Play?
The circular economy is our birds eye view of the economic system. Zero Waste is part of how we get to a circular economy. You can think of Zero Waste as the individual action and circular economy as the system wide change.
[click to enlarge] Image Source: Zero Waste International Alliance
Watch &
Learn
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation has a number of awesome videos (like this one) that explore the topic of Circular Systems. Check them out here.