The 3 Principles of a Circular Economy
Circular economies offer a new approach to creating a sustainable world. Learn everything you need to know about them in this article.
What is a circular economy?
A circular economy is an economic and environmental concept that aims to reduce waste, promote sustainability, and maximize the efficient use of resources. Circular economies offer a different approach to current linear models of production. Here’s an example, when a company makes a product, there is not much consideration of what happens to the product once the consumer is done with it.
Its “end of life” often falls upon the purchaser. We’ve all experienced hesitation when it comes to figuring out what to do with our old furniture, clothes that no longer fit, or toys that are no longer played with. The most common options for discarding unwanted items are to dispose of them in the trash, recycle them, or make a donation. This is our current economic model of production, consumption, and disposal.
Circular economies reimage this cycle. The most impactful and forward-thinking aspect of circular economies is they begin to reimagine the cycle from the source. Circular economies put the ecological responsibility back onto the manufacturers instead of letting it fall on the consumers.
What are the 3 principles of a circular economy?
Circular economies are built upon several key principles that guide their implementation. While there might be variations in how these principles are defined or categorized, here are three commonly recognized principles of the circular economy:
Products are designed for longevity and durability
This principle of a circular economy focuses on creating products that are designed to last longer, both in terms of their physical durability and their functional relevance. Products are firstly designed with high-quality materials and construction methods that withstand wear and tear. Additionally, products are designed so that they can be easily repaired, upgraded, or refurbished, which extends their lifespan and reduces the need for frequent replacements. Not only does this contribute to less waste over time, but it also ensures that the product will serve the consumer for a longer time.
Reusability and Regeneration
This principle of a circular economy emphasizes keeping products and materials in circulation for as long as possible. What does this mean? It means that the products are not meant to end up in a place such as a landfill. How is this achieved? This principle involves implementing strategies such as reusing products, components, or materials in their original or slightly modified form. Instead of discarding items after their initial use, they are redirected back into the economy to serve another purpose. This reduces the demand for new resources and minimizes waste.
Here’s an example:
A pair of shoes is produced by a manufacturer
A consumer purchases this pair of shoes
The consumers have used these shoes for four years, and the wear and tear on the shoes was minimal due to the original design by the manufacturer. The purchaser was able to replace the soles and laces as needed in order to maximize the amount of time the shoes were wearable.
The consumer decides to dispose of the shoes. Rather than throwing them into the trash or donating the worn shoes, he decides to support the circular economy by returning them to the “make” stage.
Here are two different paths for the consumer to take action:
If the manufacturer designed the product with circularity in mind, the shoes would be able to re-enter the environment without detriment or be repurposed to create new items.
or
The participant can follow the manufacturer’s circular design or repurpose or dispose of the product in their own way.
Here are some examples of brands that have created products that are designed for longevity and durability, reusability, and regeneration.
For Days
For Days offers a Take Back Bag program, which offers their consumers a discounted price to purchase their products as long as they send them a bag full of their old clothing. For Days guarantees that the clothing waste will be disposed of in a sustainable way.
Paka
Paka ethically sources their alpaca fiber for their clothing. They ensure that all of their products are made from strong and biodegradable fibers. Their clothing is outstanding in terms of durability and longevity and will not contribute to waste.
Recycling and Resource Recovery
Recycling is an additional aspect of the circular economy. This principle involves collecting, processing, and reusing materials from products that have reached the end of their life cycle. By extracting valuable materials from discarded items, such as metals, plastics, and fibers, these materials can be transformed into new products, reducing the need for new resources and minimizing the environmental impact.
These three principles work together to create a circular flow of materials and products; in contrast to the traditional linear economy, resources are extracted, used once, and disposed of as waste. The circular economy aims to achieve sustainability by reducing resource depletion, minimizing waste generation, and promoting more efficient resource management throughout the entire lifecycle of products.
How can you help the circular economy?
At Carom, we inform you of the newest sustainable information and the best circular companies to redirect your linear purchases. As a part of our eco-activist team, you will receive information to help you make sustainable choices while allowing us to hold corporations accountable for their effect on the ecosystem.
Our eco-activist membership is a great way to stay up to date with what is happening worldwide while supporting linear systems to be transformed. You are helping the world by staying informed and becoming a part of something larger!