The circular economy Contents Linear and Circular

Transcript:The circular economy Contents Linear and Circular:
The circular economy Contents Linear and Circular Economy Principles and aims of the circular economic model Transition towards a circular economy Conclusions The linear economy In our current economy, we take materials from the Earth, make products from them, and eventually throw them away as waste – the process is linear. This design however has contributed towards climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. There is a pressing need to rethink our economic model and construct a viable circular and sustainable way of production and economic growth. We need to rethink how we manage resources, how we make and use products, and what we do with the materials afterwards. Defining the circular economy A circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products for as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended. Aims and principles of the circular economy CE aims to tackle global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution by emphasizing the design-based implementation of the three base principles of the model. The three principles required for the transformation to a circular economy are: designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. Pollution and waste A major impact of the linear economy is the massive generation of waste. The model is designed to produce and consume as much as possible, leading to a constant flow of waste and pollution. This waste ends up in landfills, oceans, and other natural habitats, where it poses a significant threat to wildlife and ecosystems. Landfills are overflowing with waste that may take hundreds of years to decompose, polluting the soil, water, and air. Some predict that there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050. A redesign of our economic model towards reusing, recycling and sharing goods is crucial in reversing the alarming trends. For example, fast fashion, with clothing being produced quickly and cheaply renders clothes short-term and disposable, thus depleting natural resources and generating massive amounts of textile waste. In contrast, a circular fashion model would focus on the use of sustainable materials, clothing rental, and the repair and recycling of clothing. Climate change Climate change is the result of extensive energy production and high carbon emissions. A reduction in total annual greenhouse gas emissions is thus necessary.