<aside> <img src="/icons/flag-checkered_gray.svg" alt="/icons/flag-checkered_gray.svg" width="40px" /> The Circular Economy is an economic model and systems solution framework designed to minimize waste and make the most of resources, leading to a sustainable and prosperous system within the planet's boundaries. In this system, products and materials are used, reused, and recycled in a closed-loop process, reducing waste and environmental impact. The primary goal is to maintain the value of products, materials, and resources for as long as possible.
In contrast to the linear "take-make-use-waste" process of the current economy, the Circular Economy ensures that materials never become waste and focuses on regenerating nature. It keeps products and materials in circulation through various loops, such as maintenance (&repair), reuse, refurbishment, remanufacturing, recycling, or composting. This model decouples economic activity from the consumption of finite resources. Transitioning to renewable energy and materials underpins the circular economy, making it a resilient system that benefits business, people, and the environment.
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Table of Content
Applying the Circular Economy Principles
The Circular Economy Principles (also referred to as CE Principles), as originally defined by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF), provide a simplified framework for understanding the key strategies to transition from linear, wasteful models of production and consumption to circular, regenerative ones.
The CE Principles focus on three core concepts:
°Circular Economy (CE) Principles
The material cycle within the circular economy refers to the process of continuously cycling materials through various stages to maximize their usage and minimize waste. After use, instead of disposing of materials as waste, they are collected with the intention of extending their lifespan. Keeping materials in use for as long as possible reduces the need for new raw materials and minimizes environmental impact by lowering waste and resource consumption.