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A circular economy is a regenerative system in which resource input and waste, emission, and energy leakage are minimized by slowing, closing, and narrowing energy and material loops.
Introduction
Today’s global economy consumes 100 billion tons of materials, of which only 7.2 billion tons come from secondary materials. We are operating beyond planetary boundaries for the safe and just use of physical materials, which is creating harmful health outcomes, economic losses, and untenable levels of greenhouse gas emissions.
Around 45% of global emissions will still need to be addressed beyond the introduction of zero carbon energy, including through circular economy interventions across production and supply chains.
What is Circularity?
Circularity refers to a circular economy – a regenerative system in which resource input and waste, emission, and energy leakage are minimized by slowing, closing, and narrowing energy and material loops. This can be achieved through long-lasting design, maintenance, repair, reuse, remanufacturing, refurbishing and recycling.
Circular economy interventions should focus on all aspects of the product lifecycle, including the design and use of the product, not just a product’s end-of-life.
Circularity requires rethinking traditional linear models of production and consumption and instead adopting a more sustainable, closed-loop system.
Circular economy framework
Using and wasting fewer resources – the essence of ‘circularity’ – is a critical part of climate solutions that can simultaneously improve human well-being and planetary health. To incorporate circular solutions within your company, use the circular economy framework to identify, prioritize, and implement specific concepts that meet your business, environmental, and social goals.
Read the full post at Environmental Defense Fund.
