Circular Economy

Text adapted and shortened from the European Parliament (2023):

Circular economy is a model of production and consumption based on three key aspects:

• design out waste and pollution
• keep in use products and materials
• regenerate natural systems

This involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended. When a product reaches the end of its life, its materials are reused within the economy wherever possible and waste is reduced to a minimum by recycling. This is a departure from the traditional, linear economic model, which is based on a take-make-consume-dispose pattern of extracting natural raw materials. The latter model relies on large quantities of cheap, easily accessible materials and energy and the maximising of profits.

The following graphic illustrates the differences between the traditional economic model, the interim model of reusing materials and the approach of circular economy:

 Fig. : From Linear to Circular Economy

Source: Dimitry/Adobe Stock