Circular Economy -

Circular strategies are often categorized by "R" words, prioritized by how much value they preserve. The goal is to stay as high up the list as possible before resorting to recycling. Rethink/Refuse Change how you use products or refuse unnecessary items. Medium Reuse/Repair

Transitioning to a means moving away from the traditional "take-make-waste" linear model and toward a system where materials are kept in use, waste is designed out, and nature is regenerated. Core Principles

Extend product life by fixing it or passing it to another user. Recycle circular economy

Companies can adopt "Product-as-a-Service" models (e.g., leasing equipment instead of selling it) or use industrial symbiosis , where one company's waste becomes another's raw material. Practical handbooks like A Circular Economy Handbook can help guide these transitions.

The "last resort" where materials are broken down to create new products. Implementing Circularity Circular strategies are often categorized by "R" words,

Keep materials at their highest value through reuse, repair, remanufacturing, and recycling.

Shift from extracting finite resources to supporting natural processes that allow ecosystems to thrive. The "R" Hierarchy (Levels of Circularity) Medium Reuse/Repair Transitioning to a means moving away

You can "vote circular" by supporting brands with buy-back programs (like IKEA or Patagonia) and choosing high-quality, repairable goods over disposable ones. Recommended Resources Circular economy introduction - Ellen MacArthur Foundation