How To Embrace A Circular Economy
5 Questions To Get You Started
“Everything is design. Everything!”
Paul Rand
Publishing a linear economy, resources are harvested to make items that are then sold and eventually thrown away. This “take, make, waste” model has been popular in America since the 1950s, largely due to the growing popularity of everyday items made from inexpensive, disposable plastics. Over a 48-year span, from 1960 to 2018, plastic production in the United States increased by nine times from 390,000 U.S. tons to over 3.5 million U.S. tons.
Credit: epa.gov, the American Chemistry Council, the National Association for PET Container Resources, and The Association of Plastic Recyclers.
Despite increased recycling efforts, as of 2018, less than 9% of plastics produced were recycled and over 75% of plastics were deposited into landfills. Since then, plastics recycling in the United States has declined even further due to import bans by China and Turkey and contamination bans set by the Basel Convention Plastic Waste Amendments.
This is a problem. And plastics aren’t the only issue. We could also discuss food, textile, and electronics waste but let’s, instead, talk about ways to shift our thinking as individuals to move away from a “take, make, waste” economy and toward a circular economy.
What is a circular economy?
There are hundreds of definitions of what a circular economy is. To cover the basics, as the name implies, a circular economy focuses on keeping products and materials in circulation.
How does it work?
The circular economy methodology involves all aspects of the design process to minimize waste, from reducing material use and regenerating natural systems, to recapturing waste material and using it to manufacture new products. It’s a complicated process for both new and existing businesses and there is no one road to success. One example would be for a business to switch from making products to sell to making fewer products and keeping them in circulation by designing them to have longer lifespans and/or creating a lease or buyback program. There are many reasons that businesses struggle with switching to a circular model. New businesses often take the traditional “take, make, waste” path to save time and money. Existing businesses also struggle with the idea of changing to a circular model, especially when they are shareholder owned. All aspects of a company must be evaluated from materials to supply chain to customer relations and education. In addition, as technologies advance, so does the need to re-evaluate business practices.
The good news in all of this is that we as individuals have a choice in what we consume. We can change our habits and, by design, push the economy toward circularity. You can start by asking yourself these 5 questions.
Do I really need to buy this?
A big part of the linear economy involves making and selling products or services. As consumers, we have been trained to purchase. The very word, “consumer” is based on the word “consume”, which means to use up or destroy. To move toward a circular economy, you should first ask yourself if you need to purchase items or can you, instead, borrow what you are looking to buy. Organizations like the Buy Nothing Project connect people within communities who are in need of items and who have items to give. They can be found on Facebook and at https://buynothingproject.org/. You can find anything from furniture and clothing to gardening supplies, tools, and household items.
If I do need to buy, do I have to buy new?
For those who are socioeconomically privileged, the thought of buying anything used is often not the default due to upbringing and societal pressures. The power of advertising and marketing leads us to believe that we are always better off buying new and companies like Amazon promise you that you can have it new and also have it “now”. Buying used is a powerful mindset switch that takes time if you are not used to it – the very definition of the word can imply that something is worn out. Companies like thredUP, Gadget Salvation , and OfferUP are great resources for buying used items and also for selling items you no longer need. These examples are all online and we highly encourage you to seek out local businesses that sell used and refurbished items.
If purchasing, what steps has the company taken to incorporate circularity into their design process?
This takes more work than a simple Google search on an item but it is infinitely more rewarding to know that your money will be well-spent. There are several companies that are, by design, using circular economy methodology and turning away from the wasteful linear model of doing business. Computer manufacturer, Framework, recognized the tremendous amount of waste in consumer electronics and designed laptops that are customizable, repairable, and upgradable. Clothing manufacturer, Patagonia, has a program that allows you to turn in your used Patagonia clothing and also buy used items. By supporting companies that have made the environment a priority in their operations, you are sending a message to them and other businesses that embracing a circular economy is what consumers want.
What will happen to the item when it wears down or breaks?
If you have something that breaks, the simple (and linear, wasteful) solution is to throw it away and get a new one. Before you do that, reach out to the manufacturer to see about getting the item repaired. If you have a do-it-yourself personality but are in need of guidance, look to your local community. Here in San Diego, the non-profit organization, Zero Waste San Diego, has fix-it clinics where you can bring in items that are in need of repair and get help from experienced volunteers. iFixit was started in 2003 out of frustration that many consumer devices did not have repair instructions. The company provides instructions and resources to repair many different devices, from computers to cars. They also educate on current laws regarding right to repair and encourage website visitors to call on their representatives to pass laws that remove barriers to individuals and third party businesses that are seeking to repair rather than discard items.
What will happen to the item when I no longer need it?
A growing number of companies have buy back programs that you can utilize to keep products that you no longer need in circulation, rather than a landfill. In 2022, Ikea expanded its buy back and resell program to 37 stores in the United States. If you are an outdoor enthusiast or inspired to be one, REI has a program to trade in and/or buy used clothing and equipment.
The 5 questions above are meant to challenge your thinking regarding our current, linear economy. We can tell you that the process is addictive! It not only feels good to financially support businesses who are mindful of waste, it also sends a message to other businesses that doing the work to move toward a circular economy is good for their bottom line.
References
https://www.lastbeachcleanup.org/_files/ugd/dba7d7_9450ed6b848d4db098de1090df1f9e99.pdf
http://www.basel.int/Implementation/Plasticwaste/Amendments/Overview/tabid/8426/Default.aspx
Categories:
Tags: