Circular Economy

The circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products for as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended. 

A circular economy aims to redefine growth, focusing on positive society-wide benefits. It entails gradually decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources and designing waste out of the system.

Circular economy models itself on the natural environment in which nothing is wasted. A plant grows from sunlight and is eaten by an herbivore, which is eaten by a carnivore, which eventually dies and decays to feed fungi, which eventually becomes soil where plant growth can begin again.

The global population continues to grow rapidly, increasing demand for raw materials, while supplies are decreasing. In this circular economy, there will be no more waste, as resources will be reused again and again.

A 'circular economy' model, which employs not only waste management, but reuse, recycling and responsible manufacture could support the development of new industries and jobs, reducing emissions and increasing efficient use of natural resources including energy, water, and materials.