What is the circular economy?
A circular economy is made up of three practical principles driven by design
Eliminate waste and pollution
Circulate products and materials (at their highest value)
Regenerate natural and social systems
The circular economy cannot be realised by one project, one policy, or one narrative. The principles of the circular economy present a mirror of possible solutions reflecting the complexity of the problems to be solved in the world today.
Circular economy can address
13.5%
of global greenhouse gas emissions
Circular economy can unlock the value of
27.599999999999998%
of raw materials that are wasted after a single use
Circular economy is a
$1.3499999999999999
trillion dollar opportunity
Circular economy can reduce the
27%
biodiversity loss associated with extraction & processing of natural resources
What the circular economy is not
Myth 1
It’s all about better waste management
Nope. The circular economy is about designing out waste, rather than just designing with waste.
Myth 2
It’s all about recycling more
The focus of a circular economy is on maintaining materials at their highest possible value for the longest possible time. Strategies might include reuse, repair, refurbishment, and remanufacturing. Recycling is the last resort.
Myth 3
It’s just a fancy word for sustainability
The circular economy does not aim to ‘sustain’ our current situation. It is about designing differently from the outset, rather than mitigating and reducing the impacts of something that has already been created. Not less bad, rather more good.
