Circular Economy

A Circular Economy (often referred to as CE) is an alternative to a traditional linear economy (make, use, dispose) in which resources are kept in use for as long as possible, extracting the maximum value from them whilst in use, then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of each service life.

In a Circular Economy, the value of products and materials is maintained for as long as possible. Within the circularity discussions both 'Closed' and 'Open' loops are referred to:

• Closed Loop Recycling (where the recycled material is used to make another product in the same category i.e. plastic water bottles being used to make new plastic bottles)
• Open Loop Recycling (where recycled material is used in a different application in a different product i.e. plastic water bottles being used to make fleeces and sleeping bags)

As well as creating new opportunities for growth, a more circular economy is intended to:

• reduce waste;
• drive greater resource productivity;
• deliver a more competitive economy;
• better address emerging resource security/scarcity issues in the future;
• help reduce the environmental impacts of production and consumption .

In the UK Governments Resources and Waste Strategy, published Dec 18, the underlying theme is to encourage and incentivise the shift to a circular economy.

The Circular Economy Package issued by the EU in June 2018 details the range of measures and targets to be adopted to transform society to a more circular economy.

Circular Economy diagram

Circular Economy Diagram, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, all rights reserved