Session 8 Flashcards
What is the Circular Economy (CE)?
CE aims to eliminate waste and regenerate nature by keeping materials in circulation.
Processes include reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling, and composting.
How does CE differ from other concepts?
CE emphasizes a closed-loop system, keeping resources in use at micro (products), meso (industrial parks), and macro levels (cities, nations).
Contrasts with linear systems or open-loop systems where resources are lost.
What are the differences between closed-loop and open-loop systems?
Closed-loop: Materials are retained and reused within the system.
Open-loop: Materials exit the system, leading to resource loss and waste.
What are the advantages of circular businesses?
Economic: Cost savings and new revenue streams.
Environmental: Reduced waste and resource use.
Reputation: Improved brand image and customer loyalty.
What are examples of circular business models?
Product-as-a-service: Renting instead of selling.
Sharing platforms: Maximizing product usage.
Take-back systems: Collecting used products for refurbishing or recycling.
How does CE compare to sustainability?
Sustainability: Broader focus on environmental, economic, and social aspects.
CE: Specific framework emphasizing material reuse and systemic change.
What are the challenges of implementing CE?
More theoretical than practical in some cases.
Recovery processes may increase energy and water use.
Requires collaboration between producers, consumers, policymakers, and scholars.
What are key practices for implementing CE?
Product Design: Focus on durability, repairability, and recyclability.
Production: Use renewable materials and reduce resource intensity.
Consumption: Encourage sharing, reusing, and responsible behavior.
Waste Management: Prioritize recycling, composting, and energy recovery.
What are the differences between the Linear Economy, Recycling Economy, and Circular Economy?
Linear Economy:
Process: Take → Make → Use → Waste.
Focuses on single-use products, leading to resource depletion and waste.
Recycling Economy:
Process: Take → Make → Use → Recycle → Waste.
Adds recycling to reduce waste, but still allows material loss.
Circular Economy:
Process: Minimal Take → Make → Use → Reuse/Redistribute, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture → Recycle.
Aims for minimal waste by keeping resources in use through multiple loops.
What are key strategies to increase circularity in the Circular Economy?
Smarter use of products:
Refuse, Rethink, Reduce.
Extend product lifespan:
Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, Remanufacture,
Repurpose.
Material recovery:
Recycle, Recover.
What are 8 ways the Circular Economy outperforms Linear Business Models?
Greater customer intimacy.
More attractive products.
Recurrent income sources.
Greater resilience.
Reduced production times.
More extensive use of products and components.
Lower impact on the climate and environment.
Lower costs.
