The circular economy and the possibility of degrowth

Question 1

The Circular Economy

Answer 1

(Corvellec et al., 2020)
Definition:
The circular economy (CE) integrates economic activity with environmental wellbeing by replacing the linear “take-make-dispose” model with restorative loops. The circular economy aims to eliminate waste and regenerate resources.

Key Goals:
1. Minimize waste and pollution.
2. Maximize the reuse and recycling of materials.
3. Create regenerative systems mimicking natural cycles.

Principles:
- Design Out Waste: Products should be created with end-of-life recovery in mind.
- Keep Products in Use: Encourage repair, refurbishment, and resale.
- Regenerate Natural Systems: Enhance ecosystem health.

Examples:
- IKEA: Recycling and refurbishing furniture.
- Loop: Reusable packaging and returnable containers.

Question 2

Strategies to create circular value

Answer 2

(Lacy et al)
1. Circular Inputs:
- Use renewable or recyclable materials in production.
- Example: Levi’s using organic and recycled cotton.
- Impact: Reduces reliance on virgin resources.

2. Product Use Extension:
   
   • Extend product lifecycles through design for durability and repair.
   • Example: Patagonia’s Worn Wear program promotes garment repair.
   • Benefit: Reduces waste while building brand loyalty.
3. Sharing Platforms:
   
   • Facilitate shared use of resources to reduce underutilization.
   • Example: Car-sharing services like Zipcar.
   • Impact: Reduces demand for individual ownership.
4. Product as a Service:
   
   • Shift from selling products to providing access.
   • Example: Philips offering lighting as a service.
   • Challenge: Requires new business models and infrastructure.
5. Resource Recovery:
   
   • Recover materials from end-of-life products.
   • Example: Dell’s closed-loop recycling of electronics.
   • Benefit: Reduces material waste and promotes circularity.

Question 3

Criticism of the Circular economy

Answer 3

(Murray, Skene and Haynes)
* - Neglect of Social Dimensions: Focuses heavily on environmental and economic goals but overlooks social equity.

• Unintended Consequences:
  
  • Reliance on rare metals for recycling technologies may increase mining impacts.
  • Energy use for recovery and recycling can counteract sustainability goals.
• Systemic Barriers:
  
  • Requires global collaboration, large-scale infrastructure changes, and significant financial investment.
• Key Takeaway: CE is promising but must address practical challenges and unintended trade-offs.

Question 4

Barriers to the circular economy

Answer 4

1. Consumer resistance:
   - Lack of awareness or reluctance to change behaviours
   - Example: Preference for low-cost, disposable goods over repairable alternatives
2. Organisational Challenges:
   - Businesses are often locked into linear models due to cost structures and supply chains
   - Example: Fast fashion brands prioritising rapid production cycles
3. Systemic Change Requirements:
   • Transitioning requires government policy, business innovation, and consumer adoption.
   • Example: Infrastructure for large-scale material recovery is expensive and time-intensive.

Question 5

Doughnut Economy

Answer 5

(Raworth, 2017)
Definition:
An economic framework balancing the “social foundation” (basic human needs) and “ecological ceiling” (planetary boundaries).

Visualization:
- Inner ring: Represents minimum standards for human well-being (e.g., food, health, education).
- Outer ring: Represents environmental limits (e.g., climate change, biodiversity).

Seven Principles:
1. Shift focus from GDP growth to wellbeing.
2. Embed economy within societal and ecological systems.
3. Foster cooperation over competition.
4. Acknowledge economic complexity.
5. Ensure equitable distribution of resources.
6. Promote regeneration over depletion.
7. Be growth-agnostic: Focus on quality of life, not size of economy.

Applications:
- Amsterdam adopted the Doughnut model for city planning, integrating social equity and sustainability into urban development.

Criticism:
- Difficult to operationalize at a global scale.
- Requires significant shifts in policy and cultural attitudes.

Question 6

Degrowth

Answer 6

(Hickel, 2021)
A planned reduction in resource and energy use, particularly in affluent societies, to remain within planetary limits while maintaining human well-being

Core Principles:
1. Ecological Balance: Prioritize reducing environmental damage over GDP growth.
2. Equitable Redistribution: Address inequality by ensuring fair access to resources globally.
3. Shift Values: Promote non-materialistic lifestyles centered on well-being and community.
4. Localized Economies: Focus on strengthening local production and consumption networks to reduce global dependencies.

Advantages:
- Reduces environmental pressure by limiting overconsumption.
- Promotes societal well-being through less materialistic values.

Challenges:
- Economic Resistance: Growth-dependent economies are resistant to adopting degrowth.
- Cultural Barriers: Overcoming entrenched consumerism requires significant cultural change.
- Global Coordination: Implementing degrowth across nations requires cooperative policies and agreements.

Key Takeaway: Degrowth emphasizes sustainable living and equity but requires systemic change to address deeply rooted economic and social structures.

Question 7

Case study: LOAF bakery

Answer 7

Overview:
A community-focused bakery in Stirchley promoting ethical, sustainable, and accessible food practices

Key practices:
1. Affordability: Bread is treated as a staple, not a luxury.
2. Sustainability: Ingredients are locally sourced and organic.
3. Equality: All staff are paid equally and share responsibilities.
4. Community Engagement: Runs a cookery school teaching skills like breadmaking and sustainable food practices.

Partnerships:
- Collaborates with local businesses to strengthen community networks.
- Examples include partnerships with housing cooperatives and local farms.

Future Goals:
- Secure a long-term lease to expand operations.
- Increase partnerships in the local economy.
- Key Takeaway: LOAF Bakery demonstrates how small, local businesses can successfully integrate sustainability and equity into their operations.

Question 8

Expanded Examples of Circular Economy Applications

Answer 8

1. Apple:
   
   • Trade-in programs for old devices.
   • Recycled materials like aluminum used in MacBooks.
   • “Daisy” robot disassembles old iPhones to recover rare metals.
2. Adidas:
   
   • Produces shoes using recycled ocean plastics through its collaboration with Parley for the Oceans.
   • Aims for a fully recyclable shoe line.
3. Unilever:
   
   • Refill stations for personal care products to reduce plastic packaging.
   • Achieved a 50% reduction in virgin plastic usage.