Topic 14: Circular Economy

Question 1

What does the circular economy involve?

Answer 1

An analysis of human activities/ assessment of how using the principles of natural systems would create more sustainable lifestyles

Question 2

what is the circular economy?

Answer 2

An economic system based on the reuse and regeneration of materials/products especially as a means of continuing production in a sustainable way

Question 3

10 principles of the circular economy

Answer 3

Cycling of materials
Energy derived from renewable resources
Human activities should support ecosystems
Diverse systems are more resistant to change
Connected systems
Design products for extended use and for end of life reuse
Separation of technical and biological materials
Optimism production rather than maximum
Technology to design new products/improve system effectiveness

Question 4

Explain cycling of materials as a principle of the circular economy

Answer 4

Biogeochemical cycles involve interconnected physical and biochemical processes where the waste from one processes is the raw materials for another
This way there is no resource depletion or build up of wastes

Question 5

Explain energy being derived from renewables as a principle of the circular economy

Answer 5

Almost all natural processes are driven by renewables e.g. solar

Question 6

Explain why ‘human activites should support ecosystems’ is a principle of the circular economy

Answer 6

Human survival relies on services provided by natural ecosystems
So it is important that human activites dont destroy them

Question 7

Explain why ‘diverse systems are more resistant to change’ is a principle of the circular economy

Answer 7

Each component of a diverse system is less likely to be important
Impact of any changes to them would therefore be smaller

Question 8

Explain connected systems as a principle of the circular economy

Answer 8

Natural systems are usually connected wen the waste of one is the raw material of another

Question 9

Explain why ‘designing products for extended use’ is a principle of the circular economy

Answer 9

They have longer lives which reduces the oppeetuinties for material loss at the end of product life
Been thoroughly used

Question 10

Explain why designing products for end of life reuse is a principle of the circular economy

Answer 10

Reuse/recycling is easier if an item is designed so materials can be easily identified, sepearated and reused

Question 11

Explain the separation of technical and biological materials as a principle pf the circular economy

Answer 11

It is important because metals and plastics require different reprocessing methods for example

Question 12

Explain optimum production instead of maximum production as a principle of the circular economy

Answer 12

Matural systems usually over produce, the surplus then supports prcocesses the system relies on
This contrasts agroecosystems which aim for maximum harvestable yield

Question 13

Explain technology ro design new products and improve system effectiveness as a principle for the circular economy

Answer 13

Improved design increases efficiency of energy use, reduces material use and enables dismantling for re use

Question 14

What activities can be sustainably developed by applying the principles of the circular economy?

Answer 14

Land uses that support natural ecosystems
Water supply
Mineral resource management
Waste management
Pollution control
Energy supplies
Food production
Diverse systems

Question 15

How can urban development support natural ecosystem?

Answer 15

Management of green spaces,gardens and buildings
Allow wildlife to colonise

Question 16

how can agriculture be developed to support natural ecosystems?

Answer 16

Agriculture-environmental schemes
They can optimise yields whist benefiting wildlife

Question 17

How can forestry be developed to support natural; ecosystems

Answer 17

Mixed species forests of indigenous trees
Increases wildlife value

Question 18

How can fishery management be developed to support natural ecosystems?

Answer 18

Improve fishing methods so fish populations are sustainably exploited, bycatch is reduced, as is environmental damage

Question 19

How can mineral resources be developed to support natural ecosystems?

Answer 19

Extraction will always cause habitat damage
Good management will reduce the impact, as will site restoration after mine closure

Question 20

How can waste management be developed to support natural ecosystems?

Answer 20

Good waste management reduces pollution including that, that harms wildlife

Question 21

How can the principles of the circular economy be applied to water supply

Answer 21

Good management of water catchments, aquifers and water conservation
Will reduce impact sof water uses on wildlife

Question 22

How can the principles of circular economy be applied to mineral resource management

Answer 22

Increasing reserves by exploiting low-grade orders
Better design of products to extend lives
Replaceable parts with good quality spares/technical support
Reduce unnessesary use e.g. excessive packaging

Question 23

How can the principles of the circular economy be applied to waste management?

Answer 23

Repair,reuse,refurbish,recycle
Redesign to make reuse easier

Question 24

How can the principles of the circular economy be applied to pollution control

Answer 24

Move from post production treatment to non-release by changing technology/processes
Industrial synergy-waste becomes resource
Better design so waste is separated

Question 25

How can the principles of the circular economy be applied to energy supplies?

Answer 25

Use renewables and low temperature manufacturing processes
Development of storage methods to make renewables easier to use
Development of methods that improve energy densities so fossil fuels can be replaced

Question 26

How can the principles of the circular economy be applied to food production?

Answer 26

By including natural processes into nutrient supply, pest control,soil maintenance

Question 27

how can the principles of the circular economy be applied to diverse systems?

Answer 27

Diverse technical system would be more stable, like diverse systems are
E.g. societies relying on a range of renewables rather than one only

Question 28

What areas of focus has the EU aimed proposed/introduced initiatives at, to reduce environmental impacts/support the circular economy?

Answer 28

Conservation of biodiversity
Waste management/pollution control
Water
Energy
Design of manufactured appliances

Question 29

Give examples of proposed/introduced EU initiatives to support the circular economy in terms of conservation of biodiversity

Answer 29

Better protection of ecosystems and habitats
Development of green infrastructure
Better management of fish stocks
More sustainable agriculture and forestry
Better control of introduced species

Question 30

Give examples of proposed/introduced EU initiatives to support the circular economy in terms of waste management and pollution control

Answer 30

Better control of urban waste water
Minimal landfill use
More recycling of electronics/electrical appliances/batteries/packaging
More control of industrial emissions
More use of composted materials as fertilisers
Reduced food waste/use of packaging

Question 31

Give examples of proposed/introduced EU initiatives to support the circular economy in terms of water

Answer 31

More re use
Better management of the quantity and quality of resources

Question 32

Give examples of proposed/introduced EU initiatives to support the circular economy in terms of energy

Answer 32

More use of biofuels/other renewables for transport
Improved energy efficiency of fridges/freezers
Increased use of waste for energy generation
Increased use of renewables

Question 33

Give examples of proposed/introduced EU initiatives to support the circular economy in terms of design of manufactured appliances

Answer 33

Improve design so they can be repaired to extend life
So Materials can be reused/recylced
Reduced use of toxic materials e.g. in electrical appliances
More use of recylced materials in road/building construction
Easier battery replacement
Vehicle manufacture using recycled materials

Question 34

Why is it difficult for governments to implement the principles of the circular economy however much they want to protect the environment/

Answer 34

The cost of implementing these schemes is expensive
Companies in countries where these initiatives are in place are at more of an economical disadvantage than companies in countries where they aren’t in place

Question 35

How could governments implement initiative e to support the circular economy in a more effective way?

Answer 35

More even approach if groups of countries use a common approach
A group would have better coordination/regulation/monitoring of activities than an individual
As a group allows more successful and effective environmental protection- also allows countries that aren’t successful to be supported