The Circular Economy and You

Let’s consider that you’re already taking steps to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate global climate change: 

• Transport: You use public transport, bikes, electric vehicles, and trains when possible.
• Electricity: You buy efficient lighting and appliances and pursue renewable energy supplies like solar panels.
• Heating: You adjust the thermostat up in summer and down in winter.
• Food: You even reduce your consumption of red meat and increase your consumption of plant-based foods for a more climatarian diet. 

When you make smart choices in transport, electricity use, heating, and food, you’re well on your way to living a climatarian lifestyle, reducing the Carbon Cost of your activities, and contributing to global efforts to prevent further climate change.

But what comes next?! How do you go the next mile toward living a truly climatarian life?

Break Away From Linear Thinking

First, let us explain how the traditional linear economy works and why moving toward a circular economy can help the planet.

Right now, most businesses and consumers operate in a linear economy. Economies extract raw materials and manufacture products. Then consumers buy them, use them, and eventually discard them as waste. Consumers then move on to buy more similar or slightly updated items, such as next season’s fashion, phone, toy, or car model. 

This “take-make-waste” approach is unsustainable, depleting natural resources, causing environmental degradation, and significantly contributing to climate change. 

In fact, in this economic model, we currently use 70% more resources than the earth can regenerate every year.

This linear consumption path is a problem because: 

1. Taking has a Carbon Cost. Extraction of minerals and other resources, particularly fossil fuels, requires extensive energy use. Further…
   • At our current rate of taking resources,  we will need “Three Earths” by 2050 to meet global demand. 
   • We do not have that option. We only have one Earth.
2. Making has a Carbon Cost. Everyday goods we buy—appliances, clothing, toys, vehicles—each have considerable carbon footprints from the production lines that make them!
   • The industrial sector, which makes all the non-food stuff we buy, generates more greenhouse gas emissions than food, transport, electricity, or building heating.
3. Wasting has a Carbon Cost. Much of the stuff we make does not biodegrade and often is multi-material and, therefore, difficult to recycle.
   • Waste disposal industries often need to generate additional emissions to break waste down. 
   • Not to mention, the land we use for waste storage can become damaged and unsuitable for generating life and further resources. 

Industrial Production Causes Climate Change

How bad is the linear economy? The industrial sector consumes more global energy than transport or buildings:

• Industry: Consumes 37% of all global energy 
• Transport: Consumes 30% of all global energy
• Buildings: Consume 30% of global energy (heating and electricity combined)

Much of industrial energy consumption comes from fossil fuels used to make heat for processes like dying fabric, extruding plastic, and shaping steel. Every product we buy is tied to the Carbon Cost of taking those resources, making that product, and disposing of it. Each step in the process releases emissions into the atmosphere. 

Simply put, the more new stuff we make, the higher the carbon cost.

A Circular Economy Breaks the Chain of Constant Consumption

In a world increasingly conscious of environmental sustainability, the concept of the circular economy is gaining traction as a viable solution to many of the challenges posed by our current linear economic model. A circular model is restorative and regenerative by design. Economic growth does not rely so heavily on the consumption of finite resources. This is because products, materials, and resources are reused as a first priority as long as possible. After that, repairing and refurbishing are put into place, and finally, items are Recycled or Returned to the Earth (rotting/biodegrading) when at the end of their utility.  In this system, waste is minimized, and the lifecycle of products is extended, reducing the need for new resources and limiting environmental impact.

Circular Economic Principles

Some shared principles of a circular economy can be summarized as follows:

1. Design Out Waste and Pollution: In a circular model, product makers design products and processes to eliminate waste and pollution at the outset. This involves rethinking product design, manufacturing processes, and business models to ensure that materials can be easily reused, repaired, or recycled. Individuals who participate in this type of thinking can practice buying less but better products. 

2. Keep Products and Materials in Use: The circular economy emphasizes the importance of keeping products and materials in circulation for as long as possible. We can achieve this through strategies like shopping surplus first, sharing, repairing, and borrowing items. 

3. Regenerate Natural Systems: The circular economy aims to restore and regenerate natural ecosystems. This involves using renewable resources, maintaining the health of ecosystems, and ensuring that materials return safely to the environment at the end of their lifecycle.

A basic model of how a circular economy works.

The circular economy is a complete rethink of how supply chains work, how consumers use their power to influence those supply chains, and how items are disposed of. As a first step in a circular system, we must rethink and carefully consider the path of whatever we are considering purchasing. If that item has not been made using circular principles, we must refuse it. If it has been made using circular principles, then we must reuse it after purchase. Participating in a circular economy can help save consumers money while helping to save the planet, but only if we stop and think before we buy. Let us introduce you to the major “rungs” of a circular economy to give you a fuller picture of the Carbon Costs involved in economic choices.

The Rungs of a Circular Economy

Beyond the oversimplified slogans to “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle,” the circular economy model asks product makers and consumers like you to reconsider how goods are made, how they are used, and what you do with them when they are no longer useful to you. Environmental organizations and climate advocates have helped expand the 3Rs to a more holistic list of 10 “Rs” that we group into rungs. 
In the circular economy,  each rung is associated with an additional Carbon Cost,  so it’s always best to try and make choices that allow you to stay on the first rung.  The most impactful of these is reusing, which includes shopping surplus first.

Rung 1.  Change How You Buy and Buy Less

The most important rung in a circular economy are the steps involved in changing what you buy and how you buy it: Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse. You should start practicing using these Rs to buy less but better items that are made using circular principles. Reusing is on this rung and if you do nothing else but try to avoid buying new by shopping surplus first, you will take the biggest step possible to interrupt the costly linear economy.

Rethink: Participating in a circular economy all starts with rethinking your default consumption patterns and habits. For instance, if you aren’t likely to reuse a product more than once, rethink whether you need to buy it versus exploring if there is a way to borrow it from a shared resource like a neighbor, a library of things, or a rental. 

Refuse: Avoid the consumption or use of unnecessary products or resources, especially single-use or non-sustainable ones, or products with excess packaging.  Refuse to buy products that can’t be repaired or that lack durability (e.g., fast fashion). 

Reduce: Reduce your overall consumption of goods. For one, carefully plan your food shopping to reduce waste on items you’ll never eat. In general, buy a single, well-made item that will last a long time instead of multiple items that will deteriorate within a year or two. Think smaller and consider an “only what you need” mantra to guide your shopping.

Reuse: Extend the life of products by using them multiple times, either for their original purpose or through creative new uses. Little things like using a refillable water bottle start you on this journey. Keeping reusable shopping bags can also help you reduce the consumption of disposable ones. Use second-hand stores or surplus offerings to reuse items already in circulation as much as possible, and you could save an average of £3600 annually as a household!

Rung 2.  Prolong and Adapt What You Have

After reusing an item in its original form as many times as possible, you will need to move that item onto the 2nd rung. These are the the principles of Redesign, Repair & Refurbish, and Repurpose/Renovate. Now, the actions on this rung will almost always introduce some sort of additional Carbon Cost, even if it’s just the energy use of a sewing machine to stitch a torn pair of jeans. It’s important to learn what you can about your options, to try to upskill so you can keep Carbon Costs of this rung down, and to be flexible in your approach to prolonging the life of materials by changing an item somehow. It’s also important to remember that this process will always be less costly to the planet than disposing of and replacing an item.

Redesign: This is an “R” for product manufacturers, encouraging them to develop products made from sustainable, renewable resources and designed to be more durable, easy to repair, and recyclable. As a consumer, identify brands that are redesigning products to encourage circularity.  You can encourage “Redesign” by purchasing products that have been manufactured with sustainability as a focus. This includes products designed with repurposing, repair, and refurbishing in mind.

Repair &  Refurbish: Fix broken or worn products instead of discarding them. That enables them to continue being used and reducing the need for new products. Often, a repair can prolong an item for a fraction of the cost of buying a new one. Many retailers sell refurbished items that have been repaired or inspected by the manufacturer. They often cost less than buying new. A classic refurbishing technique today is replacing weak smartphone batteries that are otherwise perfectly good. Many communities and organizations offer repair services or workshops where people can learn how to fix their belongings. Some major consumer brands also offer product refurbishment. Meanwhile, governments are pushing “right to repair” legislation to encourage this habit.

Repurpose/ renovate: Adapt items for a new function different from their original purpose, giving them a second life instead of discarding them. This is also often called “upcycling”. For instance, we led a project to turn aluminium cans into flowers to decorate a park. You can encourage repurposing by buying products that make repurposing part of their design. The company Cotopaxi repurposes so-called “deadstock” scraps of cloth to make many of its colourful signature bags and backpacks.

Rung 3.  Dispose of Goods Properly

If a product has truly reached the end of its useable life, and its materials have been repurposed or reused, then we consider disposal. At this step, it is extremely important to be informed about the best way to dispose of things. If you live in Oxfordshire, we recommend using the county’s waste wizard for help. 

Recycle: Unfortunately, recycling has a very high Carbon Cost because of the energy associated with breaking materials down to turn them into something new. Learn how to properly dispose of your items and understanding how costly material production is.  Because making both glass and metal consumes substantial energy, recycling your metal and glass items is particularly important. This conserves raw material resources and breaks the chain of the linear economic model. 

Return to the Earth (Rotting/Biodegrading): You can leave some organic items, like food waste and cardboard, to rot via composting. Composting is the most sustainable way to dispose of organic items with minimal greenhouse gas emissions. Composting reduces the amount of methane released during decomposition compared to when we send an item to landfill. This process also creates organic fertilizer that agriculture can use to help start the next cycle of food production. That helps to fuel a circular economy in agriculture, such as in your own garden or yard.

Our Ten Rs of the Circular Economy is a variation of a model put forth by: Cramer, Jacqueline (2017). “The Raw Materials Transition in the Amsterdam Metropolitan Area: Added Value for the Economy, Well-Being, and the Environment”. Environment. 59 (3). Taylor & Francis: 14–21. Bibcode:2017ESPSD..59c..14C. doi:10.1080/00139157.2017.1301167. S2CID 157859507.

Moving to a Circular Economy Can Make Our Economy More Resilient

Learning about the different Carbon Costs associated with each rung helps us prioritize the best circular choices to make.

Small habit changes can create big wins for our economy and our planet. It will also help move our economy bit by bit from mostly linear to a more circular model.  This represents a big shift, but one that can benefit society at large and your purse by building resilience. 

Circular economies can create jobs and growth by employing people who help design, remake, and repair more sustainable products. By engaging in a circular economy and consuming less, we can reduce emissions. That will help cut the risks of extreme weather events that disrupt transport, destroy buildings, and harm agriculture and fisheries. 

Our adoption of a circular economy will help to forestall catastrophic economic costs caused by climate change. Climate change already costs the world roughly $200 billion per year in economic damage. But estimates suggest that damage will grow to over $1 trillion a year by 2050. A circular economy, where companies replace the traditional linear chains with regenerative systems, could create over 6 million jobs and over £4 trillion in sustainable growth globally in the next 6 years. 

The Circular Economy Saves Your Money

Participating in a circular economy can also save you money by reducing the need for frequent purchases and maximizing the lifespan of products. In this model, product makers design goods to be durable, repairable, and upgradeable, allowing you to use them for longer periods. Instead of buying new, many people can take advantage of secondhand markets, purchasing refurbished or pre-owned products at lower prices. Circular habits reduce the need for consumers to spend on goods with ever-rising prices. That promotes financial resilience during the current cost of living crisis.

Repair and refurbishment services further reduce costs by making it affordable to fix broken items rather than replace them. Additionally, product-as-a-service models, such as renting or sharing, allow consumers to access goods without the financial burden of ownership. For example, car-sharing or tool rental services save money for those who don’t need to own these items outright.

Circular economies also promote resource-efficient products, leading to lower utility bills through energy-saving devices and water-efficient appliances. By minimizing waste and encouraging smarter resource use, the circular economy helps consumers save money while promoting sustainability.

Meanwhile, when you buy less “stuff,” you have more money on hand that you can use to:

• Increase your savings
• Buy more services for you and your family
• Enjoy more experiences vs. things.

If you are not sure where to start and you live in Oxfordshire or its environs, our sustainable shopping map can help you identify local circular vendors.  

Besides Saving Money, Why Participate in a Circular Economy?

Of course, the most significant benefit of the circular economy is its ability to mitigate climate change. Climate change is a global crisis with far-reaching consequences. The linear economy contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions through the extraction and processing of raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, and waste disposal.

By contrast, the circular economy reduces emissions by promoting resource efficiency and minimizing waste. Keeping items in circulation as long as possible is the single best way to try and address the production lines that account for roughly 60% of total carbon emissions. 

As a related benefit, the circular economy reduces the demand for new raw materials, conserving natural resources. This is particularly important for resources that are finite or require environmentally destructive extraction methods like deforestation and strip mining. As mentioned earlier, we are extracting more resources than the Earth can generate. We will need the total capacity of three Earths by 2050 to meet consumer demands if we do not change now. By keeping materials in use for longer and promoting recycling, the circular economy reduces the pressure on ecosystems and helps maintain biodiversity.

How Can You Participate in the Circular Economy?

Transitioning to a circular economy requires the collective efforts of governments, businesses, and individuals. While systemic changes are necessary, there are several ways individuals can contribute to the circular economy in their everyday lives. At Cherwell Collective, we support local circular infrastructure through the activities of our groups. The best thing you can do is get involved.

If you live further afield from our services, start with the three rungs described above, and then consider these key themes to guide your practices. Meanwhile, our top five principles for climatarian living are all geared toward helping you adopt more sustainable consumption habits. 

Keep in mind that the circular economy encourages sharing and leasing as alternatives to ownership. By participating in sharing schemes, such as car-sharing, tool libraries, clothing rental services, or even our Oxford Party Library, individuals can access the products they need without the environmental impact associated with manufacturing and disposing of these items. This approach also promotes the efficient use of resources by maximizing the utilization of products.

Support Circular Businesses

Consumers can support businesses that embrace circular economy principles by buying from companies that prioritize sustainability. This might include purchasing products made from recycled materials, supporting brands that offer take-back programs for their products, or choosing services that promote repair and refurbishment. In Oxfordshire, we are helping consumers and businesses play a role in creating better circular practices through our Good Waste Charter. Have a read and commit to taking small steps today.  

You can play a crucial role by adopting sustainable consumption habits, reducing waste, and supporting circular businesses. As more people and organizations embrace the principles of the circular economy, we move closer to a future where economic growth decouples from environmental degradation and where we achieve prosperity in harmony with the planet.

Suggested Further Reading and Research

Learn about circular economies from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and their detailed Deep Dive article.