10 questions about the circular economy

The circular economy is an economic model designed to extend the lifespan of the same product as many times as possible, in contrast with the traditional linear economy.

The linear model's approach is based on the standard "extract → manufacture → consume → throw away" diagram, which subsequently involves consuming vast amounts of natural resources and producing waste at the end of the product's life cycle.

The circular model involves
- eco-design (designing products to make them longer lasting and are repairable or recyclable),
- reuse and repair(encouraging reuse and servicing products to prevent throwing them on the scrapheap),
- recycling (transforming the materials at end-of-life into new resources),
- sharing and product-service system (promoting product hire and second-hand).

The transition from a traditional economy to a circular model is a profound transformation that, all at once, entails several structural, organisational and cultural challenges.
We can observe different issues, such as those mentioned in the previous question:eco-design, reuse, recycling...

From a company's perspective, this is also about rethinking its supply chain (consider, in particular, product traceability and even the storage of second-hand products), along with revising its business model (switching from product sales to a model based on product-service, hire, subscription).

It is about far-reaching change for teams, partners and consumers alike (raising awareness, changing buying and selling habits...,).

The circular economy can be applied to almost any product type, whether it be electronics, clothing, furniture, or even packaging. However, each category has its own specifics, requiring a slightly different approach.

For electronics products, for example, it's about designing them in ways that make them repairable, should the need arise, reducing subsequently the extraction of rare earth metals required in manufacturing them.

From a clothing perspective, the idea is to move towards towards more sustainable and recyclable clothes or transform them into new fibres when worn out. But here again, the garment has to be designed to this end from the start.And then, the garment has to go to the appropriate recycling bank.

Lastly, whatever the product type, considerable research and development investment is required to create more adaptable and easier-to-repair products, making them last as long as possible.

The circular economy brings numerous environmental benefits by rethinking how each of us produces, consumes and manages resources.

It is above all about reducing waste: by reusing, repairing or recycling products, we significantly reduce the amount of product waste. Transforming, for example, worn-out clothes into new fibres or reusing construction materials prevents these from going to landfills or being incinerated.

Then, demand for raw materials becomes limited, of course, since the idea is to make the most of existing resources. There is, as a result, less of a strain on the ecosystem and biodiversity.
Extracting less raw materials also helps to reduce the associated greenhouse gas emissions.
Generally speaking, it is about slowing down the depletion of natural resources

Less waste means less strain on resources and less pollution. The circular economy constitutes an interesting lever to reduce human activity's environmental footprint.

Reselling and purchasing second-hand are simple and effective ways to reduce your carbon footprint... while making savings!
Producing new items (clothing, furniture, electronic devices, etc,) consumes lots of natural resources and energy. 

When you opt for the "second-hand" (or third-hand, fourth-hand...) version, you maximise their use and prevent them from prematurely becoming waste. It results in It results in needing less production and, therefore, fewer resources extracted and less pollution.
As mentioned earlier, reducing the waste to be processed is as beneficial for the environment as it is for the community.

Preferring the circular economy is also a means for the consumer to save money: in fact, buying second-hand products, hiring or opting for repairable products often costs less than buying new ones or often replacing objects.
Added bonus: by making these types of products your first choice, you are investing in sturdier and more reliable products.

The other advantage, not to be neglected, is that it gives you greater flexibility. With product hire, subscription... you use products when you need them, without having to store them. Or have to worry about their maintenance!
In short, you are entering into a virtuous circle, all while saving money.

Plastic, metal (rare earth or not), water, soils... Doing away with the extraction/manufacturing stage has many advantages! Whether it's saving water or plastic, every time an object is repaired/sold/hired, resources will not end up being used. We could mention, in particular, water (by opting for second-hand or recycled clothes, we reduce demand for new products and, therefore, the water used in manufacturing them) or even fossil fuels (oil, coal, natural gas...,) that is used in manufacturing many goods, leading to massive greenhouse gas emissions.

- A direct reduction in waste sent to landfills
Many products end up in landfills when they could be reused or recycled. The waste contributes to land, water and air pollution. By buying back and refurbishing worn-out products, we prevented them from being prematurely thrown away.

- By reusing existing resources
End-of-life products contain valuable materials (rare metals, high-quality plastics) that can be reused. Refurbishing services help to put these materials back into circulation without extracting new resources, limiting the environmental impacts associated with the extraction, such as deforestation and pollution.

We refer to avoided emissions as part of the circular economy because this model limits the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) at several stages of the products' life cycle by adopting practices such as reuse, repair or recycling. 

These emissions, which would have been emitted in the linear economic model, are thus "avoided" thanks to sustainable solutions.

As we have seen, the circular economy presents a new advantage. It can subsequently play a role in the fight against climate change by transforming how we produce and consume.

A reduction in emissions linked to production
By prolonging products' lifespan (repair, reuse, refurbishment) and by favouring the use of recycled materials, the circular economy reduces demand for new raw materials. It decreases greenhouse gas emissions associated with their extraction, transformation and transport.

Less waste and methane
By reducing waste sent to the landfills, the circular economy limits methane emissions, a greenhouse gas that comes from decomposing organic materials in landfills.

Optimising energy use
Industrial circular processes, like recycling or by-products, often consume less energy than manufacturing from virgin raw materials, which reduces emissions associated with energy production.

Encouraging renewable energy use
The circular economy encourages the using local and sustainable energy systems, such as recyclable solar panels or technologies using renewable materials.

A more energy-efficient consumption model
By adopting practices such as product hire, sharing or buying second-hand, consumers reduce demand for new products. It limits emissions linked to producing goods often underused in the traditional model.

Avoided emissions
When companies or consumers prefer a refurbished product to a new one or extend the length of its use, emissions otherwise generated by producing a new item are avoided.