What is the circular economy? Who's doing it? And what are some of the best examples of it in action? In part one of our what is the circular economycircular economyA systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. It is based on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature. series, Joe Iles and Ellen MacArthur consider what this idea might mean for cars, packaging and sandwiches.
Joe Iles and Ellen MacArthur talk through the Foundation's butterfly diagram including examples of repairrepairOperation by which a faulty or broken product or component is returned back to a usable state to fulfil its intended use., remanufacturing, sharingsharingThe use of a product by multiple users. It is a practice that retains the highest value of a product by extending its use period., and the importance of distinguishing between biological and technical cycles.
What can we do to start trying to think differently and to start thinking in a way that is more circular rather than linear? Joe Iles and Ellen MacArthur cover a range of topics in the final part of their conversation about the circular economy, including emerging trends in design, technology, business models and the wider changes already happening in the economy.
