This lesson introduces the circular economy and explains how it differs from the traditional linear model. It matters because the way products are designed and used affects resource consumption, pollution, and waste.
A circular economy (CE) is a model of production and consumption that aims to keep products, materials, and resources useful for as long as possible. It does this through practices such as sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, remanufacturing, and recycling.
All flashcards
What is a circular economy?
A model of production and consumption that seeks to reduce waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate natural systems.
What are the three core principles of circularity?
Design out waste and pollution; keep products and materials in use; and regenerate natural systems.
What does “take, make, waste” describe?
The linear economic pattern in which resources are extracted, converted into products, and ultimately discarded.
What is industrial symbiosis?
A resource-exchange approach in which a by-product or waste from one industry becomes a useful input for another.
How does repair support circularity?
Repair restores a product’s function and can extend its useful life, preserving the value of the product and its materials.
Quiz questions
What does decoupling environmental pressure from economic growth mean?Answer: Providing value and well-being without environmental damage rising at the same rate as economic growth.
In a product-as-a-service model, what do customers generally pay for?Answer: Access to a product or its performance, rather than ownership.
How can digital technologies support circular operations?Answer: By tracking assets, monitoring product condition, and coordinating reuse or recovery.
Why should sustainability assessments consider social impacts as well as material efficiency?Answer: Because costs and benefits can be distributed differently among workers and communities.
What practical limit applies to recycling material in repeated cycles?Answer: Material recovery can involve losses, while collection and processing require resources and energy.
Based on the Wikipedia article Circular economy, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.