BENEFICIAL FOR THE ENVIRONMENT? PERFORM A LIFE-CYCLE ASSESSMENT A life-cycle assessment is the only way to ensure that projects or measures in the circular economy actually help to reduce the environmental impact. A life-cycle assessment includes all the relevant environmental effects over the full life-cycle of products.
urces reso ble a ew en
tio
n
osting & a
I
& ion at er n i nc
di g
es
ren rie
n nde we er
en eairl
UT ELC MLLM SCAO
Co mp
c o bi n aer
sh bi
WRie dues erv
& NG CLI RECY
Y s renewable energy. It and economically as ls and natural r the supply of
R
used in line with the o that they are not They then retain their d again in product and
No n-r ene wab le res ources
ycles al c tur Na
EWABLE RESOURCES iculture, forestry or ch conserve the natural
RAW RMOA HTSE TROI AFL F
aterial extraction, through design, t products and materials remain
DESDIEGSNIG&N P&RO PD RU OC DTU IKOTN ION
GNG ITNU RSES E C OFB PARU
DISTRIBUTION
eing thrown away after use and recycling (green arrows in the for as long as possible and their the linear economic system.
STh
INCINERATION & LANDFILL
CHARACTERISTICS OF CYCLABLE PRODUCTION - ECODESIGN • Durable, repairable, modular design and products which can be dismantled • No chemicals hazardous to the environment and health • Separable, safe, recyclable materials
Re paR ire pa
TION
ReW miaen duefr acu tfubre er,e ritee fnu r
acted and products are made, nt environmental problems.
NIOG N
l dfil lan
G UN USTEZ U N & & IOMN TU PS ON CONSU KM
The circular economy
Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the circular economy. In this paper, the term 'business model' refers to all of the steps shown in the outer circle and the term 'strategies' refers to the steps shown by the inner arrows. Source: Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN)
WHAT IS THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY? The circular economy is an economic system of production, trade and consumption that, from the design of a product through to its end of life, is designed to optimise the use of resources and reduce the impact of economic activity on the environment. Figure 1 is a schematic representation of the circular economy. It is not exhaustive, but illustrates the basic principle: the circularity of resources and the extension of the use phase. The circular economy offers a set of strategies and business models designed to limit the consumption and wastage of raw materials, water and energy (see page 10). This innovative system represents a paradigm shift that accommodates the concept of sustainable development and offers an alternative to the current – linear – economic system.
INTRODUCTION
7
