A circular economy is a system in which products and materials are kept in use for as long as possible, while waste and environmental impacts are designed out. Unlike a linear economy, which follows a take, make, use, dispose model, it uses closed or regenerative material flows.
The Reasoning and Mechanism
In a linear economy, raw materials are extracted, manufactured into products, used, and then discarded. This creates waste and requires continued extraction of finite resources.
Circular design considers the product's entire life cycle from the beginning of the design process. Designers aim to maintain the value of products, components, and materials through durability, maintenance, repair, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, and recycling.
| Factor | Linear economy | Circular economy |
|---|---|---|
| Material flow | One-way, or open-loop | Cyclical, or closed-loop |
| Design priority | Production, sale, and initial use | Long life, recovery, and continued value |
| End of life | Disposal, landfill, or incineration | Reuse, repair, remanufacture, or recycling |
| Product construction | May be difficult to separate or repair | Often modular and designed for disassembly |
| Resource use | Repeated extraction of virgin materials | Reduced extraction through recirculation |
| Environmental aim | Impacts are often managed after production | Waste and pollution are designed out |
A circular economy can include two material cycles. In a biological cycle, safe biodegradable materials return to natural systems. In a technical cycle, materials such as metals, polymers, and components remain in circulation without entering the biosphere.
A common misconception is that a circular economy simply means recycling. Recycling is usually a later strategy because it can consume energy and reduce material quality. Maintaining, reusing, and repairing a product generally preserve more of its original value.