Circular economy
*Alternative to linear economy. Rather than taking material resources from the Earth, making things, then throwing them away not long after, trying to reduce waste, reuse more materials and keep things in use for longer.
1. History
Kenneth Boulding’s 1966 paper, The economics of the coming spaceship earth, is often cited as the origin of the circular economy concept.
– Degrowth, green energy, social equity, and circular economy
MacArthur concluded that our economic system is fundamentally flawed. Her foundation promotes three principles: eliminate waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use (e.g., “right to repair”), and regenerate natural systems.
– Degrowth, green energy, social equity, and circular economy
2. Greenwashing
David Suzuki, in “Circular economy is too important to be co-opted by industry,” warns that Canadian corporations are “greenwashing” using circular economy jargon
– Degrowth, green energy, social equity, and circular economy
3. Criticisms
- Is unclear and lacks substance. Circular economy is ‘unclear and lacks substance’, new report finds.