Circular Economy

One of the key pillars of the Circular Economy is designing waste out of the system – but in order for this to happen we first need to understand the current situation. According to the World Bank, humans produce two billion tonnes of urban waste each year, with that figure set to rise to three and a half billion tonnes by 2050. Today, at least a third of this waste is mismanaged through burning or dumping, causing lasting environmental damage.

If we are to successfully tackle major issues such as climate change, waste crises and biodiversity loss,  the linear economy has to change. We must transform all elements of the take-make-waste system:

As the Circular Economy emerges, storytelling plays a central role. Beyond logic and rationale, systems level change relies on the clear communication of purpose, meaning and values. 

The fashion industry is deeply unsustainable. Every year, it creates almost 100 million tons of textile waste, which ends up in landfill or incinerated – emitting even more CO2, as well as toxic gases.

At the end of 2020, the world marked an alarming milestone: Human-made materials now weigh more than all of life on Earth.

In our latest episode of our podcast series on the Circular Economy, we spoke to Roy Verclouen of Circularity IQ.

The technology industry has the unique capacity to not only reduce its own resource consumption, but to help others do so as well. From digital solutions to artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT), tech can be embedded into a vast range of products and sectors to boost sustainability by enabling more circular practices

As sustainability becomes a priority for regulators and consumers alike, companies are under increasing pressure to be transparent about the environmental and social effects of all kinds of products.

The switch from selling products to offering product-as-a-service has transformed industries, from music to mobility. For the latest installment of our Circular Economy podcast series, Dave Mackerness from Kaer reveals how the company is disrupting the world of air conditioning, improving efficiency and folding sustainability goals into the bottom line. 

What do you do with that old laptop, kettle or toaster you no longer need? As it stands, your options are limited: throw it in the bin, take it to the tip, arrange a donation to a local charity shop, or hide it away and deal with it later.