Circular Economy

Circular Economy is a production and consumption model and aims to keep resources and materials in use as long as possible and, when they can no longer be used, to recover and regenerate products and materials for reuse. It is based on the principles of preventing waste and pollution, preserving products and materials, and regenerating natural systems. This is in contrast to the traditional linear economy, which is based on a take-make-waste approach. This model relies on large quantities of cheap, readily available materials and energy. Also part of this model is planned wearability, where a product is designed to have a limited lifespan in order to encourage consumers to repurchase it. The European Parliament has called for action to address this practice.

In March 2020, the European Commission presented the Circular Economy Action Plan, which aims to promote more sustainable product design, reduce waste and empower consumers, for example by creating the right to repair. The focus is on resource-intensive sectors such as electronics, plastics, textiles and construction.

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