Working with Loops
A circular economy is a systemic approach to economic development designed to benefit businesses, society, and the environment. An economy that is restorative and regenerative by design. In a circular economy, activity builds and rebuilds systems. The concept recognizes the importance of the economy needing to work effectively at all scales — big and small businesses, organizations and individuals, global and local.
It is based on three principles:
• Design out waste and pollution
• Keep products and materials in use
- Regenerate natural systems
According to my understanding, a circular economy is a system that works in loops. The loops can be individual in nature have intersections, overlapping areas giving space to build new designs and concepts. Also helping one to innovate with changing times.
Explaining the Circular Economy and How Society Can Re-think Progress:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCRKvDyyHmI&feature=youtu.be
A linear economy is a model based on the ‘take-make-consume-waste’ approach. The raw material is transformed into a product and after it nears the end it is considered as waste. One very good example is plastic straws, the life of this product is for few minutes we use it to sip liquid after our needs are met the straw is thrown away (we don’t reuse the plastic straw keeping hygiene in mind which is a good reason but one has to think about the how else can we maximize its use). This question can be answered by the approach of a circular economy. It implies the reuse approach. The purpose of the circular economy is to prevent waste. One has to design reusable and sustainable products. Therefore, raw materials must follow the cycle of production-use-recycling-production.
A circular economy has multiple benefits such as reducing pressure on the environment, by using the approach of reusing. This will ensure maximum utilization of all, from the product to the material. Therefore, Improving the security and supply of resources. The concept of a sustainable and eco-friendly product system has led to an increase in competitiveness and stimulates innovation. Designers and industry in present times are looking at exploring and experimenting with what they already have leading to creations of products that are unique and have a higher value. The feeling that I am creating/fulfilling my needs and also helping for a cause will always be an amazing motivation, be it for the users or the producers. Boosting economic growth and creating jobs are some other benefits. The circular economy has also made people more mindful in terms of their actions leading to awareness.
Design also follows the approach of a circular economy. One designs to keep products, materials, and components at their highest value and utility at all times. As designers, we try to use what is already existing and come up with something unique. An idea, innovation that will help in solving problems by using different tools.
We all have been using the Laws of circular economy in our day to day life unconsciously. We call it a family heirloom, inheriting objects, jewelry, clothes for generations. We all take pride in this system. The fact that when someone says that this watch is 100 years old you see a spark in their tone. These objects have stories, history attached to them increasing their value. In simpler words, the objects passed down gets a new life when they get a new owner. They are taken care of, repaired, and seen as priced positions.
The circular economy has been making its way into the industries, few examples are Ikea and Body shop. Ikea has a system that allows the customers to return the products, furniture’s that belongs to Ikea and are no more in use. Reasons can range from shifting homes to broken products or the user needs a change. Later Ikea takes up all the products returned to them and reuses them, to make new products. Similarly, body shop stores have put up baskets for customers to return the empty bottles of their products which are later recycled and re-used. Reducing their carbon footprint, initiating a loop.
Designers play a very important role in terms of connecting the dots, innovating, introducing, and creating. Designers have the responsibility of creating something new keeping in mind that what we are creating should be helpful and not add to the existing problems. We can connect the consumers by making them aware of their actions and giving choices that make sure they are fulfilling their needs but consciously also participating in the wellbeing of all. The industry is dependent on customers. The demand curve will the tool that the industry will rely on and act in accordance with. This intersection between users and produces can be used to manipulate the system for a better, more efficient, and sustainable system. In my opinion, designers play the role of connecting the smaller elements to create a bigger picture.
One of the best examples of a circular economy that we all have been a part of is the life cycle of clothes. To explain my thought, I will be taking a t-shirt as my artifact. The perspective will flow from consumer — industry — consumer
A T-shirt’s life cycle can be divided into multiple sections and directions. The initial stages being the same. When a t-shirt is bought, stage one is Occasionwear (for going out only), after some time it becomes daily wear, leading to it becoming a shirt only to be worn at home and then only for night time, as it value decreases the usage may get divided into three directions first it can be used at home as a dusting cloth second to be given away and third can be repaired and repurposed. In the first cycle, it remains in the same environment reduces to rags, and is finally thrown away. Whereas in the second it starts a new life cycle again creating a loop in a new environment. In the third, it gets a new form e.g.: collecting different t-shirts stitching them together to make a blanket. Later all the 3 possibilities meet again at a new point. Where they all have boiled down to rags, treated as waste. The new loop that starts here is in relation to the industries, companies that are working towards making sustainable products. They collect what is considered as waste, re-cycle it. One can be in patchwork format and the second outcome will be the rags converting into threads taking the raw form. From here the cycle repeats. Keeping in mind that in the present time, the trend is sustainable products. Therefore, these new products gain a higher value in the market.
When one looks at the process shown above it not only uncovers the layers of possibilities but also shows how everything is interconnected. Exposing the permutation and combination possibilities. A loop that started at home connects to a group that later made connections with a community. A circular economy is a power full system when explored, implemented, will have outcomes leading to gains for all.
REFERENCES
https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/explore/the-circular-economy-in-detail
https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/circular-economy/concept
https://www.entrepreneurship-campus.org/the-difference-between-linear-circular-economy/
https://leafymade.se/the-importance-of-circular-economy/
https://www.slideshare.net/WorldCircularEconomyForum/per-stoltz
https://www.slideshare.net/OECD_ENV/2016-env-ministerial-pia-heidenmark-cook-ikea-circular-economy
