Circular Economy

What is a Circular Economy? 

In a circular economy we reduce the amount of natural resources needed for the manufacture of new products by extending the life of the products we use and preventing them from ending up in landfill, thereby reducing waste and costs.

This is achieved by using the principles of remanufacture, reuse, repair, and recycle. 

Remanufacture – A process which is applied to a product that is worn or has broken parts, rendering it non-functional. The product is rebuilt and recovered to an ‘as new’ or better standard than the original product.

Reuse – Taking an old product and finding a new use for it.

Repair – Replacing broken or damaged parts to enable a product to be used again.

Recycle – A process of collecting and processing materials to turn them into new products.

The Waste Hierarchy

The Waste hierarchy shown on the right of this page assists us in determining the best waste management options in terms of environmental impact. The options which are best for the environment are nearest the top of the hierarchy.

Please visit the links below to learn more about a circular economy and find available resources:- 

What is a circular economy? | Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Defra guidance on applying the waste hierarchy https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69403/pb13530-waste-hierarchy-guidance.pdf

https://wrap.org.uk/taking-action/climate-change/circular-economy 

Learn about circular procurement in your organisation Circular Procurement | CIPS 

Tools for businesses, including a circular business design guide, circular economy procurement framework, and Circulytics, a circularity measurement tool Business and the circular economy (ellenmacarthurfoundation.org) 

Circular Design Toolkit for Businesses Tools - Ecodesign Toolkit (circulardesign.tools)