A Crash Course in Circular Economy
‘Join the stuff revolution. Combating the climate emergency with the circular economy.’ [1] - Circular Economy Week
This week, 30th September to 6th of October, is Circular Economy Week!
What is circular economy?
The circular economy aims to keep our things in circulation for as long as possible. Currently, most of the stuff we consume is on a linear economy basis. This is where we buy a product, use it, and then throw it away. Whilst this system is the norm, it is deeply harmful to the planet and creates colossal amounts of pollution and waste. This needs to change!
Why is a circular economy the way forward?
A circular economy is necessary to solve the waste crisis, as our current rate of consumption is deeply unsustainable. The statistics are shocking - the manufacture, consumption, and disposal of products and materials necessary for new goods and food causes 45% of all global CO2e emissions.[2] Therefore, one key driving factor behind Circular Economy Week is the fact that bold shifts to a low carbon, circular economy, will ultimately reduce the amount of waste we produce. This in turn will help solve the waste crisis. [2]
Keeping things in circulation for longer, ie. by fixing or repurposing broken things or using the materials in different ways, means we reduce waste and protect limited natural resources. [2] There are lots of ways you can help advocate for a circular society, from buying second-hand clothes to repairing your old electronics.
However, for tangible, real change, businesses will also need to adopt a circular economy business model. This is not just up to individuals - businesses are critical for driving change!
What is Circular Economy Week?
Circular Economy Week is an annual event hosted by ReLondon with the aim of combatting the climate emergency. [1] The week is action focused, and strives to connect sustainability professionals, champions and activists through an array of exciting events! They also connect government advisors with businesses to discuss how circular economy can prompt a diverse range of positive impacts, from social, economic and environmental perspectives. [3] With the sharing of circular economy success stories and expertise, ReLondon’s event is actively facilitating and paving the way towards a circular society.
The week confronts us with the reality that ultimately, as a society, we are overconsuming. As ReLondon states we need to ‘revolutionise our relationship with stuff’. [4] For our ‘relationship with stuff’ to change, big, bold shifts in our behaviour need to happen. This week is a fantastic opportunity to get involved, whether you are already a circular economy pioneer, or are just learning what the term means!
How are we circular business?
At Team Repair, we are dedicated to fixing the future. One way we achieve this is through our circular business model. Instead of schools and parents buying our repair kits, they are available for rent.
We promote circularity by teaching kids the joy of repair. We send out hands-on repair activities which involve fixing gadgets and toys with inbuilt faults and embedded STEM lessons. In this, we teach students how fun and fulfilling it is to repair broken things instead of throwing them away. Naturally, it was paramount to us that we weren't teaching kids about electronic waste, whilst creating more electronic waste!
Therefore, we rent our products to schools. We send kits out in their broken state, then when the kids have fixed them, they send them back to us, for us to re-break! From there, we refresh and re-break the same kits, then send them off to the next school. This way, lots of students can learn about repair and science, without creating any waste. Keeping resources in circulation for longer is a great way to reduce waste. That’s why we’re proud of our rental model- it keeps negative environmental impact to a minimum. For more on how we are a sustainable business check out our blog.
If you are interested in renting out our kits, click here.
From Bike Repair workshops to Sustainable lectures, head over to the Circular Economy Week events page to find out more!
