PLANT PLANET
Sustainability in the World of Plant
feature
What is a ‘circular economy?’ We’ve all heard the phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle”, but what if I told you there was a fourth word in that sequence? Circular economy promotes a “reduce, reuse, recycle and recover” approach, and this can have a net-positive impact on the environment. As mentioned previously, low-carbon materials and minimising waste through recycling is such a key factor when it comes to the circular economy. And just like it says in the name, the circular economy model is just that… a circle! The model is pretty straight forward: Raw Materials → Sustainable Design → Waste Management/Recycling This cycle comes to a very simple conclusion: less raw material means less waste which results in fewer emissions. So, I suppose I lied earlier in saying that the common “reduce, reuse, recycle” doesn’t actually just have four words, but it could in turn have five: Refuse, Reform, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle . But despite having more steps, that doesn’t mean it’s more complicated or harder work! The circular economy is a way in which we can make production and consumption Production → Distribution → Consumption → Reuse & Repair → Collection → a less hazardous cycle, and more of a beneficial one. It involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling materials that have all been previously used for something else, so long as it is feasible. This approach leads to product longevity, once again showing that the life cycle of products is extended. This reduces waste, which means the management of waste keeps it within the economy, so the product can be used again and again, thereby creating further value. Pretty neat, right? And all of this whilst being more carbon neutral and climate positive? Sign me up! So, why do we need to switch to a circular economy? The short answer is simple: protecting the environment! “Reduce, reuse, recycle” isn’t just a phrase that Bob the Builder used all the time; reusing and recycling the products we use on site can slow down the use of natural resources, which helps preserve precious landscapes and protects habitat from disruption. This, as a result, helps limit biodiversity loss. So, in reality, Bob the Builder is actually a really good role model, not just for construction, but for protecting the planet too!
APRIL // MaY 2025
83
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting