SB&Q Chapter 9

What are the 5 main reasons supporting the need for a circular economy?

1. Finite resources and increasing scarcity of non-renewables

2. Increasing stress on renewables

3. Transgression of key planetary boundaries

4. The linear model generates massive waste

5. Resource pressure increases household pressure

What is meant by 'finite resources' in the context of the circular economy?

Resources that are non-renewable and cannot be replenished within a person’s lifetime, such as gas, coal, and minerals.

What are renewable resources?

Resources that can be replenished within a person’s lifetime, such as wind, water, and animals.

How much has the demand for non-renewables increased over the last 70 years?

By 450%.

What are some consequences of stressing renewable resources?

Diminishing fresh water, stress on food production, and overfishing.

What does the linear model of production lead to?

Massive waste due to convenience, mass consumption, and short product lifespans.

How does resource scarcity affect households?

Leads to rising prices, decreased buying power, and increased inequality.

What is the definition of a circular economy?

A circular economy aims to redefine growth, focusing on society-wide benefits by decoupling economic activity from finite resource consumption and designing waste out of the system.

What are the 3 principles of a circular economy?

1. Design out waste and pollution

2. Keep products and materials in use

3. Regenerate natural systems

What is the difference between linear and circular business models?

Linear models focus on sales and waste separation; circular models maintain product lifecycle, reuse materials, and require producer responsibility.

What are characteristics of a linear economy?

Maximizes sales, minimal customer interaction, separation of production and waste management.

What are characteristics of a circular economy?

Resources stay in the cycle, producers maintain products, more customer interaction, business model focuses on maintenance.

What does 'cradle to grave' mean?

A linear model where goods are produced, used, and discarded with no attention to end-of-life impacts.

What does 'cradle to cradle' mean?

A circular model using biological and technical materials designed to re-enter the production-consumption cycle with minimal value loss.

What are the 7 principles of a circular economy?

1. Materials cycle

2. Renewable energy

3. Water management

4. Biodiversity

5. Social value

6. Health

7. Shared value creation

What is the difference between linear and circular thinking in production?

Linear thinking emphasizes efficiency and high output, while circular thinking focuses on product longevity and resource recovery.

How does a circular economy improve resource efficiency?

It leads to cost savings by reusing resources, though it requires high initial investment.

Where is true value created in a circular economy?

On the demand side, through social/ecological value and stronger customer relationships.

Why is sustainability no longer a trade-off in a circular economy?

Products are of high quality and last longer, so higher prices become long-term investments.

How does digitalization support circular economy?

By helping companies transition faster through improved tracking and optimization.

What are the 5 certification categories in circular frameworks?

1. Material health

2. Product circularity

3. Clean air and climate protection

4. Water and soil stewardship

5. Social fairness

What is BREEAM?

A Dutch Green Building Council standard for certifying circular buildings.

What is the circular potential of biowaste?

Using biowaste as a resource for creating value, e.g., via Renescience technologies.

What is data-driven circularity?

Using data to improve circular strategies, exemplified by Maersk.

What is a circular packaging strategy example?

Ellen McArthur Foundation’s initiatives for reducing packaging waste.

What are the 5 business models for a circular economy?

1. Circular supply chain

2. Recovery and recycling

3. Product life-extension

4. Sharing platform

5. Product as a service

4. Sharing platform

5. Product as a service

What is a circular supply chain model?

Circular practices integrated throughout the entire supply chain.

What is recovery and recycling in a circular economy?

Reusing or transforming end-of-life products into new products.

What is product life-extension?

Extending product lifespan via repair, upgrades, refills, and durability.

What is the sharing platform business model?

Providing shared access to products or services, often motivated by revenue generation.

What is 'product as a service' in circular economy?

A model where consumers pay for use, including leasing, renting, or performance-based agreements.