13: The Circular Economy

The Jevons Paradox

increased efficiency does not decrease the use of fuel (extraction/the use natural resources)

Does efficiency make us focus on the quantitative or the qualitative?

quantitative

Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste 2018

- Canada's territorial, provincial, and federal governments agreed

- "facilitate the transition to a circular economy by 2030"

What is the linear model of the global economy (linear economy)?

take>>make>>use>>waste

What does the linear economy do to sustain growth?

expands the extraction of scarce resources, and produces negative externalities

How does the circular economy close the extractive loop?

use{}reuse

what is the new raw material in a circular economy?

waste

2 types of materials in a circular economy

biological materials and technical materials

Technical cycle/materials

extracted materials that don't biodegrade, e.g. plastics; can be recycled, repurposed or reused

Biological cycle/materials

biodegradable materials, e.g. cotton; will return to the soil

Key difference between the technical and biological cycles

technical: reused

biological: able to decay

Biggest problem with the linear economy

mixing/combining technical and biological materials