We as humans are incredible in creating and inventing things. We are seriously skilled and talented and we continue to becoming better. As we do so, there is an opportunity to redesign and rethink on how we create things. Can we design products that is made and can be made again? And can we power the whole system with renewable energy? Can our innovation and creativity build an economy that can restore and regenerate? The answer is Circular Economy. This replaces the traditional linear model in which we dig stuff out of the ground, turn it into something, consume it and then put it back to the ground as trash. There are many issues that we should address to have a more sustainable future. Each of us have the potential to help achieve this. Here are a few things we can do to practice circular economy to achieve a sustainable future.
- Fashion. A common trend is to keep clothing for a shorter period and wear it a few times before it’s considered old. But a growing interest in sustainable clothing is to repair, resell and remodel clothing while still giving the desired uniqueness. Because of online retailers and resellers, it’s likely that there will be an increase in people purchasing second hand clothing in the next 10 years. We are in track to have second hand clothes make up a third of our closet by the year 2033.
- There are companies that are embracing this circular economy. Many use recycled materials by upcycling old products such as old tires and plastics.
- Somethings are just too good to waste. Just like food. Many recycled old foods to food for pets.