A circular economy is a modern approach to sustainability issues as it focuses on the return of putting materials into the environment. The tagline of reduce-reuse-recycle is now recognized as outdated as our government has realized there is much more we need to focus on when using our resources. A linear economy is a straight-line supply chain consisting of limited and the same points each time. However, a circular economy is completely different as it refrains from using and throwing away materials immediately. It focuses on using and utilizing products as long as possible in order to get the most use out of them to help reduce waste in the environment. A circular economy is made up of a design that targets the reduction of greenhouse gasses, pollution, and traffic congestion. The circular economy also keeps products and materials in use for as long as possible, meaning it favors many different uses for materials rather than a product that is designed for just one use and then discarded. Another benefit of a circular economy is that it regenerates living systems, meaning it avoids using fossil fuels and other non-renewable resources to return valuable nutrients to the soil and actively improves the environment for recirculation. A simple slogan adopted for a circular economy by chemist Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier states, “nothing is lost, everything is transformed”. This slogan means that, unlike a linear system where reusal and degeneration are not a priority, a closed-loop system focuses on bending an industry back into harmony with nature to restore its ability to prosper and grow. Essentially, a circular economy can mimic the lifestyle of Earth, which also exists in a circular, life-cycle motion.

A linear system works in a way where the producer creates and distributes a product to the consumer, and then after the consumer uses the product in its entirety (usually one and done), the product is sent to landfills, where it will be broken down after thousands of years. This system emits a great amount of greenhouse gasses and pollution into the environment as large amounts of energy from the planet are required to break down these products. A circular economy has a much more sustainable approach, where the raw materials used to create a product are no longer virgin, and they are captured and recaptured for further reuse, repair, disassembly, and remanufacturing to create additional and improved products.

As we can see, a circular economy aims to limit the amount of waste we produce when we use our products and target the reduction of pollutants and greenhouse gasses in the environment. A circular economy is what will help give our planet the longevity we strive for when working with the supply chain.

I found listening to the speakers at the embassy and the ACG office of sustainability very interesting. All the speakers gave great advice for entering the real world after college and were insightful in how to become a diplomat. I enjoyed how the diplomat was relatable about her journey of achieving the position she has now. Considering I still do not know exactly what I want to do yet, it was relieving to hear that she dealt with the same feelings when she was my age. As I enter my junior year of college, I feel I need to start getting ahead on my plans for after college. This has been stressing me out a lot lately but after hearing her presentation I feel like I can slow down because I have time.  When we asked her for advice on entering the business world after college she replied with just to never stop giving up on yourself and work hard. This seemed like a basic and cliche answer. However when she gave examples of how this advice applied to her work life, I truly believed her. In addition, she mentioned that when it comes to getting a job, it’s all about who you know. She discussed how she used to message everyone and anyone she knew to help get herself an internship. The speaker explained that when reaching out to people she was interested in working for, she would find one thing she had in common with them. Once she found one thing, even if it was something really random she would open with that in her message. I felt this technique seemed a little strange, but when she explained how it really worked multiple times I was shocked. I think when it comes time for me to get an internship/job I will try this out for myself. I am glad I got to learn more about her job as I was not very familiar with her duties before. It seemed like there were multiple benefits that came with her job. I think if I ever wanted to work abroad I would consider doing something similar.