The concept of an economy that not only reduces, but entirely minimizes waste is presented in the article discussing the concept, circular economy. The idea of a circular economy is now acknowledged globally and is our most promising solution to our planet’s sustainability issues.

The idea of a circular economy first came from a linear economy. The linear economy was a great idea, but it had much room for improvement. The linear economy’s main goal was to minimize waste, where they did accomplish that, but they were missing the part where materials get recycled back into the process. there was a clear beginning and a clear ending, so much was being wasted. There needed to be another solution to a sustainable lifestyle that reduced waste and even reused it. This is where the idea of a circular economy was born.

The idea of a circular economy is a bigger idea than just simply reduce- reuse- recycle. A circular economy works differently. It closes the loop and moves away from the idea “take- make- consume- throw away.” Waste is reduced to a minimum with this idea because everything produced is transferred and used somewhere else continuously. Different than a linear economy, waste in a circular economy is almost diminished entirely, not just reduced.

“Recycling alone will not save us,” – Andrew Morlet

A circular economy works in three steps: 1. It designs out waste. 2. It keeps products and materials in use. 3. It regenerates living systems.

A circular economy was not created by one person, but my groups and many people over the years and being redefined each time to make for the most beneficial process. Some people and/ or groups that have helped define a circular economy are the following: Walter Stahel and Genevieve Reday – “The Potential for Sustaining Manpower for Energy”, Janing Benyus – “Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature”, Paul Hawken, Amory Lovins and L. Hunter Lovins – “Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution, Kenneth Boulding – “The Economics of Coming Spaceship Earth”, Gunter Paul – “The Blue Economy”. These groups of people worked together to define what a circular economy is known to be today. Each person and/ or group was changed or effected this idea to make it the most sustainable as possible.

“Nothing is lost, everything is transformed,” This is the motto of a circular economy. It explains how circular economy is not aimed to end growth, rather to bend industry back into harmony with nature so we can continue to prosper.