circular economy
Closed-loop production model
A circular economy is an economic model designed to minimize waste by keeping materials in use as long as possible—through reuse, repair, refurbishment, and recycling.
It contrasts with the traditional linear economy of make, use, dispose.
The company redesigned its packaging as part of a shift toward a circular economy.
The concept emphasizes that products and materials should cycle back into production rather than ending up in landfills.
Closed-loop production model
- closed-loopSystem with feedback control
- industrial symbiosisBusinesses exchanging waste as resources
- regenerativeAble to renew itself
- systems thinkingAnalyzing interconnected wholes
Reprocessing used materials
- upcyclingImproving discarded materials' value
- downcyclingRecycling that lowers material value
- remanufacturingRestoring products to original specs
- refurbishmentRenewal of worn items
reuse · composting · e-waste · urban mining · sorting · processing · spare parts
Environmentally mindful product creation
- modular designSystem of interchangeable parts
- biomimicryDesign imitating natural systems
- sustainable materialsResources with minimal environmental impact
- durabilityResistance to wear
repairability · upgradability · lightweighting · biodegradable materials
Eliminating discarded materials entirely
- waste preventionMinimizing material discard
- precyclingPreventing waste before purchase
- waste-to-energyGenerating power from garbage
- organic wasteDecomposable natural refuse
food waste reduction · bulk shopping · biodegradable packaging · compostable materials
Capacity to endure indefinitely
- carbon footprint reductionLessening emissions from activities
- resource depletionExhausting available materials gradually
- climate mitigationReducing global warming's drivers
- ecosystem restorationReviving degraded natural areas
pollution prevention · renewable resources · planetary boundaries
cradle-to-cradle
Closed-loop production model
- closed-loopSystem with feedback control
- industrial symbiosisBusinesses exchanging waste as resources
- regenerativeAble to renew itself
recycling
Reprocessing used materials
- upcyclingImproving discarded materials' value
- downcyclingRecycling that lowers material value
- remanufacturingRestoring products to original specs
refurbishment · reuse · composting · e-waste · urban mining · sorting · processing · spare parts
ecodesign
Environmentally mindful product creation
- modular designSystem of interchangeable parts
- biomimicryDesign imitating natural systems
- sustainable materialsResources with minimal environmental impact
durability · repairability · upgradability · lightweighting · biodegradable materials
zero waste
Eliminating discarded materials entirely
- waste preventionMinimizing material discard
- precyclingPreventing waste before purchase
- waste-to-energyGenerating power from garbage
organic waste · food waste reduction · bulk shopping · biodegradable packaging · compostable materials
sustainability
Capacity to endure indefinitely
- carbon footprint reductionLessening emissions from activities
- resource depletionExhausting available materials gradually
- climate mitigationReducing global warming's drivers
ecosystem restoration · pollution prevention · renewable resources · planetary boundaries
- eco-friendlysustainable, fair trade, green, biodegradable, recyclable
- ecologyhabitat, ecosystem, balance, niche, food webs
- environmentalismecology, conservationism, recycling bins, campaigner, environmentalism
- waste managementwaste, trash, garbage, rubbish, refuse
- green practicesrecycling, recycled paper, reusable bags, solar panels, solar power
- sustainable livingrecycling, composting, solar power, wind power, renewable
circular economyresource depletion
Exhausting available materials gradually
circular economythrowaway culture
Norm of discarding over repairing
consumerism · disposability · fast fashion · built-in obsolescence · hyperconsumption
circle, economy, circuit, circular, circulate, encircle, circulation, circling, circulating