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You may wonder what a circular economy is. The circular or closed-loop economy refers to an economy where products are being reused, repaired, refurbished, and recycled, to keep all resources in use for as long as possible. This practice is a great way to reduce carbon emissions and keep the extraction of raw materials to a minimum.
Of course, behind the scene of our economy, it is a lot more complex than that. However, we would like to share with you some simple ways you could start partaking in the circular economy.
Before you participate in this consumer economy and purchase something, simply ask yourself a few questions. How is it made? What is the material? Is it durable? Could you repair it? could you resell or recycle it?
1. Get to Know the Raw Materials
Finding out the raw material of the products could allow you to find out if it is durable. For example, a door handle which is made of aluminum and the other made of solid brass will have different longevity. And, the solid brass handle is going to last for decades, whereas the aluminum one wouldn't.
2. Find Out if It is repairable.
Another important question is if it is repairable. Take two tables as an example. One is made of MDF and the other is made of solid wood. If there is a scratch on a solid wood one, you could easily repair it by filling the hole and painting over it. Whereas the MDF table couldn't achieve repair easily due to the nature of the wood fibers.
3. Check for Its Resale Value.
Lastly, durable products tend to last for decades if not generations, so it has much higher resale value than cheap stuff. For instance, if you no longer fancy the hand-knotted wool rug or hand-carved solid wood table, you could easily sell them for cash. That way, you do not produce any waste while making some extra money.
I hope you now have a better understanding of what a circular economy is and I have inspired you to partake in this sustainable economy. Want more readings on sustainable living, click Maia Homes Blogs.
