Last edited 23 Feb 2025

Circular economy index

A circular economy is based on the principles of designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. (ref Ellen MacArthur Foundation). This is in contrast to the traditional 'linear' model which is based on the concept of 'make, break, and discard' or 'take, make waste'.

The circular economy is a concept in which everything is engineered to be constantly reused or recycled. It requires rethinking of design, manufacturing, selling, re-using, recycling and consumer ownership to keep resources in use for as long as possible and to extract maximum value.

'Business as usual' sees contractors and the supply chain following the waste hierarchy; reduce, reuse and recycle, to a greater or lesser extent. But the concept of the circular economy goes beyond the 3 R's and aims to maximise total material resource efficiency.

Below is a list of some of the many circular economy related articles:

Designing Buildings Anywhere

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