assignment

The Circular Economy and Sustainability:

Understanding the Terminology

In 1859, Charles Darwin published a book titled On the Origin of Species. In his book, Darwin put forth a theory that all living organisms compete for resources and that those organisms that develop an innate advantage, and pass this advantage on to their offspring, tend to prosper the most. This, he said, is how species continuously survive and improve.

So far so good, but here’s something you probably didn’t know. In his book, Darwin did not introduce the concept of evolution. The idea that successful organisms continuously evolve over periods of time had been around for decades and was generally accepted by most naturalists (biologists). Darwin’s contribution was to provide the rule or mechanism that explained how the concept of evolution worked. Five years later, another biologist, summarized Darwin’s theory using the words ‘survival of the fittest’, a phrase that Darwin reportedly admired.

In summation: evolution is the concept . The ability to adapt to change and genetically pass the adaptation to others is the mechanism . In other words, the mechanism enables the concept to work.

Likewise, think of the circular economy and sustainability.

The term ‘circular economy’ is a concept used to describe a zero-waste industrial economy that profits from two types of material inputs:

(1) biological materials are those that can be reintroduced back into the biosphere in a restorative manner without harm or waste (i.e: they breakdown naturally), and,

(2) technical materials , which can be continuously re-used without harm or waste.

Sustainability (the capacity to continue into the long-term) is the mechanism that enables the circular economy to work (e.g: the tools, processes, thought-patterns, systems, models, etc… that enable functionality).

The 7-P Application Model

Preparation – accepting the breadth and depth of sustainability and circular economics (particularly the financial implications) and understanding that these concepts are not solely about the environment or being independent. Equally as important is a full recognition of what the reformer is up against when trying to implement profitable, long-term practices (e.g. apathy, ignorance, short-term thinking, and what Machiavelli called ‘the incredulity of mankind, who do not believe in anything new until they have had actual experience of it.’).

Preservation – encompasses two areas: internal (collecting and displaying real-time measurement) and external (keeping ahead of laws, pending legislation, trends and developments).

Processes – sustainable belief systems, tools, communication pathways, philosophies, business models, and thought patterns that help match a business with customer demands, core capabilities and best practices.

People – accepting the importance of training and education and working diligently to avoid the wasting of people, specifically: employees (who seek security and motivation), stakeholders (who want a return on their investment), customers (who want safe, value-laden products), and the world com- munity – including the two-thirds of humanity who are currently left out of the global economic loop (who desire jobs and inclusion) and who represent an economic force all their own.

Place – the buildings and places where work is performed and/or products are sold.

Product – goods and services that are free from unnecessary waste (‘non- product’) and toxins – and designed so that the materials, energy and man- power that comprise them (and their packaging) are treated as investments and continuously reused.

Production – the physical, mechanical, biological, and chemical processes used to transform raw materials into products or services – as well as the transportation of raw materials and finished goods.