07
Designing Out Waste
The circular economy is a regenerative economic model that aims to eliminate waste and keep resources in use for as long as possible. This module explores the principles of circular economy, its business opportunities, and practical strategies for implementing circular approaches in your venture.
Understanding the shift from take-make-dispose to circular models
Linear Economy (Take → Make → Dispose)
Resources are extracted, used once, and discarded — creating waste and depleting natural resources
Circular Economy (Reduce → Reuse → Recycle → Regenerate)
Products and materials are kept in use as long as possible, then regenerated — minimizing waste and environmental impact
Three Core Principles:
The circular economy is based on three principles: design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate natural systems. Unlike the traditional linear economy (take-make-dispose), the circular economy creates closed loops where waste from one process becomes input for another. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation has been instrumental in popularizing and developing the circular economy framework globally.
Key Points
Worksheets and templates to practice what you've learned
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