We keep hearing about the “Circular Economy,” but do we really understand what it’s all about? Is it just about big industries and manufacturers adopting sustainable practices, or is it more about us as consumers sticking to the 3 Rs—reduce, reuse, recycle? Actually, it’s both, but also more than that! Keep reading, as I will give you my best shot at explaining what the circular economy means and why we must understand it to act on it. 

What is the Circular Economy?”

For ages, humans have been following a linear way of consuming: we take natural resources, make stuff, use it, and then toss it. The Circular Economy changes this narrative by aiming for a looped system where nothing truly goes to waste. Think of it like nature’s cycle: when a tree falls in the forest, it decomposes and gives nutrients back to the soil. The Circular Economy is designed around this same idea: using resources wisely so they can feed back into the system instead of ending up as waste. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation outlines the circular economy with three core principles: 

  1. Cut down on waste and pollution as much as possible. 
  1. Make things last longer through repair, reuse, or redesign. 
  1. Support nature’s renewal through all stages of production and disposal. 

These principles can be applied to all industries, individual consumers, and at every point in the product’s life cycle. 

And here’s the kicker: the Circular Economy is a new economic and business model set to shake up our current economic system. Through environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations, it encourages financial investments that favour long-term sustainability. This means putting money into businesses and projects that are built to last and support a circular, more resilient economy. This is what it’s referred to as sustainable finance. 

Figure 1: Comparison of linear, recycling and circular economy. 

Applications of the circular economy across industries 

Let’s take critical industries for our social development like food, mobility and raw material as examples to show how they can support sustainability, economic growth, and social benefits while lowering climate impact: 

  1. Food: Respectful agricultural practices, like crop rotation and no-till farming, naturally improve soil health and sequester carbon, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and emissions. Emphasizing seasonal foods also minimizes storage and transport energy, benefiting local farmers and reducing environmental impact. 
  1. Mobility: Circular mobility models encourage shared and modular transport, like car-sharing and bike rentals, reducing reliance on private vehicles and raw materials. Vehicles designed for easy repair and recycling extend lifespans, cutting emissions and providing accessible, sustainable transport options. 
  1. Raw Materials: Closed-loop systems recycle resources such as metals, reducing the need for new mining. For example, recycling aluminium lowers environmental impact and supports jobs in recycling while stabilizing resource costs and reducing industry carbon footprints. 

The EIT Campus is a valuable resource for building the knowledge and skills required to implement these circular practices. Offering a broad range of courses in the circular economy, EIT Campus empowers learners and communities to adopt sustainable innovations and cascade this knowledge across industries. 

The principles of circularity can also be adopted at a smaller scale in community-driven initiatives. Repair Cafés and Communal Edible Gardens are great examples that benefit the community directly by embracing circular economy principles.  

In Repair Cafés, locals get together to fix broken items, extending their lifespan and reducing waste. Meanwhile, communal edible gardens allow residents to grow fruits and vegetables, promoting local food production and waste reduction through composting. These initiatives strengthen community connections, enhance sustainability practices, and empower individuals to actively create a more resilient environment. 

Figure 2: Community gardens and repair cafés. 

Why is it crucial for professionals and future professionals (students) to acquire and expand circular economy skills?  

So, we’ve heard enough of the definition and applications. So, why do professionals and students need to acquire and expand their circular economy skills? Ah, thanks for asking!  

Figure 3: Circular learning skills applied to the European Green Deal. 

The circular economy is crucial for the development of society, bringing big benefits to social progress and nature while tackling important issues like environmental (in)justice. Moreover, the circular economy is key to hitting those ambitious international goals, like the Paris Agreement, the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, and the European Green Deal. Students and professionals must learn and expand on circular economy skills, as the job market calls for sustainability knowledge. Understanding circular economy principles boosts innovative projects that tackle environmental issues with social responsibility and encourage fair practices, opening doors to entrepreneurship and fresh business ideas. Initiatives like Girls Go Circular highlight the importance of gender equality in this space since diverse perspectives lead to better decision-making, and students learn interactively concrete manners of changing their lifestyles to support circularity.   

Circular economy skills will empower leaders of tomorrow to make a real impact by creating a sustainable and resilient future, ultimately improving our relationship with the economy, society, and the natural environment. 

In summary, the circular economy extends beyond waste reduction by creating a model where product longevity and minimal waste drive economic growth with environmental responsibility. This approach in many sectors promotes sustainable lifestyles and strengthens communities through initiatives like repair cafés and shared gardens, all supporting global sustainability goals such as the SDGs and European Green Deal. 

Next on the EIT Campus Blog: Explore career trends in the circular economy, including emerging roles, essential skills, and upskilling opportunities as industries embrace circular models. 

Why Join EIT Campus? To drive change, professionals need easy access to cutting-edge education on these topics. The EIT Campus offer diverse, bite-sized courses in circular economy and other critical areas to help you contribute meaningfully to a sustainable future. 

Join the EIT Campus community for free to collaborate, share knowledge, and support innovation! 

References:

  1. UNEP – Circularity. Accessed October 30, 2024. https://www.unep.org/circularity. Last accessed 30.10.2024.  
  1. UNEP – Circular Economy. Accessed October 30, 2024. https://www.unepfi.org/pollution-and-circular-economy/circular-economy/.  
  1. United Nations  – New Economics for a Sustainable Development, “Circular Economy.” Accessed October 30, 2024. https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/circular_economy_14_march.pdf 
  1. UNECE – Trade.“Circular Economy.” Accessed October 30, 2024. https://unece.org/trade/CircularEconomy 
  1. European Comission – Energy, Climate Change, Environment. “Circular Economy.” Accessed October 30, 2024. https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/circular-economy_en