Circulate products and materials res-md.xsd (Version 3)

Website: Informational

Circulate products and materials

Published by:

Ellen Macarthur Foundation

Information site explaining the second principle of the circular economy: to circulate products and materials at their highest value. This means keeping materials in use, either as a product or, when that can no longer be used, as components or raw materials. This way, nothing becomes waste and the intrinsic value of products and materials are retained. There are a number of ways products and materials can be kept in circulation and it is helpful to think about two fundamental cycles – the technical cycle and the biological cycle. In the technical cycle, products are reused, repaired, remanufactured, and recycled. In the biological cycle, biodegradable materials are returned to the earth through processes like composting and anaerobic digestion.

Keywords:
circular economycircular products and materialstechnical cyclebiological cyclecompostable packagingdesigning for circulationcompanies designing for circulationanaerobic digestionintrinsic valuecompostingbusiness modelsrenewable materials
Primary Audience:
practitionerspolicy makersgeneral public
Relates to these product classes:
  • durable plastics
  • electronics
  • packaging
  • textiles
  • Lifecycle phase involved:
  • end-of-life management
  • recycling
  • repair and refurbishment
  • use and reuse