In today’s world, the term “circular economy” has gained significant traction. It’s a concept that challenges the traditional linear economic model of “take, make, dispose”. Instead, it promotes a regenerative approach where resources are kept in use for as long as possible, with maximum value extracted from them, and then regenerated into new products and services. But did you know that nature has been practising a circular economy for billions of years? Let’s explore how nature’s blueprint has inspired human innovation in creating a circular economy.
The traditional linear economy is unsustainable and detrimental to the health of the planet. It relies on finite resources, generates excessive waste, pollutes the environment, and contributes to climate change. Transitioning to a circular economy is essential for mitigating these negative impacts and building a more sustainable future.
What is a Human Circular Economy?
In a human circular economy, waste is minimised, and resources are kept in use for as long as possible through practices like recycling, reuse, and regeneration. For instance, instead of discarding products after use, materials are recycled to create new products, and the cycle continues. This approach not only reduces the strain on natural resources but also minimises environmental pollution and waste.
Why do we need a new model of production and consumption?
Since the first industrial revolution, we’ve had a one-to-one relationship between economic growth and use of natural resources. Today, we use almost twice as much of the earth’s resources than it can regenerate. By 2030, with a projected 8.5 billion people, global demand is expected to increase 35% for food, 40% for water and 50% for energy. Why is this an issue? Unconstrained consumption and production have severe negative implications: air and soil pollution, destruction of ocean life, drastic weather events, food shortages, energy shortages, and more. – World Economic Forum
Reflecting on the 2016 drought in the Lowveld: A stark reminder of nature’s vulnerability and the ripple effects on the food chain. As climate change intensifies, such events are predicted to occur more frequently, underscoring the urgency for sustainable solutions.
Examples of Human Circular Economy Practices
- Recycling: Recycling involves converting waste materials into new products. For example, plastic bottles can be recycled into polyester clothing or even new bottles.
- Upcycling: Upcycling is the process of transforming waste materials or unwanted products into new materials or products of higher quality or value. An example is turning old furniture into trendy, refurbished pieces.
- Product Life Extension: Extending the lifespan of products through repair, maintenance, and refurbishment. This could involve repairing electronics or reconditioning furniture.
- Biomimicry: Designing products and systems that mimic natural processes. For instance, designing buildings to self-cool or self-clean like certain plants or animals.
Recycling: Turning Waste into Opportunity. Embracing recycling helps conserve resources, reduce pollution, and protect our planet for future generations. Every small effort counts towards building a more sustainable future!
Circular Economies in Nature
How can we accelerate the linear to circular transition? The answer is all around us. Nature has been practising circular economy principles long before humans even existed. Here are some fascinating examples:
- Nutrient Cycling: In forests, nutrients are constantly recycled through decomposition and plant nutrient uptake. Fallen leaves and dead organisms decompose, releasing nutrients back into the soil, which are then absorbed by plant roots to grow new vegetation.
- Water Cycle: The water cycle exemplifies nature’s circularity. Water evaporates from oceans and other bodies of water, forms clouds, precipitates as rain or snow onto land, flows into rivers and streams, and eventually returns to the oceans, where the cycle begins anew.
- Ecosystem Services: Ecosystems provide services such as pollination, soil formation, and water purification, all of which contribute to the health and sustainability of the system. These services are continually utilised and regenerated within the ecosystem.
- Biodegradation: Natural materials such as fallen leaves, dead plants, and animal carcasses undergo decomposition by microorganisms, returning nutrients to the soil and completing the nutrient cycle.
Human innovation often draws inspiration from nature’s efficient and sustainable systems. Biomimicry, for example, is a growing field where designers and engineers look to nature for solutions to human challenges. From Velcro inspired by burdock burrs to solar panels modelled after butterfly wings, nature provides a wealth of inspiration for creating more sustainable technologies and systems.
Inspiration from Nature
Nature’s circular economy serves as a remarkable example of sustainability and efficiency. By observing and emulating natural processes, humans can design more sustainable systems and technologies. As we strive to build a more circular economy, we can look to nature as our guide, drawing inspiration from its time-tested strategies for sustainability and regeneration. After all, nature has been perfecting the art of circularity for billions of years – it’s about time we took notes.
Thanks for the interesting article that makes one think about humans’ impact on the environment.
Very interesting Robyn, as I have worked in the animal behaviour range I’m expanding my knowledge by following several courses and this is the ultimate topic of interest, really well synthesised and well written! Excellent I particularly love the fact that technology gets inspirational ideas fom burdock burrs and Butterfly wings
Such an important topic and how to operate recycle and upcycle waste. Nature’s circular economy are sustainability and efficiency. Very interesting Robin and much needed processing ways of reusing of waste. Biodegradable natural elements are usable.
Terrific essay Robyn! I read this while I was waiting for my 13 year old car to be serviced, I guess my attempt to continue product maintenance rather than buying a new car. But on another note, and rather depressing, I watched a report by a recycling engineer this past week who stated that only 10-20% of our recycle waste is actually forwarded from the sorting plant. The rest goes into landfill or horrifically, dumped in the ocean. This is in the US, one of the worst countries for recycling for a positive end. There’s so much more education to be done….
Thank you Robyn for the reminder. We do need the be more circular in our thinking and doing.
Hear hear, and brava Robyn!!!
If only everyone could see the beauty of this logic. Thank you for your article.