What would be the impact of reducing the purchase of new products such as clothes?
Reducing the purchase of new products like clothes can have significant positive impacts. It helps limit individual waste and reduces landfilling while triggering retailers to supply less. Additionally, it lessens our reliance on resources and contributes to a reduction in pollution.
Adopting the "reduce" approach stops new products from entering circulation and prevents waste in the supply chain.
What are some questions we need to ask ourselves in order to adopt a “reduce” mindset?
To adopt a "reduce" mindset, individuals need to ask themselves important questions. They should consider whether they genuinely need a product, assess its sustainability, and think about how often they will use the item.
What are the benefits of adopting a reusing, repairing, repurposing and reselling existing products?
Embracing a "reuse" mindset with existing products offers several benefits. It closes the loop, preventing products from ending up in landfills. It also reduces expenses as reusing, repairing, or repurposing items is often cheaper than buying new ones. Furthermore, it lowers the overall environmental impact.
How can the concept of circularity address waste in businesses?
The application of the circular economy within businesses varies depending on their type and value chain. For instance, supermarkets can address food waste by adjusting apple purchases based on demand, optimising transportation routes, and using suitable packaging to minimise handling waste.
How can the circular economy be applied to businesses such as professional services where products are not produced and sold?
In businesses like professional services where physical products are not produced and sold, circular practices can still be applied. Companies can procure second-hand office furniture, refurbished IT equipment, and direct waste water for flushing. Substituting single-use cups with reusable options, adopting digital service substitutes, and using recycled paper for printing are also effective circular strategies.
What are some ways through which we can rewire our psychology to think more circularly?
- Question whether we genuinely need something and always try and find a more sustainable alternative
- Identify products that are no longer needed and sell them
- Make simple switches for key household items with less environmentally harmful replacements
- Adopt changes such as purchasing more “refill” options to reduce your plastic consumption and separating recycling according to council guidelines
- Support sustainable businesses to push other businesses to adopt the same principles as the norm