Foundational Concepts
Learn more on foundational concepts.
Setting Realistic Circular Economy Goals: A 30-60-90 Day Action Plan
The circular economy is not a light switch; it’s a systematic, years-long transition that requires a robust strategy. Most people and businesses fail when trying to “go circular” because they leap straight to the last step—recycling—or set vague, overwhelming sustainability planning goals like “becoming zero-waste.” This all-or-nothing approach leads to burnout and failure. To succeed, […]
Material Flows: Tracking Resources Through Your Home and Business
If the world’s resources were a national budget, we would be operating without an accountant, spending recklessly without knowing where the money is coming from or going. The harsh reality is that the global economy, which consumes over 100 billion tonnes of material annually, has historically treated resources with shocking disregard. We know how much […]
Understanding Product Life Cycles: Cradle-to-Cradle vs Cradle-to-Grave
When you buy a new product, you are actually investing in its entire future, yet most people only consider the item’s purchase price and immediate use. The hidden costs—environmental cleanup, landfill overflow, and raw material depletion—are determined by a secret corporate philosophy known as the “product life cycle.” For decades, the dominant philosophy has been […]
Calculating Your Household Circular Economy Score: A Self-Assessment Guide
How sustainable are you, really? Most people believe they are doing a great job because they put their paper and plastic in the recycling bin. But the circular economy assessment reveals that recycling is the bare minimum—the last step in a long chain of responsibilities. To achieve true sustainability, you need to measure your performance […]
Linear vs Circular Economy: Why the Take-Make-Dispose Model is Failing
In the last century, global resource extraction quadrupled, and as of today, we only reuse or recycle roughly 8.6% of the resources that flow through the global economy. This stunning figure reveals the truth: our entire global system is still overwhelmingly reliant on a flawed, finite economic model. If you operate a business, manage a […]