06 February CHANGING OUR PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION PATTERNS TO MITIGATE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

Our western economic models are very resource consumers and generators of many waste which results in exceeding the planetary ecological limits. 

In order to respond to this challenge, it has become imperative to review our modes of production, consumption and distribution. 

The circular economy is an economic model that was designed as opposed to the linear economy , promising depletes natural resources and degrades the environment.

The circular economy aims to extract less material upstream, unless throw downstream, transforming waste into resources, and avoid waste all along the value chain.

This concept is based on the principle of 3R : Reduce, Rreuse, Rcycle

- Reduce the use and waste of raw materials during the conception phase
– Reuse the products, give them a second life by repairing them, giving them away, reselling them
- To recycle materials during the end-of-life phase or next use and take into account the waste management.

France is committed to this transition, in particular by anti-waste law for a circular economy of 2020 which aims to:

– Get out of all disposable
– Improve consumer information
– Fight against waste
– Act against planned obsolescence
– Better produce

Focus on the pillars of the circular economy:

- Eco-design, which consists of designing a product while minimizing all environmental impacts, throughout the life cycle.
For example, the supplier Neotrucks  recycles and recovers tractors or road carriers by transforming them into special 100% electric machinery for logistics 

- Collection and recovery of waste. Recycling allows the design of new products from old waste. 

- Industrial ecology which promotes symbiosis between companies in the same territory, with the aim that the waste of some becomes the raw materials of others

- The extension of the duration of use by resorting to second-hand sales, repairs, donations, etc.
Supplier Complementerre 38 registered on Takagreen, for example, offers reconditioned equipment for all stages of waste collection and packaging. 

- The economy of functionality which aims to favor use over purchase

As you will have understood, in the face of dwindling natural resources and the climate emergency, our production and consumption models are showing their limits. 

Many actors are now committed to the circular economy which has many virtues for the planet but also for our economies: positive impact on the environment but also creation of new activities and jobs. To discover them, go to our Takagreen platform in the Circular Economy category. 

If you too want to develop a product around the circular economy but you don't know where to start, many companies offer support packages. Discover them in the Assessment Awareness Study category present on our Takagreen platform.

Resources:

https://altermaker.fr/economie-circulaire/
https://www.eco-conception.fr/static/economie-circulaire.html
https://www.vie-publique.fr/eclairage/272242-de-la-societe-de-consommation-la-deconsommation
https://www.millenaire3.com/dossiers/Economie-circulaire-au-dela-du-recyclage-comment-transformer-l-economie/La-circularite-cet-accelerateur-de-reduction-des-emissions-de-gaz-a-effet-de-serre