Search for economy

 

However the circular economy approach is different and involves changing the linear approach by closing the loop. This involves 

designing out waste at the beginning designing and 

manufacturing products so they can be maintained over their lifetime 

designing for deconstruction 

recycling end of life products back into new products and materials and maintaining the value of the materials in the product cycle to refurbishment reuse and recycling and avoiding landfill. 

This has high level benefits on the environment including 

reducing the need to extract raw virgin materials 

reducing greenhouse gas emissions and 

reducing waste and pollution. 

It also has other business benefits including 

Stream lining manufacturing processes 

saving costs such as production costs and landfill tax 

improving customer interaction and loyalty 

improving local economy resilience,

 ensuring a more secure source of supply for raw materials and helping to meet present and future regulations all of which improve long-term business sustainability.

 Ultimately it is about making the use of products and materials more efficient reducing waste and ensuring longevity so that we can continue to manufacture the products we used today for tomorrow in a sustainable way. 

Circular economy has three key principles : Eliminating waste and pollution 

Keeping products andMaterials in use

Regenerating natural systems, this relates to returning nutrients back to the soil and other systems

Take a look at this video from the foundation completing the picture climate change largely by switching to renewable energy we’re replacing fossil fuels with wind and solar power at speed all over the world but the truth is that the energy transition will only solve half the climate problem is like we’ve been reading only half the book like we’ve been watching only half the movie so what completes the picture transforming how industry uses materials and how we manage land that is transitioning circular economy it’s more than energy. It’s about transformation what does that mean? It means we address things before they become a problem and design out of missions before production even begins. We build an economy that’s eliminates waste and pollution. Keeps products and materials in use and regenerates natural systems the circular economy can help address climate change by reducing emissions from industry land use and agriculture so how do we make this transition by businesses? Embedding the circular economy in their climate strategies and redesigning products and services by government setting enabling policies and putting the necessary infrastructure in place investors mobilising capital towards circular economy solutions economy a role in solving many of the problems around climate change but what it does is it builds a more resilient for a complete picture of a thriving emissions? Economy is coming into focus the mission now is to make it a reality..

To really understand why the circular economy is an issue in the built environment we first need to have a think about the resources we use resources can be divided into two general categories. Those that are renewable. These are self sustaining like the wind sunlight and plant materials such as wood and those that are finite that have a limited stock like oil quarry stone or metals however there are a few points which are worth thinking about for example timber is usually considered a renewable resource if trees are replanted to compensate with those harvested during timber production but if timber is sourced from a forest where we planting does not take place then it could be considered a finite resource at stocks will be used up equally a steel beam is manufactured from iron or a finite resource but the beam itself can be reused in new construction with the right planning in place. Steal itself can also be melted down and recycled into new product indefinitely.

Hopefully you will have a better understanding of what is meant by materials and resources please now click on some of the materials in the house on your screen to find out about 

some of the resources we use in the built environment industry 

solar panel like many electronics solar panels rely on several unusual materials for their manufacture and some of the most significant are rare earth metals rare earth metals are not in fact always rare but extracting the metal from it all can be a costly and environmentally hazardous process making them a finite resource. Solar panels themselves can be recycled meaning that the metals in them can be extracted and reused in panels again however the recycling of solar panels is a process which must be done by a specialist contractor. 

Timber beam this timber beam has been grown and harvested in accordance with a chain of custody standard for example FSC Pefc or grown in Britain meaning that it is from a sustainably managed forest as a result it can be considered a renewable resource

Copper pipe. copper is produced from copper ore, a finite resource. typically copper ore only contain  about 0.6% copper metal which results in significant damage to the environment through mines like Bingham canyon in the USA the largest man-made excavation in the world scrap copper can be easily recycled

Plastic gutter. plastic is made from crude oil a finite resource. however many plastics can be recycled when the appropriate systems are in place and new bio plastics are also currently being developed which could prove more sustainable in the future and could provide a viable future source of alternative materials

Concrete block. concrete blocks are made from cement and aggregate. These materials are currently plentiful but they require significant amounts of finite fossil fuels such as coal or natural gas and this results in significant carbon emissions which contribute to climate change. in fact the carbon emissions from the production of one tonne of concrete equal approximately 70 miles driven by an HGV.

Jerrycan diesel. diesel is typically produced from crude oil a finite resource. There is only a finite amount of crude oil left on earth. Also once diesel is burned in an engine it’s gone leaving only greenhouse gas emissions and some other pollutants in its place.

So the circular economy isn’t a particularly new idea, even in construction Construction just think about timbers in Tudor buildings out the high value of Victorian London stock brakes in salvage yards handling many Victorian builders use lime mortar which enables easier to assembly and salvage of the bricks themselves but on this shortly.fundamentally the c e The Is about maintaining the highest value for as long as possible in the resources we used through intelligent design maintenance we use and refurbishment before they need to be recycled or recovered in doing so we are reducing our burden of the environment economy as possible value you may see this image circulate economy. The smallest is the most favourable option. There was a biological side and a technical side and you can see that maintenance is a smaller loop and therefore should be achieve preferentially over recycling, which is the largest loop.

Economy production cycle the stages required to manufacture a product production is the stage in which role materials are turned into useful products for example turning timber into planks or plywood installation is the stage in which the product is fitted in place by an operative installed product is when the product has been installed and is ready for use disassembly deconstruction is an essential stage in the circular economy model as it allows the separation of serviceable components from a product for refurbishment or re manufacture with any remaining materials recycled critically products from individual carpet tiles to entire building buildings should be designed to allow easy disassembly without impacting on performance in use as mentioned earlier although they weren’t thinking about this at the time Victorian builders use of line means the London stocks they used can be easily salvaged and used again refurbished remanufacture is a stage where used product or refurbished or taken apart and remanufactured back into new products for installation. This process is likely to bypass or required significantly fewer inputs of new materials raw material materials are simply the resources needed needed to manufacture a product role material materials can either be virgin for example example not used in manufactured before or recycled which means there derived from previously used products to use the stage where any leak leakage from the cycle is sent for recycling into another useful product leakage from the cycle should be minimised with disposal to landfill avoided and in consideration specifically as part of the energy generation process limited only to renewable resource resources

In use cycle, the stages required when a product is in use

Maintain and repair repair is when the product is serviced to ensure consistent levels of performance if repair repair is needed then components may be replaced and worn out. Items returned to the production cycle while I disassembled and refurbished or re manufactured back into Service for components suitable for installation again for example example the cassette boiler is a product which is designed in such a way that of a problem is identified and the boiler cassette can be quickly and easily removed and replaced another identical unit unit. The defective cassette is returned to the factory repaired to a new specification and then sent out again. . The defective cassette is returned to the factory repaired to an as new specification and then sent out again customers could pay for the heat as a service meaning that replacement of the boiler is done as part of the Service agreement agreement use is the product being used either through purchasing or leasing and providing a service to the client business model. This is a critical stage in the search economy model and offer significant opportunities for innovation a circular economy could involve the manufacturer and consumer agreeing a long-term lease for the product with it being returned at the end of it Service life or it could involve a provision of Service instead instead of a product product. A maintenance schedule could then be agreed, and once the product is deemed to have reached the end of it Service life it can be replaced in these models the manufacturer maintains ownership of the war materials end of life product are taken back and used to manufacture the next generation of products either through refurbishment or complete re-manufacture or recycling.

When when when thinking thinking about the Service life of the built environment and the products used in construction maintenance and upkeep it’s fair to see that it’s easier to apply circular economy business model to items with a shorter service life like carpet interior fittings and mechanical and electrical components in these cases is much easier to set up things like takeback schemes and Service agreements so manufacturers can retain ownership of items. However this does not mean we should ignore long life products at these can also be designed for deconstruction and reuse what is important is that we optimise the Service life of the given product or component relevant to the situation it is going to be used in for example example it’s no use designing a carpet tile used in an office to last 50 years as if there’s likely to go out of fashion within five or 10 years however a facing brick in our house should be designed to last the life of the structure. 

There are specific standards, policy strategies associated with the circular economy. 

Standards:

BS 8001 is a practical framework published by BSI to help organisations to implementThe principles of the circular economy

Policies and strategies

Although the UK has left the eu there is a shared commitment to circular economy through the economy package which provides a legislative framework for circular economy. This also links more widely with England’s resources and waste strategy which is part of the government 25 year environment plan for England the environment act 2021 with the government 25 year plan to ensure the commitment in the resources strategy are delivered the act contains provision 

waste reduction 

recycling and waste reduction as well as 

power to introduce extended produce responsibility scheme and deposit return schemes 

with the Welsh government strategy beyond recycling and separated waste collection for workplace legislation. Meanwhile the Scottish government circular economy strategy making things last and Scotland economy attempts to tackle waste increase reuse and recycling of waste in introduce measures to help develop a circular economy. Northern island is currently drafting its own environmental strategy setting out the countries environmental priorities for the coming decades

The three principles of the circular economy in more detail

1. Designing out waist and and and pollution. this is about designing for reduced waste, designing products for reuse and refurbishment, and changing our mindset from thinking that was inevitable to thinking about how we can create no waste and keep products at their highest value for the longest time

Economy and away from the linear mindset of take make dispose the ISO 2400 standard for sustainable procurement can help organisations to integrate sustainability into their procurement processes design designing and procuring with the circular economy in mind can have many benefits click on the issues to learn learn about how they can be improved

Consumption supply materials improve design can help by designing products to be maintained design design designing for fewer material materials to be used and design designing buildings for deconstruction and we use refit and repurposing. The Queen Elizabeth Park in London was built using deconstruction principles including using supply takeback schemes across laminated timber and pallets. 

Pro product with recycled content and procuring reusable refurbished and remanufactured products. Additional benefits include less energy is used in maintenance and repair rather than production from raw materials reputation maintained indefinitely.Products having a lifespan improved design can help by making product products easier to repair repair and upgrade. This can include provision of spare parts and capacity to upgrade with new components that allow allow for ease and speed of use and designing for refurbishment so that the product can be cleaned up adjusted and made as good as you for another lease of life improve procurement can help help by purchasing products that can be repairable and reusable additional benefits include include sourcing materials which are recycled for end of life can be more economical. 

The plastic packaging tax as of April 2022 any plastic packaging manufactured or imported into the UK? That does not contain at least 30% recycled plastic attractive new tax of £217.85 per ton improved design can help help by designing for products to be transported and used without without plastic plastic packaging where possible improve procurement can help help by procuring products without packaging where possible where this is not possible seek supplies that can provide circular approaches to packaging including collection and reuse or recycling and ensure that all plastic packaging meets the requirements. Additional benefits include include helping to reduce waste and landfill cost along with the administrative burden created by conducting due diligence against the reporting requirements for the tax for all the plastic packaging tax watch this webinar that explores what it could mean for your organ .

Costs of materials fruit design can help by designing in longer lasting materials that can be reused although the initial cost may be higher it will lead to the product staying in use longer improved procurement can help by focusing on whole life cost rather than only production costs therefore also accounting for disposal costs additional benefits include focusing on the whole life cost rather than just the purchasing cost provide a more accurate costing of the true value of the product from its production to its disposal.

The first principal in the circular economy model is designing out waste and pollution. This is about designing for no or reduced waste designing products for reuse and refurbishment and changing our mindset from thinking that was inevitable to thinking about how we can create no waste and keep products at the highest value for the longest time procurement also goes hand-in-hand with design procuring sustainably with the principles of circular economy in mind can also help help to shift towards a circular economy and away from the linear mindset of dispose the ISO 2400 standard for sustainable procurement can help organisations to integrate sustainability into their procurement processes designing and procuring with the circular economy in mind can have many benefits on the issues to learn about how they can be improved through circular economy principles.

The consumption supply of raw materials improved design can help help by designing products to be maintained design designing for fewer materials to be used and designing buildings for deconstruction and reuse refit and repurposing. The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London was built using deconstruction principles including using supply takeback schemes across laminated timber and pallets improve procurement can help help by procuring products with reused or recycled content and procuring reusable refurbished and re-manufactured products. Additional benefits include less energy is used in maintenance and repair repair rather than production from raw materials enhanced reputation with customers and clients by improving the sustainability of the goods and services you provide and security of supply a circular approach ensures that value is retained and the supply of raw materials is theoretically maintained indefinitely. The second principle in the circular economy model is keeping products some materials in use we can design and procure for this but we can also keep products of material materials in use so that they don’t end up incinerated or in landfill by following the principles in the waste hierarchy we can preference reuse and manufacture products before considering sending them to landfill a few examples quite simply by repairing and maintaining it means you don’t need to replace it with a new one done product disassembled and recycle and materials raw materials cost money and prices are likely to increase in the future a demand outstrip supply so reducing your consumption and using reused materials although those were a recycle content could make you a more profitable business and safeguard you against resource price rises or shortages

 using or offering a subscription or renting Service for product not only red reduces the culture of throwaway purchasing but can also enable you to offer enhanced higher value added services de clients instead instead of simply offering products for sale you might Service client delivered through the product you manufacture for example a lighting manufacturer might offer 10 years of lighting in a building whilst retaining ownership of the components such an approach could provide your business with a more consistent revenue stream based on the provision of a Service instead of a one off payment lighting system this could insulate your business from the boom and bus economic sometimes associated with the sale of products. This also reduces the risk of component failure if you are a customer as you’ve signed up to a manufacturer offering a service instead of simply buying a product you should also benefit from a service regime associated with that product and facilitated by the manufacturer. This should mean that breakdowns are less frequent and components function more efficiently for longer.

Take back schemes and material exchange platforms are a great way of keeping materials in use when one person has no more use for a product but it still has value material exchange platforms are schemes whereby excess materials and product product can be exchanged from one user to another using the volume of waste to landfill the supply chain sustainability schools material exchange platform map shows you the different material exchange platforms available available within the UK. These are frequently run by charities and social Enterprises offering additional social value benefits for local communities would take back schemes typically the manufacturer will take back the product that they sold with a potential to use it to regenerate new products and example of this is IKEA you’ll have a takeback scheme where they will buy back furniture in good condition and then resell the secondhand furniture

 The third third and final key principle of the circular economy is regenerating natural systems. There is no concept of waste in nature and so by mimicking natural cycles and returning nutrients to the soil. We can enhance natural resources. Click each icon within the cycle to learn more about how we can follow this principle of the circular economy within the built-in environment.

Using renewable energy energy as opposed to relying on finite fossil fuel supply suppliers reducing waste produced by reusing materials and reducing the use of raw materials used maintaining healthy, healthy and resilient soil through remediation and replenishment reducing carbon emissions through reducing waste produced ensuring we build composting into maintenance regimes paying attention to food for workers and end users. You can find out more in the schools sustainability in food drink and catering e-learning module as LinkedIn screen now for more information. Please click the video on screen now titled rethinking progress progress by the Ellen MacArthur foundation you have now learned about the three key.

Restrictions in supply what the circular economy is including the different steps in the production and use cycles of products and how reuse refurbishment and recycling as well as innovative business models all pay their part in the circular economy model how the circular economy can help your business be more competitive through improving efficiency reducing your exposure to risk and reducing your environmental impact. Thank you for completing this e-learning module.