An economic model that keeps resources in circulation through repair, reuse, and recycling rather than discarding products and materials. In contrast to the traditional "make, use, dispose" linear economy, it aims to build a sustainable system that maximizes economic value while minimizing resource input and waste output.
Core Concepts of the Circular Economy and How It Differs from 3R
The circular economy is a concept championed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and is being promoted at the policy level, primarily in the EU. While the traditional 3R approach (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) focuses on "reducing waste," the circular economy starts from the design philosophy of "not generating waste in the first place." Products are designed from the outset with disassembly, repair, and reuse in mind, and material selection is based on circularity potential.
Specific business models include product subscriptions (from ownership to usage), refurbishment (certified pre-owned resale), sharing, and remanufacturing. Apple's Certified Refurbished products, Patagonia's Worn Wear (used clothing sales), and IKEA's furniture buyback service are prime examples of major corporations practicing the circular economy. Flea market apps also serve as an important component of the circular economy as platforms that promote resource circulation at the individual level.
How Consumers Can Participate in the Circular Economy
Participating in the circular economy can be practiced through everyday consumption choices. The most accessible method is selling unwanted items on flea market apps and purchasing needed items from the secondhand market. This alone contributes to both "reducing waste" and "suppressing new product manufacturing." Clothing reuse has a particularly significant environmental impact - choosing a secondhand garment instead of buying new can reduce the CO2 emissions associated with manufacturing by approximately 80%.
Prioritizing "repairability" and "durability" as purchase criteria is also a contribution to the circular economy. Choosing high-quality products that can be repaired and used for a long time is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly in the long run than frequently replacing cheap, fragile products. The EU introduced "right to repair" regulations for home appliances in 2021, requiring manufacturers to supply repair parts. Similar discussions are progressing in Japan, and the transition to a circular economy is accelerating through both consumer awareness shifts and institutional development.
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