I am writing blog articles since January 2012. Cradle-to-cradle was the main subject, focussed on which materials and techniques make textile products suitable for biodegradation or recycling. Ones in a while it is good to take a broader view and see the shifts that are needed to make a circular economy possible, that is what I will do in this article.
Why a circular economy? Take a look at this (Dutch) video:
Why a circular economy? Take a look at this (Dutch) video:
We first thought the world was flat, but Columbus found out the world is round. Our economy now is flat (a linear line) but needs to be round (circular) too. That seems logical right? Because we live on a finite planet, the only thing that goes in is sunlight, the only thing that goes out are the things we send to space (where on their turn they float around)
The circular economy goes a step further than Cradle-to-Cradle as you can see in this movie of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The circular economy is all about business:
The circular economy goes a step further than Cradle-to-Cradle as you can see in this movie of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The circular economy is all about business:
What is needed to make a circular economy for textile products work?
Minimalism: wanting less, owning less, finding your happiness through experiences instead of products.
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Business case: The user needs to have a benefit from it; why would they go for your product/service? (that happens to be more environment / human / animal / plant-friendly.)
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Design: designing for disassembly, make biodegradation or recycling possible.
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Collecting: An effective collecting system of used products for companies and consumers, so the products do not end up as waste.
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Repair and recycle shops: to disassemble, reassemble and resell.
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Fibre separation: Better separation of fibres (ones textiles are shredded), so new fibres can be made out of them.
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Washing: Different washing methods to shrink the plastic soup in the ocean. Now non-biodegradable fibres from clothes end up in the ocean.
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Mindset: The biggest issue I think is mindset, there is a huge difference between seeing the importance and acting towards it.
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