𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲, 𝗪𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸

𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲, 𝗪𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸

Recycling is where many circular economy conversations begin.
But it should not be where they end. ♻️ 🧐

This visual from the ACT State of the Environment 2023 explains the circular economy “R’s” through something familiar: a bicycle. It shows that circularity is not only about recycling old parts. It is about designing, using, repairing, sharing, refurbishing, remanufacturing and repurposing products so their value stays in the system for longer.

The ACT circular economy chapter describes three core principles: design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate natural systems. It also reminds us that the linear “take-make-waste” model has normalised overconsumption and waste.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝟵𝗥𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹:
-Refuse what we do not need
-Rethink ownership and sharing models
-Reduce material use through better design
-Reuse products before buying new
-Repair instead of replacing
-Refurbish to extend product life
-Remanufacture using recovered parts
-Repurpose materials for new uses
-Recycle only when higher-value options are no longer possible

For ESG professionals, this is an important reminder: circular economy is not just a waste-management issue. It is a design issue. A procurement issue. A business model issue. A Scope 3 emissions issue. And ultimately, a planetary health issue.

For businesses, the opportunity is to design products that last longer, are easier to repair, easier to disassemble, and less dependent on virgin materials.

For policymakers, it means enabling repair, circular procurement, product stewardship and better material recovery systems.

For all of us, it starts with a simple question:
Do I need something new or do I need a smarter way to use what already exists?

📸 ACT State of the Environment 2023

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