Ellen Macarthur Foundation's Definition Of A Circular Economy Vs. Metabolic’s Founder, Eva Gladek, Defines A Circular Economy
The concept of sustainability is a crucial component of the circular economy. Moving away from the current linear production model that generates waste, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's definition of a circular economy presents a new business model. To achieve growth within this new economy, stakeholders must prioritize their approach. The circular economy model promises economic growth and an increase in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), exponentially affecting jobs and growth. This is excellent news for stakeholders interested in big business and government.
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation's definition of a circular economy emphasizes the value of raw materials already in existing products and goods. In a closed-loop system, manufacturers with more control over their supply chain can minimize their exposure to supply and price shocks and security risks that may exist from foreign nations and suppliers of virgin materials. By circulating products, components, and materials at their highest possible levels, businesses and governments can mitigate losses and create new growth opportunities. In a circular economy model, stakeholders must prioritize their energy needs. However, a more renewable power source must replace the linear take, make, and waste system that relies on fossil fuels to create energy. This change will ensure a less toxic environment.
Metabolic’s Founder and CEO, Eva Gladek, defines a circular economy holistically. She considers the humanistic needs and relationships big businesses, government, and the biosphere share. With this model, stakeholders must prioritize the environmental impacts that may result from producing a particular product or service within acceptable boundaries. The model uses the seven pillars of a circular economy to help guide businesses to a sustainable state. She moves these pillars inter-changeably, guiding through incorporated materials to the resiliency of an economic system. In her circular economy, it is unacceptable to allow burden shifting. Everyone is a part of the ecosystem; no one part is greater than the whole.
Product design is also a key component in this model. Designers must start rethinking how a product is created and include a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in the thought process.
The two definitions of the circular economy have great potential to take us out of this linear take, make, and waste economic model. With the evolvement of new technology, Gladek and MacArthur are two dynamic forward-thinking pillars. Both models stem from different perspectives but are however similar in other aspects. Designers will need to reevaluate their thinking, design, and business practices.
