Introduction
At the moment, our society heavily relies on a linear economy: Products are manufactured, consumed and thrown away. This has proved unsustainable in terms of the climate, use of resources, economy and people’s well-being. A circular economy is the opposite of a linear economy. A key idea in a circular economy is keeping products and materials in circulation for as long as possible by reusing products and recycling products at the end of their service life to be used in new products. The circular economy is also closely connected to the sharing economy, which focuses on using products efficiently instead of owning them, for example through renting and sharing. This reduces the need for new products.
By moving on to a circular economy, we can conserve diminishing resources and prevent waste production. The circular economy is also an effective means of combating climate change: When we reduce the use of virgin resources, we are also reducing the emissions from the production of materials. The circular economy can be used to support employment, especially of people in a weak labour market position. Sharing economy solutions promote equal opportunities for residents to make more sustainable everyday choices. In the long term, a sustainable economy can only be achieved by transitioning to a circular economy.
Of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Action Plan for the Circular and Sharing Economy strongly promotes Goal 12 ‘Ensure the sustainability of consumption and production patterns’. In addition, the action plan directly supports Goal 4 ‘Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all,’ Goal 9 ‘Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation,’ Goal 13 ‘Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts,’ and Goal 17 ‘Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development.’
Figure 1: UN SDGs promoted by the Action Plan for the Circular and Sharing Economy.