The European Union produces more than 2.5 billion tonnes of waste every year. It is currently working on law changes to promote a shift to a more sustainable model known as the circular economy.
What is a circular economy?
The circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves reusing, recycling, reducing, sharing and refurbishing existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended. It is part of the solution to our global climate emergency – one in which products, services and systems are designed to maximise their value and minimise waste. This model aims to extend the life cycle of products. In addition to ESG investing, it is the future of sustainability. When a product reaches the end of its life, the materials or leftovers are kept within the economy wherever possible. In simple terms, it can be explained as ‘make, use, remake’ as opposed to ‘make, use, dispose’. The latter no longer works for businesses, people, and the planet.
How does a circular economy work?
A circular economy is possible when products are designed smartly with their whole life cycle in mind, re-using and repairing to extend their life, and then when their life is considered over, re-manufacturing to create new products from old. The circular economy is based on three principles – eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials, and regenerate nature.
There are several routes to embracing a circular economy including;
- Design
Products are made using durable materials and modular design techniques in order to be longer-lasting and easier to disassemble and repair to redesign; - Re-use and repair
Product life cycles are extended by maintenance and repair, so they remain in their original state for as long as possible; - Recycling
Products can be easily separated into component parts and materials, enabling use in new products, replacing the need of new materials; - Manufacturing
Manufacturing products with circular economy principles includes using remaining parts and materials of previous products; - Re-manufacturing and Reuse
Extending the lifetime of products at the end of their ‘first life’ by repurposing them or enabling other, subsequent uses;
Benefits from circular economy
- Reduces the use of finite resources
The dangers of overuse of limited resources is immense. We need to be more cautious of how we use products and materials, and what we do with them after their ‘first life’ has ended.
- Lowers carbon emissions
Disposal of materials contributes up to two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions. A circular economy helps minimise that since its entire model revolves around sustainability. With the help of a circular economy, materials are managed more efficiently and with a thought for the Earth.
- Increased Customer Loyalty
Circular economy as a new business model builds longer-term relationships between businesses and their customers. Companies that decide to use these new circular models have the opportunity to gain insights into their customers’ usage patterns that can lead to better customer service, better brand loyalty, and in return, increased profits.
- Protect human health and biodiversity.
Working towards a circular economy helps protect people’s health and biodiversity in many ways. Designing products to be kept in use for longer reduces the waste produced. Creating proper collection of waste protects workers and the environment from hazardous materials.
Cupffee’s contribution
Cupffee is a delicious and edible cookie cup that perfectly complements your coffee or dessert. It is a sustainable and tasty alternative to plastic and paper cups. Combined with an eco-friendly production process, Cupffee is 100% GMO-free and vegan with no artificial colourants, sweeteners, or preservatives. To hold our sustainability promise, we produce the holder from recyclable material. Cupffee aims for zero waste production, therefore, the leftovers are later used to make other edible products. Our production process does not generate industrial waste – just clean steam and a tasty aroma of freshly baked cookies. We strive for the highest level of automation and digitalization of our business. What defines Cupffee as unique is not only its taste and characteristics, but also the way we produce thousands of Cupffee cups every day.
