WebStamp August 8, 2018
Achieving A Supportable Economy
We all have experienced this volatility with the current Linear Economy Model “Take-Make-Use-Dispose”. With diminishing natural resources and fluctuation of supply, the cost of materials and resources for production continue to rise faster than inflation. This economic linear model is very slowly evolving into a new sustainable Circular Economy to help reclaim used resources to offset the imbalance. Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) are having a difficult time establishing Circular Business Models because of a lack of consumer acceptance.
The truth is that many of our resources end up as waste. Much of this waste is generated by the consumer or user discarding the used item, even if it is still usable or repairable. We do have recycling programs to help reduce the amount of waste generated, but many are operating far below the requirements for a truly eco-sustainable Zero-Waste society. For the reclamation of resource materials to function properly we need all factions to do their part, including the uninspired consumers.
The manufacturing process produces the vast majority of waste during production. This is where most of the progress towards a Circular Economy has been developed.
Progress has been slow because many businesses still cling to traditional ways of profit over value. Progress is even slower with consumers because they are comfortable with maintaining the status quo. Consumers can have a big impact with the creation of a Circular Economy.
The end user can help by following the 5Rs for Sustainable Living, Reduce-Reuse-Repair-Repurpose-Recycle. Don’t be to quick to discard your unwanted items, find someone who can make use of it. Even if it needs repair or upgrading, there is always someone out there that could make use of it. Give it away on Kijiji, Free Craigslist, or Free Calgary. Keep as much as you can out of the landfill as possible and reintroducing it back into the supply chain.
Consumers should insist in only doing business with sustainable companies that provide re-purposeful products with sustainable packaging. Look into buying your product as a service, where you pay for using it. The manufacturer takes care of all repairs, maintenance, upgrades, and replacements. They even take care of recycling as much of the end product back into the system. Consumers need to follow the same example and responsibly dispose of their unwanted discard appropriately.
Join the M.A.D. Movement and make a difference to a sustainable economy. With a stable regenerative society, we can live with a lot less turmoil not having to worry about a volatile economy. We will also reduce generating garbage and disposing of it. Discover what the circular economy is about in this YouTube Video “Re-thinking Progress: The Circular Economy”. Learn about Product Service Systems (PSS) and remanufacturing in this latest Ellen MacArthur Foundation animation. Let us all do our part and live comfortably ever after without worries.
Share This Article
References:
Articles in this Issue
Improving the Local Economy
by Connecting Calgarians
With their Communities
Join the M.A.D. Movement
Calgarians can continue to Make A Difference by simply making a M.A.D. Move by doing anything, no matter how small, that has a beneficial outcome. WebStamp encourages everyone to help stimulate the local economy by Buying Locally.