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.

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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.

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Marinus (René) Verschuren
Marinus (René) Verschuren
Founder of WebStamp
René has been involved in the publishing and printing industry since the 1970s. He has published and distributed a successful 24-page weekly news advertiser with a circulation of 4400 copies. Also for the last 20 years, he has been a printer, plotter, scanner and 3D printer technician and installer. Since High School, he also has worked as a janitor, cabinet maker, building construction, landscaper/designer, computer operator producing microfiche, graphic artist, and webmaster, among many other professions. This qualifies him as a Jack-of-All-Trades with plenty of knowledge in many subjects.
Articles in this Issue
We all have experienced this volatily 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.
Werner (Van) Harder, a visiting Canadian Artist from Winnipeg, was disappointed when the Calgary Open-Mike venue was closed and couldn’t present his work. WebStamp offered to published it given Calgarians an opportunity to enjoy his writings.
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