90% of the resources we currently extract from the planet are never reused, but end up as waste. At the same time, never before has there been so much talk about circular transition, circular strategies and circular economy.
- "At present, many businesses are stuck in traditional linear models, but new thinking is necessary," says Maria Edling Hansson, Sustainability Developer at Dalarna Science Park.
Maria is a chemical engineer and has been working on environmental and sustainability issues for more than 20 years. In her role as a sustainability developer, she meets many entrepreneurs from different industries and she knows that switching to circular strategies is not easy.
- Not everything can change overnight, so the important thing is to start. Not only for the sake of the planet and future generations, but also to meet the requirements of the authorities and to match the needs of customers," says Maria, who here helps to clarify the concepts.
Nine questions on circularity - and the expert's answers
What is meant by a circular economy?
- The circular economy is inspired by nature and can best be described as a cycle. It is about eliminating waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and returning biological resources to nature in a way that rebuilds ecosystems. In such a cycle, there is really no waste, just resources in the wrong place.
The opposite is a linear economy, where goods are used and thrown away when they are used up, which is the dominant system in the world today.
Is what is circular also sustainable?
- Sometimes, but not always. A material may be recyclable, but still not sustainable - like asbestos, which is dangerous to handle. And if it takes a lot of energy or long transportation to circulate something, the climate benefits may be reduced. But many circular solutions are also very sustainable.
What characterizes a circular economy?
- Many factors. One of them is the quality of the items produced to ensure that they can be used often and for a long time, as well as goods and materials that can be repaired, reused and recycled. It is said that the design of a product determines 80% of how it can be circulated, so it is important to think about this from the start.
Is sharing things instead of owning them also part of a circular economy?
- Absolutely! Sharing instead of owning saves resources and means fewer items need to be produced, saving both materials and energy. It used to be common for neighbors to borrow from each other to save both money and space. Today, we share cars, tools and clothes, for example. Having access is often valued more than owning, especially among young people, and the trend is growing.
How good are we at circularity in Sweden?
- We can do much better! On average, we only recycle 3% of materials back into the economy at the end of their lifetime. Unfortunately, the trend is going in the wrong direction, we are recycling less and less both nationally and globally.
Why does the circular economy need to grow?
- In the big picture, it's about the fact that we only have one globe and that we in the West live far beyond our means. Quite simply, we need to be much better at managing the Earth's resources, not least for the sake of future generations.
What can a company gain from using circular strategies?
- In the long term, a lot. On the one hand, it's about staying ahead of government and EU regulations, and on the other, it's about reducing material and energy costs. Circular strategies also make a company more resilient to tariffs, material shortages and other external factors, while giving it the chance to strengthen its brand. Those that are also really good at telling the story of what they do and why definitely have a big competitive advantage.
Can all types of businesses become more circular?
- Yes, I would say so. For a manufacturing business, it is usually easier to use circular strategies and business models than it is for a service company. On the other hand, a service company can develop new solutions or new skills that allow their customers to become more circular, and we have several examples of this here in Dalarna.
My organization wants to become more circular - how do we take the first step?
- Feel free to book a digital start-up meeting with us at Dalarna Science Park, it costs nothing and we work under confidentiality. The tip is not to wait for the right opportunity or until you have come further, but do it today. We have many tools for working with circularity in our development programs and we adapt the support based on your needs. There are different ways to take the issue forward with us, or through our networks.
