Society’s current module of consumption is a linear model. We buy, consume, and throw away. A Circular Economy aims to eliminate or reduce the last step of throwing away. Projects such as a Repair Café, LMAP, JCLSs Library of Things help support an economy where we lengthen the life of the products we own, and we own less by /renting more or subscribing to a service (ie. Car or Bike Share).
“We cannot recycle our way out of our waste problem: the circular economy is the answer.”
Melissa Seeley | TEDxEdina
Here are some excellent resources that will help you find ways to join the circular economy movement.
Circular Economy Resources
Local Resources
- Ashland Community Composting provides services for households and events. See their website for information on memberships.
- Rogue Produce provides convenient, flexible, economical, and available year-round, Rogue Produce delivers the freshest, highest-quality local and organic produce directly
to your door! - Rogue to Go reduces waste by providing reusable takeout containers to southern Oregon eaters and eateries. They have already eliminated more than 30,000 single-use containers. Visit a Rogue To Go eatery to participate!
Other Resources
- Amsterdam: The City Committed to a Circular Economy. How Amsterdam is doing it and how we can too! YouTube Video by The Upshift. This quick video provides easy to implement ideas you can do now and initiatives we can work on today.
- Ellen MacArthur Foundation Explore the Circular Economy. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is an excellent resource on the circular economy. They say it is based on three principles, driven by design:
• Eliminate waste and pollution
• Circulate products and materials (at their highest value)
• Regenerate nature - Reconomy – Making the transition from a linear economy to a circular economy practical and profitable.
- What is a Circular Economy – YouTube video by CNBC
- Why The Circular Economy Isn’t Working…. – and what’s needed to make it work! YouTube video by The Upshift.