circularity

Question 1

Linear economic model

Answer 1

TAKE
Resource extraction
MAKE
Production
Distribution
Consumption
WASTE
Dispose

Question 2

Embodied energy

Answer 2

Also described as upfront carbon
A one-time energy input

All processes associated with a product’s life cycle
Including:
* Raw material extraction
* Manufacturing
* Transportation
* Construction
* Maintenance
* Renovation
* Disposal

Question 3

Operational energy

Answer 3

Energy required for a building/product’s use phase
Including:
* Heating
* Cooling
* Lighting
* Powering appliances

Question 4

Circular economy

Answer 4

A system where materials never become waste, but kept in circulation through processes like
* Maintenance
* Reuse
* Refurbishment
* Remanufacture
* Recycling
* Composting

Decouples economic activity from the consumption of finite resources

Question 5

Products in a circular economy
(2 design principles)

Answer 5

Products designed to have longer lives + to be reused, remanufactured or reassembled instead of discarded

OR products have to be made from non-toxic biological materials that can be recycled or returned to the biosphere

Waste should be redefined as a resource to be utilised by local industries

Question 6

9 Rs

Answer 6

Useful application of materials
R9 Recover
Incineration of material w energy recovery

R8 Recycle
Process materials to obtain the same (high grade) or lower (low grade) quality

Extend lifespans of product + its parts
R7 Repurpose
Use discarded product or its parts in a new product with a different function

R6 Remanufacture
Use discarded product/parts in a new product w the same function

R5 Refurbish
Restore a product

R4 Repair
Repair + maintain defective product

R3 Reuse
By another consumer

Smarter product use + manufacture
R2 Reduce
Increase efficiency in manufacture/use processes

R1 Rethink
Make product use more intensive (sharing product)

R0 Refuse
Make products redundant by abandoning its function/or by offering the same function with a radically different product