Paper Two: Circular economy

Question 1

What is a circular economy

Answer 1

• an approach that anticipates and designs for biological and technical ‘nutrients’ to be continuously reused at the same quality, dramatically reducing the dependency on sourcing new materials
• two nutrient types-biological and technical

Question 2

What are biological nutrients

Answer 2

• organic non toxic materials that can be simply composed and can safely re enter ecosystems without harming the natural environment
• products made from wood can naturally degrade to provide compost or nutrients to the ground

Question 3

What are technical nutrients

Answer 3

• man made materials including polymers and alloys, designed to be reused repeatedly at the same initial high quality with minimal energy and no adverse environmental effects
• cars and washing machines made from these nutrients

Question 4

What will a circular economy do

Answer 4

• work against the unstaianble ‘take, make, dispose’ culture
• promote and drive greater resource productivity
• reduce waste
• reduce use of finite resources
• avoid pollution
• deliver a more competitive UK economy
• help reduce the environmental impact of our product manufacture and consumption