Impact Insider: Circular Economy

Most of it ends up in landfills, contributing to our massive waste crisis. But there’s a solution.

Enter product circularity—a revolutionary approach that’s changing the way we think about products and sustainability. Unlike the conventional linear model, where products have a short life cycle before ending up in landfills, circularity focuses on designing products that can be reused, repaired, and recycled, keeping materials in use for as long as possible.

In the conventional linear model, products are designed with a one-way ticket—from production to disposal. This results in massive waste, resource depletion, and environmental damage. For example, globally, we produce over 2 billion tons of waste each year, and much of it comes from products that have reached the end of their short life cycle.

Product circularity flips this model on its head. It starts with designing products for durability and repairability, ensuring they last longer and can be easily disassembled at the end of their life. Think of it as giving products multiple lives rather than a one-way trip to the landfill.

Examples of Circularity in Action

• Patagonia has long been a leader in promoting product circularity through its repair services. The company offers a free repair program where customers can send in their worn-out Patagonia gear to be fixed, extending the life of the products. They also host "Worn Wear " events across the country where they teach customers how to repair their own clothing, further encouraging a culture of reuse rather than disposal.
• IKEA’s buy-back program allows customers to return their used furniture in exchange for store credit. The furniture is then resold in IKEA’s "As-Is" section, often at a lower price. This initiative is part of IKEA’s broader strategy to become a fully circular business by 2030 , where all products are made from renewable and recycled materials.

Unfortunately, not everyone’s on board. Many traditional supply chains are still stuck in the linear mindset, prioritizing efficiency and profit over sustainability. And it gets worse—some companies deliberately design products to fail or become outdated quickly, a practice known as programmed obsolescence. This is the ultimate villain of product circularity, creating a cycle where consumers are pushed to buy more and toss more.

The environmental impact of a linear model is staggering—waste production, energy consumption, and resource depletion are just the tip of the iceberg. For instance, electronic waste (e-waste) alone reached a record 53.6 million metric tons in 2019 , and less than 20% of that was properly recycled.

So here’s the skinny; by adopting circular practices, businesses can reduce their environmental footprint, save resources, and even lower costs in the long run.?

The argument that circularity is too costly doesn’t hold up. The real case seems to be that these businesses are only looking for hyper-inflated profits. When we should be thinking beyond the product’s first life and considering how it can be given a second, third, or even fourth life, in hopes to give our planet that option too.

What We're Reading

• The Profiteers: How Business Privatizes Profit and Socializes Cost: Uncover how corporations shift blame to consumers while reaping profits & learn why real change starts with holding them accountable.
• The Butterfly Diagram: Visualizing the Circular Economy : Say hello to the circular economy's two main cycles: the technical cycle, where products are reused and recycled, and the biological cycle, where nutrients return to nature.
• How to Build a Circular Economy: Discover how moving away from the take-make-waste model can lead to a more resilient and equitable future.

So, How Can You Shop Sustainably?

Looking to shop more circular? Check out our DoneGood marketplace, where you’ll find a range of upcycled and sustainably made products. By choosing upcycled goods, you're not just buying something new—you're supporting a system that keeps materials in use and out of landfills.

• Blanket Made From Recycled Textile Waste
• Shorts Made From Recycled Water Bottles
• Sandals With Repurposed Tire Soles

Hey Everyone,

Last month, we explored the hidden environmental costs of cryptocurrency. This month, we’re shifting our focus to something just as impactful—product circularity. It’s an exciting concept that challenges the status quo of how we produce, consume, and dispose of goods.

As we strive to reduce our environmental footprint, it’s crucial to look at the bigger picture—how can we make our products last longer, and what role can we play in promoting circularity? I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas on this. Let’s keep the conversation going!

Catch you in the thread, Kedar

Want to chat more about this? Let's connect on Calendly .?Let’s brainstorm ways to make circularity the new norm.