CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Learn about the circular economy and how it works

We believe we can help tackle the climate emergency and promote social and environmental justice for communities across Scotland, by supporting a shift from the linear economy to a circular economy.

Linear Economy

In a linear economy we take virgin materials from the earth, make them into consumer products, use them, and then discard them into landfill.

Linear Economy
Circular Economy

Circular Economy

In a circular economy we keep products in high value economic use for as long as possible. If someone is finished with a product it is reused by someone else. If a product is broken it is repaired. If a product cannot be reused, then its materials which are also valuable resources are recycled.

Waste Hierarchy

The waste hierarchy is a way to understand the value of resources. In a circular economy, we aim to keep materials as close to the top of the waste hierarchy for as long as possible, aiming to avoid landfill altogether.

Waste Hierarchy