Circular Economy Principles and Cradle to Cradle

Study of material and energy flows in industrial systems. It focuses on creating closed-loop processes where waste becomes input, minimizing by-products.

Designing production processes to mimic living systems, aiming for sustainability.

Movement using resources in cascading systems, where waste becomes input for new products and cash flow. It prioritizes local environment and ecological characteristics, often with gravity as an energy source.

Transforming linear systems into circular systems, benefiting businesses, people, and the environment.

A key principle of circular economy design, focusing on removing waste and pollution entirely, not just cleaning it up.

A temporary solution to waste, not a circular economy approach. It focuses on cleaning up existing waste before design changes.

Designing products and processes to eliminate waste completely, a key element of the circular economy.

Adopting a holistic perspective to design production processes that closely mirror natural systems, aiming for sustainability.

A strategy to maximize the value and relevance of materials, products, and buildings throughout their lifespan.

Strategies for waste reduction at the design phase, aiming to prevent waste from occurring at design stages.

Strategies for extending the lifespan of building products by reuse, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and repurposing.

Strategies for recycling and recovering building materials/products labeled as "waste" by standard practice; they may need technical efforts and energy.

A circular strategy that requires fewer external inputs to close the loop. It's preferable when possible.

A type of plastic that breaks down into natural components in a home compost, unlike traditional plastics that require industrial conditions.

A gel that protects proteins from degradation, acting as a stable storage solution for medicines and other protein-based products.

Enzymes embedded in plastics to enhance their biodegradability, speeding up the breakdown process.

Compostable plastics help minimize the amount of plastic going to landfills, leading to a cleaner and more sustainable environment.

The technology benefits areas with limited resources by providing a cost-effective and accessible way to store essential medicines.

This new technology directly addresses the global plastic waste problem by encouraging responsible disposal and promoting biodegradable alternatives.

Process of collecting, sorting, and reprocessing plastic materials into new products.

The biodegradability of this plastic and the gel technology lead to energy savings compared to traditional plastic production and disposal.

A plastic recycling method that involves physical processes like shredding and separation to create new plastic from old materials.

The combination of biodegradable plastics and protective gels offers a sustainable approach to both packaging and medical storage, aligning with global sustainability goals.

Advanced plastic recycling process that uses chemical reactions to break down plastic into its base components. This allows the creation of new materials from complex plastic mixtures.

Process to generate biogas (a renewable energy source) using food waste and decomposing organic matter.

The percentage of collected waste that is successfully recycled in the United States, currently around 34%.

A significant environmental issue arising from the large amount of discarded plastic, leading to pollution and decreased recycling rates.

Putting items into a recycling bin that aren't recyclable, due to a misunderstanding of what can truly be recycled.

Obstacles to effective waste recycling, including public education, contamination from non-recyclable items, and the low quality of some plastics.

A scenario where a collision of space debris creates even more debris, escalating the problem. Think of a chain reaction where each collision causes more damage, resulting in a cascade of new debris.

Difficulty in identifying the perpetrator of a cyberattack, making it challenging to respond effectively. This is because attackers can disguise their origin and use sophisticated techniques to cover their tracks.

The current system of taking raw materials, manufacturing, and then discarding products, resulting in massive waste.

If we continue with the current system, plastic waste will significantly increase, with up to 600 million tons ending up in the ocean by 2040.

Uncertainty surrounding rules and boundaries in online conflict, making it difficult to predict and control the consequences of actions.

A system where plastic is reused, recycled, or composted, preventing it from becoming waste.

A situation where different problems are closely connected and influence each other. This creates opportunities for cooperation because resolving one problem can benefit others.

Reducing plastic packaging by redesigning, innovating, and finding new delivery models. Focus on rethinking how products reach consumers without generating more waste.

Connecting different policy issues together to achieve a better outcome. It leverages interdependence to reach a win-win situation.

Shifting to reusable plastic packaging through dedicated systems, eliminating waste and pollution while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Creating plastic packaging that is 100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable, fitting into a real-world system.

Ensuring that all plastic packaging is either reused, recycled, or composted, preventing it from ending up in the environment.