TVETipedia Glossary

A systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. It is based on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature. It is underpinned by a transition to renewable energy and materials. Transitioning to a circular economy entails decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources. This represents a systemic shift that builds long-term resilience, generates business and economic opportunities, and provides environmental and societal benefits.

A model for sustainability in resource use and consumption which supports moving away from an extract–manufacture–use–discard model and embraces the recycling, repair, reuse, remanufacture and longer durability of goods.

The circular economy is an economic model based on sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling materials and products in an (almost) closed loop. The aim is to maintain the utility and value of products, components and materials for as long as possible, minimising waste.