What is the circular economy and why does it matter?

Consumers, businesses, and politicians all need to make changes.

• Ideas to create less emissions include adopting a plant-based diet and buying food locally, as well as flying less often and sharing vehicles.
• Homes, offices, and other buildings can be designed to have multiple uses. For example, an office space that is also a community centre and night school.
• It should also be easy and affordable to repair products, such as a mobile phone with an old battery.

Recycling involves converting waste materials into new materials and objects. This process itself uses energy and creates emissions, so can still contribute to global warming.

In an ideal circular economy, products are redesigned so they last through several life cycles – rather than being immediately recycled. This can include refurbishing and redistributing products.