Edited by Michelle Ho
First of all, what is the circular economy? The circular economy is a cycle of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing products as long as possible. Its ultimate aim is to tackle global issues like waste, like textile waste and fast fashion. Though the term circular economy and the whole idea of the continuous use of products may not be familiar to the majority, this economic cycle is incrementally becoming a part of society and businesses.
Well-known companies such as Selfridge have teamed up with a pair-to-pair loan site like Hurr to offer dresses for loan. Nightgowns, prom dresses and other clothes that are only needed for one-time events are the most suitable situation for renting instead of buying. Even Carrie Symonds, the British prime master reportedly spent her big day in a loaned bridal gown. Other than renting, the reduction of packaging waste has also come to an improvement. In places of fast fashion, instead of throwing away endless bubble wraps and paper boxes, goods can come in recyclable postage paper or reusable packagings, and now clothes can also be borrowed and rented instead of buying tons and throwing away old ones.
Moreover, more than 100 leading businesses have signed the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s extended producer responsibility pledge and acknowledged their responsibility for what they produce in the market. Thus, Johanna Haering, who works in marketing for the Landbell Group which runs the Green Alley Awards to circular economy startups, and the ones that signed the extended producer responsibility pledge, believes that the number of entrants to the award recently has increased. This clearly shows how sustainability is becoming serious business nowadays (Boztas, 2021).
“We started in 2014 and we had 70 or 80 applications, only focuses on the German-speaking market. The next year, we expanded the whole of Europe, and every year the number of applications has increased, with a slight dip last year because of the pandemic.”
The idea and goal of achieving the circular economy in businesses are developing with awareness increasing among ordinary people, government, and startups; providing the cash they need to do so. Wedding days do not have to be a luxury, because noble yet sustainable products are available to everyone!
References
Boztas, S. (2021, November 4). The circular economy is now part of daily life – even if you
don't realise it. Positive News. Retrieved November 23, 2021, from
https://www.positive.news/society/the-circular-economy-is-now-part-of-daily-life-even-
if-you-dont-realise-it/
Comentarios