Ten steps to apply the circular economy on a daily basis

The circular economy has gone from being an unknown concept to being integrated into most public policies (the Basque Government has just approved its first plan in this regard). Citizens can also take a step towards sustainability, since applying the circular economy on a day-to-day basis is easier than we think. It just takes innovative ideas and a little effort on our part. To find the first, we have turned to the circular economy expert Joan Manuel Fernandez, researcher at Mondragón Higher Polytechnic School and Ikerbasque Research Fellow.

These are the 10 steps for a more circular personal economy, which in addition to the usual Recycle, go through reuse, reduce and repair:

Re-use

1). Shower water. Sometimes it takes time for the water to heat up. We can collect this liquid and use it later to wash the dishes, flush down the toilet, water the plants or give the pet a drink.

2). Packaging. Use glass jars (for preserves, for example) to store your products at home. Metal or metal bottles can be refilled over and over again, instead of single-use plastic bottles.

3). The bags. As in the previous example, try to use the same bag to make the purchase (preferably fabric or recycled material) instead of continually buying new ones.

4). Clothes, footwear and any product that it no longer serves you or does not use. Instead of throwing them away, you can sell them as second hand on platforms like Wallapop, Vinted or Vibbo.

“In this case, instead of having a product at home that you do not use that has required a consumption of resources, you offer it to another person to extend its useful life and you get an economic return. Many people are collaborating in the same way. these platforms without realizing that they are contributing to a circular economy “, explains Joan Manuel Fernández.

You can also buy on these platforms, instead of buying a new product. Fernández insists that “a change of consciousness” must be made in this regard because many people believe that “second-hand products are of poorer quality, nothing is further from reality.” You just need to take a look at many of the objects that are sold on these platforms: some have never been used and even have the label on them.

5). Meal. As was done in the past, in times of hardship, practicing the kitchen with leftovers: use the remains of meat, fish or vegetables to make croquettes or even hamburgers. We can also make jams, salads, purees or gazpachos with overripe fruit or vegetables. The leftover broth after cooking vegetables can be used to make a delicious paella, and the bread from the day before, as toast for breakfast.

The used oil can be used to make soap. We will only need the oil, caustic soda (for sale in drugstores) and water.

Fernández quotes us the Too Good to go application. In it, bars and restaurants can offer food that they have left over and that otherwise they would have to throw away at a low price, so the food waste (food waste).

Reduce

6). The plastic. Almost everything is packaged in plastic or is entirely made of this material, but there are alternatives:

As for food, we can opt for bulk products, since we reduce the number of containers consumed and reuse ours. If this alternative is not possible, you can bet on those that are packaged with more environmentally friendly materials such as cardboard and glass.

Avoid disposable products like bottles, straws, silverware, or even toothbrushes. Fortunately, almost all products have a reusable alternative: glass bottles, metal straws, cutlery or bamboo brushes …

7). Feminine hygiene products. Reusable cloth panty liners and panty liners are a good alternative to tampons and pads with high plastic content.

8). Consumption. In Fernández’s opinion, as consumers we have to do several questions before purchasing something. The first: Do I need this, yes or no? “If you do not need it, there is nothing more unsustainable than having a product that you do not use, because in the end you have consumed a lot of resources and the product has not been used at all or less than you should,” he says.

The second would be, can I buy it second-hand or can I buy a remanufactured product (a product manufactured again after modifying or restoring some other or others)? Fernández refers us to the second-hand applications mentioned above.

The last question would be: What if instead of a product I buy a service? In answering this question, the rental of tools, vehicles, wedding suits or costumes serve as examples.

Repair

The last step would be to try to repair the objects that are damaged or broken, although for this the network of repair shopsn (which also promote local commerce), a firm commitment by companies to avoid “planned obsolescence”, as well as the support by public administrations for this service. In fact, today, in many cases it is cheaper economically (not for the planet) to buy something new than to repair it.

9). Clothing, footwear, accessories. The “lifelong shops” for sewing, shoe repair or umbrella stands.

10). Home appliances and electronics. In this section, there is an increasing demand for reconditioned products (technological products such as mobile phones or computers that have been repaired) and the stores that offer them such as Cash Converters or CeX.