What exactly is the circular economy? ♻️
The circular economy, to put it crudely, is the Netflix of the environment: a system in which use is preferred to ownership, and products and resources are used for as long as possible. Unlike the classic economy (also known as the linear economy), where we manufacture-consume-throw away, the circular economy aims to reuse, repair and recycle. In short, nothing is lost, everything is transformed.
This involves several key stages:
🍃 Waste reduction: Less production, less waste. 🍃 Reuse and repair: Before throwing away, we try to repair. 🍃 Recycling: Giving a second life to products and raw materials.
The aim? Preserve natural resources, limit waste, and create jobs in the repair and recycling sectors. In France, it is estimated that the transition to a circular economy could generate 200,000 jobs by 2030, particularly in waste management andeco-design of products.
But that's all great in theory. In practice, who has to do what?
Citizens: heroes under pressure? 🦸♂️🦸♀️
Consumers play an essential role in this transformation, but the pressure is real. Is it really up to you to save the planet by sorting your waste and getting your phone repaired? Yes, but not only...
In everyday life, the circular economy is easier said than done.
Imagine yourself with a broken phone. Rather than buying a new one, you decide to have it repaired. Problem: finding a certified repairer isn't always easy. Here's an interesting figure: in 2023, only 4,600 repairers in France had the QualiRépar label, out of a total of 30,000 repair outlets. This means that, depending on your region, finding an approved professional can be complicated. In some regions, such as Normandy, there were barely 30 approved repairers for the whole region at the end of 2023. Not great when your microwave breaks down on a Sunday afternoon...
Citizens still poorly informed?
When it comes to raising awareness, we're still a long way off. A report by ADEME (Agence de l'Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l'Énergie) in 2022 reveals that only 35% of French people have had an item repaired in the last two years. And for those who do, the repair bonus introduced at the end of 2022 is proving hard to convince. Although it is now possible to benefit from reductions of up to 60 euros for the repair of a washing machine or television set, many still consider that this is not enough of an incentive. As Claire Lemarchand, Director of Awareness at Ecosystem, points out, "The final cost of repair is still too high to create a reflex among consumers."
Companies: actors or spectators of change? 🏢💡
So, where do companies fit into all this? If we really want to move to a circular model, companies need to play a much more proactive role.
Efforts, but not yet up to scratch
The 2020 anti-waste law for a circular economy(AGEC) has certainly put some measures in place, but we're still a long way off the mark. In France, nearly 350 million tonnes of waste are produced every year. And despite advances in household waste recycling, only a small proportion of recyclable materials is actually recovered.
Companies need to go further, and that means taking concrete action:
🍀 Product eco-design: Create products designed to last (hello indestructible phones of the 2000s). 🍀 Extending product life: Offer more repair and recycling solutions. 🍀 Functional economy: Why buy when you can rent? The rental model, democratized by Lokki, is gaining in popularity, particularly for bicycles, DIY tools, and even electronic devices.
Extended responsibility, but... 🤷♂️
With Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), companies are now responsible for managing the waste generated by their products. This means that they must finance the collection and treatment of waste generated by the products they put on the market. However, as is often the case, theory is better than reality. While some companies are making a commitment, others are still dragging their feet.
Clearly, a great deal of awareness-raising remains to be done. But the trend is there: in Île-de-France, the transition to a circular economy could create over 15,000 jobs by 2030, particularly in the recycling and reuse sector.
An uneven transition
The challenge of thecircular economy in France is also its implementation on a national scale. Today, some sectors are more advanced than others, and the transition is far from uniform. In the electronics industry, for example, efforts are being made to encourage the repair of electronic devices, but in the fashion sector, fast fashion continues to offer single-use clothing.
Local players also play a major role. In some départements, waste management and the transition to a circular economy are better structured than in others. For example, in the Île-de-France region, initiatives to encourage recycling and reuse are already well underway, but in rural areas, access to recycling and repair infrastructures remains limited.
As a report by theInstitut Paris Région points out, the region has already implemented concrete actions to achieve its sustainable development objectives, notably through the creation of territorial ecosystems. We are also seeing the emergence of localcircular economy projects, where local authorities, businesses and associations work together to optimize waste management and extend product lifetimes.
How can we move towards a true circular economy? 🚀
So how do we make thecircular economy a reality on a daily basis? It's not enough to rely on the good gestures of citizens, nor on a few committed companies. It's a collective effort, where every player has a crucial role to play.
For citizens:
💚 Extend the lifespan of products: Before buying new, think about repairing or buying second-hand 💚 Prioritize re-use: Rent rather than buy. This can already be seen in the bicycle, household appliance and even electronics sectors. 💚 Favor committed companies: Support brands that highlight responsible practices and promoteeco-design.
For companies:
💚 Rethink production: Design products that are more sustainable, repairable and recyclable from the outset. 💚 Extend product life: Offer easy-to-access repair solutions and rental services to avoid waste. 💚 Create local jobs: Companies can supportjob creation in the recycling, repair and reuse sectors by leveraging local partnerships.
Programmed obsolescence: a brake on the circular economy 🔄
Programmed obsolescence, the phenomenon where products are designed not to last, represents a real obstacle to the implementation of a circular economy. Indeed, this strategy on the part of certain economic players encourages over-consumption, leading to an accumulation of waste and excessive exploitation of natural resources. In France, although laws have been passed to combat programmed obsolescence, it remains a major problem.
The idea behind programmed obsolescence is simple: to encourage consumers to replace their products more frequently than necessary, thereby increasing corporate profits, but to the detriment of theenvironment. And yet, to encourage a transition to a circular economy, it is crucial to rethink production by favoring durable, repairable products.
From an environmental point of view, extending the life of products reduces the use of raw materials and energy, thus helping to reduce waste. It also stimulatesjob creation in the repair and recycling sector, two pillars of thecircular economy.
For companies, the stakes are high: rethinking theirusage and production models to offer more resistant products, while at the same time offering repair services. This approach not only supports sustainable development, but also aligns with consumers' growing expectations in terms of environmental responsibility.
By promoting economic players who adopt these practices and by raising consumer awareness, the transition to a circular economy becomes not only possible, but essential for truly sustainable development. 🌍
The circular economy: an essential local challenge 🌍
Thecircular economy finds its full potential on a territorial scale. In France, numerous initiatives supported by public policy are demonstrating the effectiveness of this model. Take the case of Tarn-et-Garonne, where anindustrial and territorial ecology (EIT) approach, supported by the Chamber of Agriculture and Industry, has made it possible to:
- Pool transport and resources between companies
- Enhance the value of waste through inter-company exchanges
- Reduce raw material andenergy flows
In the Paris Region, theInstitut Paris Région estimates that thecircular economy could create 10,000 additional jobs by 2030 through optimized waste management and recycling. These initiatives show that, even at local level, the ecological transition is possible and profitable.
Case in point: in the Dunkirk area, some households are connected to heating networks produced by local companies. This type of cooperation makes it possible to:
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Create local added value
Promote sustainable and innovative development
Thecircular economy also makes it possible to limit the waste of natural resources by integratingeco-design principles and extending product lifetimes. According to anADEME study, pooling resources between companies could reduce household waste by 30% in certain regions.
What do we take away from this article? 📋
✅ The circular economy is about reducing waste and maximizing the use of resources through practices such as reuse, repair and recycling. ✅ Citizens can play an important role by prioritizing repair and choosing sustainable products. ✅ Companies must take greater responsibility, notably by adoptingeco-design and actively participating in waste management. ✅ The transition to a circular economy is still uneven, with geographical and sectoral disparities in France.
Zoom in on a concrete example: in Île-de-France, territorial projects aim to transform waste management by creating local recycling loops, where raw materials are reused within the region.
Here are a few reliable sources and articles that delve deeper into the subject of the circular economy on a territorial scale, as well as initiatives in France:
- ADEME - The circular economy in France: A comprehensive report on the issues, initiatives and actions implemented to encourage the circular economy in France. Read the report here.
- Institut Paris Région: An in-depth analysis of the job creation potential of the circular economy in the Paris Region. Read the article here.
- Zero Waste France - Économie Circulaire: An article exploring the role of territories in implementing the circular economy and local initiatives in France. Read the article here.
