Towards circular economy : EU, Finland and Lahti region perspectives
Medkova, Katerina (2015)
Medkova, Katerina
Lahden ammattikorkeakoulu
2015
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2015110916096
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2015110916096
Tiivistelmä
In nature, all systems are practically cyclical and waste-free, whereas our current economic system is linear, wasteful and too much based on an assumption of abundant and cheap resources. In fact, this unrelenting depletion is considered as causing the Earth’s natural resources to go bankrupt. The linear fashion thinking ought to be revised and the ends of the straight imaginary line must be looped to form a continuous cycle, with no or a minimum produced waste.
The waste should be regarded as a potential resource for something new in the same way as Mother Nature works. It is time to think circular; it is time for a change. It is time for creative and innovative thinking. It is time for novelty, the new industrial revolution called the Circular Economy.
The philosophy of the circular economy can be described as: ‘Today’s products are reused, remanufactured or refurbished to be reborn as tomorrow’s products’. To start with, we are required to remodify our values, attitude and mindsets.
This work describes the circular economy and advocates its purpose and benefits. It examines the drivers and enablers towards a new sustainable way of living and prosperity without compromising the economic growth. The most obvious obstacles and limitations of the concept’s implementation are also unfolded. Moreover, case studies and real examples from the European Union, Finland and Lahti region are described.
Qualitative in-depth interviews revealed opinions and experiences of six professionals and the actions taken, as well as the future plans in Finland, regarding this global trending topic.
The research outcomes confirmed the need and the importance of raising awareness and understanding of a circular economy among the general public, in order to get people ‘on board’. The major challenge facing the transition towards the circular economy is people’s mindset as the principles are rather simple but the implications are vast.
The waste should be regarded as a potential resource for something new in the same way as Mother Nature works. It is time to think circular; it is time for a change. It is time for creative and innovative thinking. It is time for novelty, the new industrial revolution called the Circular Economy.
The philosophy of the circular economy can be described as: ‘Today’s products are reused, remanufactured or refurbished to be reborn as tomorrow’s products’. To start with, we are required to remodify our values, attitude and mindsets.
This work describes the circular economy and advocates its purpose and benefits. It examines the drivers and enablers towards a new sustainable way of living and prosperity without compromising the economic growth. The most obvious obstacles and limitations of the concept’s implementation are also unfolded. Moreover, case studies and real examples from the European Union, Finland and Lahti region are described.
Qualitative in-depth interviews revealed opinions and experiences of six professionals and the actions taken, as well as the future plans in Finland, regarding this global trending topic.
The research outcomes confirmed the need and the importance of raising awareness and understanding of a circular economy among the general public, in order to get people ‘on board’. The major challenge facing the transition towards the circular economy is people’s mindset as the principles are rather simple but the implications are vast.