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What is the circular economy?

A chart showing the relationship cycle in the circular economy, starting with raw materials, then design, production, retail, consumption, reuse and repair, collection and recycling

This system generates a significant amount of waste and consumes excessive resources, negatively impacting our lives and the environment.

Kansas City sends tons of waste to landfills every year. Much of that waste still has value, such as clothes that could be reused, electronics that could be repaired, or food scraps that could be composted. By putting these items in the landfill, we are losing valuable resources forever.

The idea of a circular economy presents a different way to think about how we use materials. Instead of producing something, using it once, and throwing it away, the circular economy looks at how we can keep materials in use for as long as possible in a resource loop. This might mean reusing or repairing things, recycling them effectively, or designing products so they last longer.

Planned obsolescence in fashion

The fashion industry is deeply committed to built-in obsolescence, with last year's styles designed to be replaced by this year's new trends. Furthermore, this spurs the fast fashion industry, which uses cheap materials and exploited labor from other countries. The low-quality clothing leads to the purchase of more clothing, and on and on. Is this a conscious choice or have we been conditioned to think we need new and fashionable designs?

How can we change?

We’re accustomed to a system and way of life that encourages fast and abundant consumption. But there’s a growing interest in doing things differently, which involves slowing down to think critically, reducing waste, and supporting systems that work better for people and the environment. Promotion of the circular economy is seen all over the world, and Kansas City can be part of that story. 

Kansas City could benefit greatly from embracing a circular economy. It could support local businesses that repair goods or reuse materials. It could create jobs in remanufacturing, recycling, and composting by creating end-markets. It could also reduce costs over time by keeping materials in the local economy instead of constantly bringing in new ones from across the country or globe, which takes even more resources for transit. 

Some of this is already happening at smaller scales. Local non-profits, repair shops, community gardens, and reuse centers are taking part in this process. The circular economy helps connect the dots and scale those efforts in a way that benefits more people across the region. 

Moving toward a circular economy is one way Kansas City can build a more efficient, resilient, and healthy future for everyone. This is an opportunity for Kansas City to inspire others to move towards a circular economy that reflects a respect for our resources and environment, as well as ourselves. 

Reducing consumption

Reducing consumption can start with using available resources within the community instead of purchasing brand-new materials. 

Lending libraries

Most people are aware of the main services offered by libraries: free rental of books, magazines, DVDs, and computer/internet access. However, some libraries offer much more!