Circular economy: An Alternative for the “Take, Make, Consume and Dispose” Mindset

“The database is designed to help circular economy advocates learn what is already being done and better coordinate efforts on a global scale while showcasing more than 3,000 circular economy-related initiatives around the globe from more than 100 cities and 60 countries. The Circular Economy Club (CEC), the nonprofit international network of more than 2,600 circular economy professionals and organizations in more than 60 countries, announces the launch of the largest open-source database on circular economy-related initiatives in the world. The database derived directly from the CEC’s efforts to “map” circular economy activities around the globe earlier this year.  That project, dubbed “Circular Economy Mapping Week,” entailed workshops coordinated by CEC organizers in more than 65 cities and 40 countries from Feb. 5-11, 2018. The newly launched CEC database documents the findings of that outreach, which included more than 2,100 participants and 3,000 circular economy initiatives representing 100 cities and 60 countries. Anna Tarí, who founded the Circular Economy Club in 2014, believes this was the first global open source exercise of its kind in the circular economy sector, and was an important step for both the CEC and the circular economy movement in general. “If we aim to move towards a circular economy, we first need to understand what is already being done,” Tarí said. “It is imperative that circular economy advocates come together and clearly document what each of us knows. This database puts these abstract concepts into a tangible form that helps form a clearer picture.” Tarí said she was encouraged and inspired by the responses of the workshop organizers and attendees, who seem determined to keep momentum for the circular economy moving forward. The data also illuminated areas where coordination, communication and understanding can be improved, she said. “It can be a complicated concept to implement, and this data shows we have a lot of work to do” Tari said. “But the great news is that people want to get involved, have a role, and help define their future and that of our economies.” Those interested in adding their own circular economy information to the open-source database can do so at the CEC Web site.”