Principles

After more than a century of a linear economy based on the ‘take, make and waste’ model, the circular economy marks a necessary break. It is based on five key principles that are already guiding the transformation currently taking place.

Building a Circular Economy means:

1. Global approach : The circular economy considers the entire cycle of products, materials and components, from the initial idea to the tangible result, including the human element. This means that public authorities and businesses must work hand in hand with their partners to distribute impacts, costs and benefits fairly.
2. Two value cycles : The technological cycle aims to keep products and materials in circulation through reuse, repair and recycling. The biological cycle concerns organic matter, such as food, which must be returned to the soil in order to regenerate ecosystems and generate new resources such as biomass. These two cycles aim to close the loop and avoid waste. 
3. Sustainable design : It is essential to design high-quality products that are repairable, durable and recoverable. Since 80% of a product's environmental impact is determined at the design stage, it is crucial to think carefully about materials and use from the start.
4. Transparency of information : Manufacturers must provide clear and accessible data on the composition and characteristics of their products throughout their life cycle. This will enable each player - business or consumer - to act in an informed manner.
5. New commercial models : Encouraging shared use rather than personal possession allows resources to be used more efficiently. These models meet the needs of several users with less impact. 

At the heart of these principles are three key actions: 

- Creating value through products designed to last and be dismantled.

- Retaining value through re-use, maintenance and repair.

- Recovering value at the end of life through re-use or recycling.

The ‘Null Offall’ strategy illustrates this dynamic through diagrams such as the resource triangle, combining waste hierarchies and value curves for the technological and biological cycles.