Kiertokäytä

Kiertokäytä is a Finnish term that translates to "circular economy" in English. It refers to an economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources. In a circular economy, products and materials are kept in use for as long as possible, extracting the maximum value from them whilst in use, then recovering and regenerating products and materials at the end of each service life. This contrasts with the traditional linear economy model, which follows a "take-make-dispose" pattern.

The principles of a circular economy include designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. This involves strategies such as product reuse, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and recycling. The goal is to decouple economic growth from the consumption of finite resources and to reduce environmental impact.

Key elements of a circular economy are durability, reparability, and recyclability of products. It encourages innovation in business models, such as product-as-a-service, where consumers pay for the use of a product rather than owning it. By embracing circularity, societies can move towards more sustainable consumption and production patterns, fostering environmental protection and economic resilience. The concept is gaining traction globally as a strategy to address resource scarcity and climate change.