Circularize your Business!

As companies and individuals alike try to come up with ways to be more sustainable, environmentally friendly, zero-waste, and work to fight climate change there still remain big barriers to really lead to sustainable practices.

And as business transition to more circular or sustainable methods there are many questions that come up on how that is possible and what they can do to really make a drastic change without loosing the integrity of their products, increase the cost, or the product becomes to expensive to bare the costs.

While each case is different and have to look at vastly different ways to ensure they are doing their part in the world, here are 3 areas that business, both small and large, and start to evaluate to begin to transition to a more circular business (with the idea that labor is already correct).

Supply Chain

One of the first steps is to look at the supply chain. How much waste is produced to create the product that is sold? Where does the product come from (close or far)? What materials are utilized to create the product that may be switched for a different type of product? Can you share the entire supply chain of the product, from the material being created, to the design, transportation, etc? How quickly are products produced?

Life of the product

What is the intent of the product? How long is the product suppose to last? How compostable/biodegradable is the product? Is there alternative uses of the product once it has reached its original end of life cycle? Is there a take-back program or can the product be used for another purpose? Is there a way to extend the life cycle (ex. repairing)? How could this increase/decrease the price? m

Cutting Waste

With the product creation, how may waste be cut? Is there alternative, more natural solutions? How is the product delivered? Is there packaging created? What kind of packaging is used, and why? Does the product need every component? What other materials/items are needed to maintain the product until its sold? How is waste disposed off?