The term circular economy is quickly becoming the new “sustainable,” but there’s still some confusion about what it actually means—and how you can contribute to it. That’s why we’re giving you a quick crash course on circularity and sharing practical tips to help you make an impact. Let’s dive in!
Circular economy 101
In a circular economy, waste doesn’t exist. All resources and products are reused, over and over again. While many people associate circularity with recycling, there are much better ways to support the circular economy.
For example, consider extending the lifespan of products through smart product design. This means designing items to last as long as possible. When a product breaks, it’s repaired, and only when that’s no longer possible, the materials are recycled to create new products.
Sounds a bit theoretical? Let’s make it practical with one super-simple tip to start contributing today.
The ultimate tip: buy less
The clothing industry is growing rapidly, partly because many people treat clothing as disposable. It’s easy to see how fast fashion, with its mass production and quick discard cycles, impacts the environment. According to Milieucentraal, the average Dutch person buys around 50 new clothing items a year. They also calculated that by buying just six fewer pieces annually, you could save at least 40 kg of CO2 emissions.
Curious about the true environmental impact of your clothing? It’s complicated. Factors like land and water use, pollution during production, working conditions, and how you care for and dispose of the item all come into play.
So what’s the smartest thing you can do to minimize your environmental footprint? Buy less. Follow this golden rule: (consu)minder = better! By buying and using less, you consume fewer new resources and energy. Simple, right?
Circular economy in practice
At Feelou, our mission is to contribute to the circular economy by focusing on buying less. Through smart product design, we help women avoid purchasing multiple sizes and types of bras throughout pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond—preventing waste and reducing the need for disposable products.
There are also many other inspiring brands paving the way toward a circular economy by encouraging customers to buy less. Check out Reflower, Tiny Library, and Peerby for inspiration on how to consume differently.