We extract more than 100 billion tonnes of raw materials from Earth each year, then throw most of them away. The “circular economy” offers a different approach: instead of the linear “take-make-waste” model, we could reuse, repair and recycle materials. But despite growing enthusiasm for a circular lifestyle, we’re actually moving backwards—and using more virgin resources than ever.
The hard truth about the circular economy—real change will take more than refillable bottles
