What the Circular Economy Means for Everyday Things
The circular economy is often described in policy language. Underneath it is a simple question: how long can this thing stay useful?
A working definition
The circular economy is a model of production and consumption built around sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling, so that products and materials stay in use for as long as possible. It is usually summarised in three principles: design out waste and pollution, keep products and materials in use, and regenerate natural systems.
The order of preference
The waste hierarchy ranks options from most to least preferred. In everyday terms:
- Avoid buying what you will not use.
- Use what you have for longer, and repair it.
- Pass it on for reuse.
- Recycle the materials.
- Dispose of it only as a last resort.
Why digital products matter here
Phones, laptops and tablets combine many materials in a small space and are replaced often. Small decisions, such as a new battery instead of a new phone, follow the hierarchy directly.
Recycling is near the bottom of the list, not the top. It is good, but keeping a working device in use is better.
Revised 2026-10-22