ELI5: What is the circular economy

The circular economy is like playing with LEGOs: instead of throwing them away after you're done building, you take them apart and use them to build something new.

Imagine you have a toy car. In a normal, "take-make-dispose" economy, you play with it until it breaks, then you throw it away and buy a new one. That’s like a straight line. The circular economy tries to turn that line into a circle.

Here's how it works in everyday life:

• Designing things to last: Instead of making cheap toys that break easily, companies make things that are strong and can be fixed. Think of a sturdy wooden toy instead of a flimsy plastic one.
• Repairing and reusing: When your toy car breaks, instead of throwing it away, you try to fix it. Maybe you can glue a wheel back on or find a replacement part. This is like fixing your clothes instead of buying new ones.
• Sharing and renting: Instead of everyone owning their own toy car, maybe you can borrow one from a toy library or share one with your friends. This is like renting a bike instead of buying one.
• Recycling: If you really can't fix the toy car, you take it apart and recycle the plastic and metal so they can be used to make something new. This is like recycling your paper and bottles.