The much-discussed model of the circular economy promises to reward nature-loving economies, not just with karma points, but with hard economic facts. Have we found the blueprint for a fair economy that combines economic, ecological and social profit?
It has become established in our society to combine sustainable action and economic activity with renunciation and inefficiency. The European Commission, however, estimates that a successful implementation of the circular economy EU-wide by 2030 savings of 600 billion euros and two million new jobs would entail. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation even anticipates savings of 2025 billion euros by 630. Even if there is no clear agreement on the exact extent of the benefit, everyone agrees: the circular economy is one great economic opportunity for companies and closely linked to the leasing economy.
The profit is no longer generated solely through the sale of the first edition, but from the service offer of use.
Our starting point is that every product (especially packaging) is a material depot – i.e. a raw material reserve for the future. To ensure this, we need a fundamentally different organization of our economy, starting with new ones Business models, other product design and consistent registration of materials. Unlike recycling and initiatives like the Green Dot, we believe that the key to change lies with the companies themselves.
The principle of the circular economy is based on this with the idea of a completely regenerative, global supply and trade chain that does not use finite resources. The aim is to always keep the utility and value of all products, parts and materials at the highest possible standard so that they can be repaired, refurbished and reused instead of ending up in landfill.
About 43 years ago, the Swiss architect Walter Stahel presented the solution to today's problems of our linear thinking society and the exploitation of natural resources in his book "Economics in Circulations". In 2019, the concept of Walter Stahel - now a long-standing advisor to the EU Commission - as the decisive structural change in our society as the most important pillar in the European Green Deal (European Green Deal).
The linear manufacturing society is like a river: She lives from the sale of her goods and is driven by fashion, emotions and progress, her success is measured by the flow rate and is recorded in national statistics down to the smallest detail.
Economic activity in cycles is like a lake: Its motor is benefit optimisation, its success is measured by the increase in quality and quantity of stocks of manufactured goods and natural, human and cultural capital, which are hardly recorded statistically.
This concept is also supported by the motto of the managing director of PAPACKS, Mr. Tahsin Dag: "There is always a solution! Everything that is imaginable is also feasible.”
What was considered impossible just a few years ago has now been proven by two innovative pioneers. Acting regionally, environmentally consciously and efficiently is not only possible, but also advantageous. Three players rely on the circular economy and convert their supply systems into highly efficient cycles that enable the raw material to be used multiple times.
EUROPEAN COMMISSION, DG ENVIRONMENT MARCH 2020
Effectiveness of the Essential Requirements for Packaging and Packaging Waste and Proposals for Reinforcement, Appendices - Contract No ENV.F.1 / FRA / 2014/0063
Complete report as PDF download
Modern pulp molding solution where secondary natural fibers are molded into different formats
Case study publication by the EU Commission on the effectiveness of the basic requirements for packaging and packaging waste
Natural fibers as raw material
Molded fiber tray with bottles
Pallet loading with trays
