1.7

A Critical Look at the Circular Economy

The Circular Economy is widely promoted as a sustainable solution, but it faces significant critiques and implementation barriers. The podcast epsiode below explores how different researchers and experts question the Circular Economy’s definitions, practicalities, and actual environmental and social contributions, highlighting its complexities and potential shortcomings despite its widespread appeal.

The podcast in this step was created with Google NotebookLM, with human selection of sources and quality check, with NotebookLM putting together the actual conversation with AI voices. You can also listen to YouTube here.

Further reading, learning and references

Marino, G. (2023). Circular Washing: How to Recognise it to Avoid it. RENEWABLE MATTER #42 – 2022 Circular Services [online] https://www.renewablematter.eu/en/circular-washing-how-to-recognise-it-to-avoid-it

Grafström, J. and Aasma, S. (2020). Breaking Circular Economy Barriers. Ratio Working Paper, No. 338. Stockholm: The Ratio Institute https://cms.ratio.se/app/uploads/2020/08/working-paper-no-338-1.pdf

© Daniel Mossberg, CEMUS, Uppsala University and Sonali Phadke, studio Alternatives and Stephanie Foote