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The evolving concept of circularity: from a circular economy to a circular society in 60 years

In: Regions, Cities and the Circular Economy

Author

Listed:
  • Jette Raasens
  • Eveline van Leeuwen

Abstract

The circular economy is increasingly contested by researchers and activists, as it runs the risk of being used for greenwashing for economic activities that might be (only) partly more efficient, but still promote a global increase in material use. It is to a large extent reliant on recycling - a loop that does not affect the amount of demand, as the others do, but only deals with some of the consequences. Also, it does not really affect the producers, merely the consumers. Unlike a circular economy, a circular society involves all players in society. It aims at redistributing costs and benefits of production and consumption in a fair way, within planetary boundaries both now and in the future. In this chapter, the evolution of the concept of circularity between the 1960s and 2020s is described, resulting in a recommendation to view the circular economy as an essential part of a much-needed circular society.

Suggested Citation

  • Jette Raasens & Eveline van Leeuwen, 2024. "The evolving concept of circularity: from a circular economy to a circular society in 60 years," Chapters, in: Sébastien Bourdin & André Torre & Eveline van Leeuwen (ed.), Regions, Cities and the Circular Economy, chapter 2, pages 44-60, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    • Handle: RePEc:elg:eechap:22532_2
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    File URL: https://www.elgaronline.com/doi/10.4337/9781035316410.00008
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