What is Circular Economy?

Did you know that Canada ranks #8 among countries with the highest municipal waste production? Despite our reputation for environmental awareness, Canadians produce more waste per person than South Korea and Denmark!

Did you know that Canada ranks #8 among countries with the highest municipal waste production? Despite our reputation for environmental awareness, Canadians produce more waste per person than South Korea and Denmark!

Each year, our nation generates over 25 million tonnes of waste. To put that into perspective, that's equivalent to about 72,000 fully loaded commercial airplanes. Most of this material ends up in landfills without being reused or repurposed.

This is why EFFYDESK, along with many forward-thinking Canadian companies, is committed to supporting a circular economy in everything we do.

Understanding Circular Economy

A circular economy offers a sustainable alternative to the linear economy many of us have grown used to.

Since the early 1950s when plastic products became common, most supply chains have followed a straight path: companies extract natural resources, make products, we use them, and then throw them away. Everything moves in one direction, which is straight to the landfill.

This approach isn't sustainable long-term. Our planet has finite resources, and if we continue with these consumption patterns, we'll eventually run out, while creating mountains of unnecessary waste in the process.

A circular economy changes this pattern by getting maximum value from resources before disposal. This happens through reusing, repurposing, repairing, or recycling products, all of which minimize waste creation while supporting a healthier environment for productive work and living.

Core Principles of Circular Economy

The circular economy model has three main goals:

1. Design out waste and pollution - Create products that can be easily reused, repaired, or recycled
2. Keep products and materials in use - Extend product lifespans through better design and maintenance
3. Regenerate natural systems - Return valuable nutrients to the soil and protect biodiversity

There are two main cycles in a circular economy:

Cycle Type	What It Involves	Examples
Technical	Products designed to be reused, repaired, remanufactured, or recycled	Office furniture, electronics, packaging
Biological	Natural materials that can safely return to the environment	Food scraps, wood, natural fibers

When we apply circular economy principles to economic activity, we create business models that benefit both the environment and the economy. This approach reduces resource extraction and creates new economic opportunities through innovative solutions.

Benefits of a Circular Economy

"Amidst all the upheavals today, we need to keep a calm eye on the road ahead and invest in the economy of the future," said Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, at the World Circular Economy Forum. "An economy that is sustainable, resilient, climate-neutral, and nature-positive. That economy is a circular economy."

A circular economy offers many advantages:

• Reduces Carbon Footprint: Circular approaches can help limit greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the need for virgin materials. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, adopting circular economy principles could cut carbon emissions by 45% by 2030.
• Prevents Pollution: By keeping materials in use, we reduce plastic pollution in our oceans and waterways.
• Creates Business Opportunities: The shift to circular models creates new jobs in recycling, remanufacturing, and repair. Canada's zero-plastic-waste plan could create up to 42,000 jobs by 2030.
• Conserves Natural Capital: Circular activities help preserve forests, soil, water, and air quality by reducing material extraction and waste.

Canada's Progress Toward a Circular Economy

Canada is taking significant steps to move away from a take-make-waste economic model toward more sustainable circular solutions.

Plastic waste is a key focus, as Canadians throw away over 3 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, with only 9% being properly recycled! The government has set an ambitious goal to eliminate single-use plastic waste by 2030.

The Circular Economy Leadership Canada and the Circular Innovation Council are helping businesses adopt circular approaches. These organizations provide resources and guidance for companies looking to reduce their environmental impact while creating sustainable growth.

Several industries are leading the way:

• Furniture industry: Companies like EFFYDESK are creating products from recycled materials
• Construction sector: Using recycled building materials and designing for disassembly
• Automotive industry: Remanufacturing parts and developing better recycling methods
• Fashion industry: Creating clothing from recycled fibers and implementing take-back programs

Digital technologies are playing a crucial role in enabling the circular transition by tracking materials, connecting buyers and sellers of recycled materials, and optimizing resource use.

Simple Ways to Join the Circular Economy

You don't need to be a business owner to participate in the circular economy. Here are practical ways you can help create a more sustainable cycle of products in your daily life:

Reduce Your Waste First

• Decline single-use plastics like straws and bags
• Use reusable containers for your lunch and leftovers
• Sign up for e-statements and e-receipts to reduce paper waste
• Choose products with minimal packaging

Extend Product Lifespans

• Repair items instead of replacing them
• Buy quality products designed to last longer
• Share, borrow, or rent items you don't use often
• Consider buying used or refurbished products

Support Circular Businesses

• Choose products made from recycled materials
• Buy from companies with take-back programs
• Look for certified sustainable products
• Shop at businesses that offer repairs or refurbishment

Close the Loop at Home

• Start composting food scraps to return nutrients to the soil
• Learn which items can be recycled in your area
• Set up separate bins for different recyclable materials
• Find specialty recycling programs for electronics and other hard-to-recycle items

These small changes in your daily habits can have a big impact when combined with the efforts of others. Remember, recycling should be your last option, not your first. The most effective circular economy strategies focus on reducing consumption and reusing items before recycling them.

How EFFYDESK Supports Circular Economy

At EFFYDESK, we're proud to apply circular economy principles to create high-quality, sustainable office furniture that helps you work better while minimizing environmental impact.

Our flagship sustainable product is the TerraDesk, a carbon-negative standing desk that showcases our commitment to circular approaches. Each TerraDesk tabletop saves 10,854 used chopsticks from ending up in landfills!

Key Circular Features of Our Products:

• Recycled Materials: We transform waste into valuable resources, giving materials a second life as functional, beautiful office furniture
• Low-Waste Manufacturing: Our production processes are designed to minimize water waste and reduce fossil fuel consumption
• Sustainable Packaging: We use recyclable packaging materials to reduce our environmental footprint
• Durable Design: Our products are built to last, with a 20-year warranty on many items, keeping materials in use longer
• Eco-Friendly Shipping: We optimize our shipping methods to reduce GHG emissions from transportation

Beyond our products, we're constantly looking for ways to improve our circular practices across all aspects of our business. We believe that creating a more sustainable workspace shouldn't mean compromising on quality, comfort, or productivity.

FAQ About Circular Economy

How does a circular economy differ from recycling?

A circular economy is much broader than recycling. While recycling focuses on processing waste materials, a circular economy aims to prevent waste creation by designing better products, extending their use, and finding new ways to reuse or repurpose them before recycling.

Can circular economy principles save money for businesses?

Yes, adopting circular approaches often reduces costs. Businesses can save money by using fewer raw materials, extending product lifespans, and creating new revenue streams from previously discarded materials or through service-based business models.

How do circular systems impact workplace productivity?

Circular office products often have better design and ergonomics since they're made to last longer. This leads to healthier, more comfortable workspaces that can boost employee productivity and reduce health-related absences.

What role do consumers play in the circular economy transition?

Consumers drive demand for sustainable products and services. By choosing circular products, repairing items, sharing resources, and properly disposing of materials, consumers can accelerate the shift toward a circular economy.

Ready to Create a More Sustainable Workspace?

Taking steps toward a more sustainable workspace helps the environment and creates a healthier, more productive place to work. By choosing circular economy products like our TerraDesk, you're investing in both the planet's future and your own wellbeing.

At EFFYDESK, we design, build, and deliver the best Electric Standing Desks for professional or personal use. Our products help eliminate discomfort, tackle unhealthy habits, spark creativity, and inspire your best work-life, all while supporting circular economy principles.

Our award-winning ergonomic office chairs protect against desk job damage and help maximize efficiency and focus in your workspace, wherever that may be.

Browse our signature Standing Desks, Office Chairs, and Monitor Mounts designed to boost workplace productivity, so you can get more done, more comfortably, while supporting sustainable practices.

To learn more about EFFYDESK's products and services, check out our FAQ page or browse our ergomindfulness blog for more helpful articles on ergonomics and sustainability in the workplace.