Figure 6
The illustration compares the linear economy and the circular economy. On the left, the linear economy is depicted as a unidirectional process involving resource extraction, production, consumption, and waste disposal. It highlights economic dependency on finite resources and the end-of-pipe waste result, focusing on managing waste through landfilling or incineration without material recovery or value retention. On the right, the circular economy is shown as a regenerative closed-loop system. It includes production, consumption, and various value retention processes such as repair, reuse, refurbish, remanufacture, and recycle. The circular economy aims to decouple economic growth from resource extraction, converting production into a closed system where resources are treated as assets to be preserved. The hierarchy of value retention processes is also illustrated, emphasizing smarter use and manufacture, lifespan extension, and useful material deployment.Linear economy versus circular economy process