The Circular Economy Explained

Here at decent, we say we're part of the circular economy. But what does that really mean? Who's it good for? What does it do for the economy? For the environment? 

So without further ado, let's get into it...

Alright, so what is it?

The Circular Economy means products and materials keep circulating in supply chains, for as long as possible, building on the age-old concept of 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. It helps tackle the global challenges we're facing - climate change, waste and pollution, by keeping things out of landfill and reducing energy outputs. Essentially, it's making things last. 

Why is it good for the environment? 

So many products are created without a second thought as to what happens at the end of their life, and all too often they're going straight to landfill or worse, into our beautiful natural environment like the oceans. By creating a Circular Economy, it means we're reducing the amount of rubbish being sent to landfill and reducing the energy output that's required to break it all down. 

How does decent contribute to a Circular Economy? 

Now this is what we love to talk about.

We use cool plant materials like sugarcane and cornstarch which we turn into coffee cups, napkins, plates, bowls, cutlery, you name it. Disposed of correctly, these are sent to commercial composting facilities. 

Put simply, at these facilities our packaging is broken down in high temperatures (think of it like a big concrete cow). Energy from this process is put back into the National Grid - giving houses around the country electricity. Once broken down, the final product is nutrient-rich compost used for fertilising crops. Crops like sugarcane and corn starch... see where we're going with this? 

And we've done a pretty wee drawing of it to show you what we mean.