Circular Economy: The Path to Sustainable Development and Social Impact

Ethics, Sustainability
and Social Impact

Table of Contents
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
TASK 1. Define and discuss the Circular Economy (CE) referring to the theories from which it
emerged............................................................................................................................................3
Introduction to the report............................................................................................................3
Cradle to Cradle design philosophy of McDonough and Braungart...........................................3
The blue economy systems approach described by Pauli...........................................................4
Circular Economy.......................................................................................................................4
TASK 2. Choose a city in developing Commonwealth country and respond to the following
tasks:................................................................................................................................................5
Introduction to the developing commonwealth country and its city...........................................5
a) Give examples of how the Circular Economy is developing in that city. ..............................6
b) Analyse the progress of the circular economy in that city focusing on the barriers, enabling
factors and opportunities for its growth......................................................................................6
TASK 3. Propose what companies (local and international) and local government can do (and
how and within what time frame) to support the development of the Circular Economy. .............7
Local and International companies working for development of circular economy...................7
Local government working for development of circular economy.............................................8
TASK 4. Report for Commonwealth Local Government Ministers Meeting on key and
recommendations for action.............................................................................................................9
Work done by Commonwealth Local Government Ministers for supporting Circular
Economy.....................................................................................................................................9
Recommendations for the actions that support circular economy .............................................9
REFERNCES:................................................................................................................................10
Books and Journals:..................................................................................................................10

MAIN BODY
TASK 1. Define and discuss the Circular Economy (CE) referring to the
theories from which it emerged.
Introduction to the report
The report is based on how an economy can work remaining in business ethics and
maintaining with sustainability. This has a sustainable social impact on the economy which helps
the country to make a remarkable progress. The study carried on is based on the circular
economy which is helping the country to improve. Along with this the measures and policies that
have been used by the local and international companies and also the measures taken by the local
government in meetings conducted in respective country. The commonwealth is an association
of countries all around the world which were a part of British colonial in the past. There are
various developing commonwealth countries who are working to develop their economic
standards by working with the theories of circular economy (Alshehhi, Nobanee and Khare
2018). Circular economy is developed through several theories which were designed by
philosophers in order to facilitate the working in a better manner. The use of circular economy
works with a model which lays emphasis on production and consumption of raw materials and
finished goods in a sustainable manner which will result as a benefit to both the parties.
Cradle to Cradle design philosophy of McDonough and Braungart
Cradle to Cradle or also called as C2C design is a theory developed and used for
regeneration of the economy. The theory was developed by German chemist Dr Michael
Braungart and American architect William McDonough in 1990. They discusses the design
through which waste products can be used in creating something new and useful rather than
creating large piles of wastes. It works for enriching the ecosystem by reducing toxins and using
biological nutrients which will work as a manure and a help to the ecosystem. This is a reason
that the economy can work within a systematic framework which can work for development of
companies, societies and the environment itself. The circular economy is development of this
philosophy where the worth of resources are maintained by using them optimally. In order to
reduce the pressure on the Mother Earth, waste is minimised by either recycling it or degrading it
to create fertile manure (Bacq and Eddleston 2018). Cradle to Cradle also refers to influencing
the sustainability and using the production without letting it go to the cradle. Unlike Cradle to

Grave, the Cradle to Cradle works for betterment in a cost efficient manner. The circular
economy uses this method so that renewable resources can be preserved and waste management
can be controlled. The philosophers have developed this model by keeping in view the
betterment of society and looking for the ill effects of development in the society. This model
easily applies with other related model to work upon because of its flexible and adaptable nature.
The blue economy systems approach described by Pauli
The model of blue economy system was based on the ZERI (Zero Emissions Research &
Initiative) philosophy. It was developed in he year 2004 by Gunter Pauli. The blue economy
approach is focused and is sufficient of shifting the focus of society from scarcity of resources to
abundance in resources. This works in a unique manner where there is reduced waste in air at the
times of performing research and taking innovative initiatives. The ideas of blue ecosystem
approach as given by Gunter Pauli is based on scientific methods to render resolution in
naturalistic manner (Berdanier, Tang and Cox 2018). The aim of the blue economy system
works in focusing on the local economy by cutting down the costs and bringing cost efficiency in
an organisation. The local community is focused and efforts are laid to improve its working by re
injecting cash and cash inflows in local economy. The emphasis is laid on purchasing local
goods will be a cause that the existing economy will be developed. This functions with the
circular economy in working for the upliftment of the economy. The local products will be
purchased more and more in this approach which will lead cutting down the costs. The reduced
cost can be further used for research and development which will produce goods that are cost
effective and less harmful to the society and its renewable resources. The major view of the blue
economy is only on the small and medium scale businesses whose operations and activities can
be changed. The large organisations are not focused as their operations are very complex and
bringing changes among it becomes too hard.
Circular Economy
The circular economy system was introduced in 1970 as a concept to work with
sustainability. This works for improving the resources and amending their existence. The circular
economy approach was a result of famous Cradle to Cradle theory as developed by architect
William McDonough in his book. The stakeholders, majorly government and the residents are
focused on maintaining and developing the economy so that it is a better place to live in. The
circular economy is based on manufacturing and producing goods in such a manner that they can