What Exactly is the Circular Economy? Unraveling the Sustainable Concept

Sam Coggin • July 1, 2023

Welcome to the world of the circular economy, a new model that's reshaping how we view goods and services. This approach could be the key to striking a balance between our needs and our planet's health.


What Exactly is the Circular Economy?


In the bustling world of market economies, we're used to a "buy-use-discard" system, which leans heavily on mass production. The circular economy challenges this by promoting sharing, reusing, repairing, and recycling. Here, when a product ends its life, its materials are repurposed for new beginnings.


Watch this video created by the Ellen Macarthur Foundation back in 2020 with Ellen MacArthur and Joe Iles talking through the various loops on the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's "butterfly diagram".

Why Should We Care?


  1. Planet-Friendly Approach: Adopting this model can reduce the strain on our natural resources, minimise environmental damage, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
  2. Conserving Resources: The word economy revolves around the constant demand for raw materials. Recycling through a circular system reduces this pressure, stabilising our national economy and reducing import reliance.
  3. Financial Gains: Embracing the circular economy can lead to new business opportunities, encourage innovation, and save money for consumers.


The European Union Takes the Lead


The EU recognises the potential of the circular economy in influencing the national economy and market economies worldwide. They've been introducing initiatives to champion sustainable product designs and reduce waste, aiming for a fully circular system by 2050.


Spotlight: Office Furniture


Consider an office revamp. Usually, old furniture gets discarded. But companies today are leaning into the circular model, opting to reuse, refurbish or recycle such items, which not only minimises waste but also aids local small business community.


A Global Perspective


With a growing global awareness, the circular economy is about more than just recycling. It's about changing the mass production mindset of market economies. Modern technology, like AI and blockchain, aids this transition, helping to trace products throughout their life cycle, ensuring they contribute positively to the world economy.


Joining the Movement: Countries and Corporates


Various countries and leading corporations are integrating the circular economy into their operations. For instance, Google has ambitious plans aligned with carbon-neutral goals for 2030.


Businesses, Individuals, and Their Role


Within this economy, businesses adapt by leasing goods and services instead of selling them, like car-sharing or furniture renting. For individuals, this means making sustainable choices and supporting companies that prioritise circularity.


Facing the Challenges


Like any significant shift, transitioning to a circular economy in market economies poses challenges. Established systems often rely on linear, mass production models. To embrace circularity, infrastructural, technological, and business model changes are vital.


Charting the Path Forward


The momentum towards a circular economy in the national and world economy is evident. While obstacles exist, the promise of a sustainable future where economic growth and environmental responsibility coexist is tantalising.


In the circular economy, every product is given an opportunity for rebirth.

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Why Buying Cheap Costs More: The Long-Term Value of Quality Refurbished Furniture

By Ida Gorecka • July 30, 2025
You’re in the middle of planning an office space. Budgets are tight. Lead times are short. It’s tempting to type “cheap office chairs” into your browser and find something that fits the spreadsheet. But here’s the problem: cheap furniture is rarely cheap in the long run . The market is saturated with budget desks, chairs, and storage that look good online, but fall apart in practice. And when they do, they cost more - more to replace, more to dispose of, more to fix (if that’s even possible), and more in lost time and productivity. It’s a vicious cycle that undermines your budget, timeline, and any potential ESG goals. According to WRAP , the UK disposes of over 200,000 tonnes of office furniture every year - much of it barely used. When furniture fails quickly, so does your investment. In a commercial setting, that failure shows up in missed deadlines, spiralling budgets, and sustainability goals slipping out of reach. So before you hit "order" on another bulk buy of flat-packed furniture, take a moment. In this article, you'll learn the hidden costs of cheap office furniture and why refurbished premium office furniture is the smarter alternative. If you're looking to reduce hassle, save money, and build a workspace that actually lasts, keep on reading. Need help getting started? Get in touch with our team for advice, audits, or to browse our refurbished stock .

Refurbished Office Furniture Saves Overbury Over £2000 on Site Setup Costs

By Ida Gorecka • July 18, 2025
Anyone who's worked in construction knows that site setup costs can quickly spiral. For Overbury , one of the UK's leading fit-out and refurbishment specialists, managing these costs while maintaining professional standards is a constant balancing act. When setting up their latest construction site office, they faced a challenge familiar to many in the industry: creating a functional workspace quickly and cost-effectively. After seeing what we achieved together on their previous project, Overbury approached us with clear priorities - they needed a professional office setup delivered on a construction timeline. With tight deadlines to meet and costs to manage, they needed their office space ready quickly while avoiding the expense and environmental impact of buying new office furniture. Like many construction projects, this one came with complex requirements - specific layouts, tight timelines, and budget constraints - yet Overbury knew from experience that refurbished office furniture could deliver exactly what they needed.

From Purchase to Repurpose: How to Extend the Lifespan of Your Office Furniture

By Ida Gorecka • July 16, 2025
If you're managing an office move, refit, or hybrid transition, you've likely faced this question: do we buy new furniture, or make use of what we have? Every year, over 1.2 million desks and 1.8 million office chairs are sent to landfill in the UK- enough to fill Wembley Stadium twice. ( Source: WRAP ) With Landfill Tax raised to £126.15 per tonne in April 2025 (S ource: UK Government ), the cost of disposing office furniture is increasing fast. If you’re trying to balance budgets , meet ESG goals , and minimise downtime , choosing refurbishment over replacement could be the most strategic decision you make this year. In this guide, we’ll show you how to get more from what you already own. Saving thousands, supporting your ESG goals, and creating a more flexible, future-proof workspace. Got a project coming up? Get in touch and we’ll help you explore your refurbishment options.