![\"\"](\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/yj9txhsbtbqijcmgl8gz2y197wlqfbqwje7gi3a0wsuv4zgy.png.jpg?w=1140&h=auto\" "\\"62804560\\"")
One of our founding principles at SecondSurf.co.uk has been to try to help transform the sustainability of the watersports industry. While researching this area, I kept coming across the term \u2018Circular Economy\u2019. I wanted to share with you what I\u2019ve learnt and why I think it\u2019s an important concept for us as individuals, the watersports industry and the planet!<\/p>
To understand where the idea of a circular economy came from, it\u2019s first useful to consider the alternatives!<\/p>
\u00a0The simplest way of doing things, or, to keep things geometric, the \u2018linear economy\u2019<\/strong>, describes the basic process of manufacturing, selling, using and finally disposing of products;<\/p> Make, sell, chuck, repeat!<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote> \u00a0Until the 1950\u2019s and 60\u2019s this seemed to be working reasonably well! So what\u2019s changed?<\/p> \u00a0Firstly, back then the world population was much smaller, so naturally disposal of waste was a more manageable issue. Secondly, the products that were built were usually made to last. But then the population grew rapidly, and this coincided with a shift towards a \u2018throwaway culture\u2019. We couldn\u2019t keep up with the amount of waste being generated and regrettably things quite literally piled up! We\u2019ve seen huge amounts of plastics and non-degradable materials ending up in landfill and in our oceans, and it became clear we had to rethink the whole process!<\/p> The thought of re-engineering old objects into useful new objects; the \u2018recycling economy<\/strong>\u2019, is not new! Amazingly, the first documented evidence of recycling activities dates back to paper recycling in Japan, in 1031<\/strong>! The incentive back then was a bit different \u2013 historically manufacturing new goods was lengthy and raw materials were costly. However, over the last half of the 20th century raw materials and manufacturing became much cheaper. It often became more cost effective to make new, rather than to fix or recycle, partly prompting the throwaway culture!<\/p> Fortunately, as environmental pressures started to build, a new incentive for recycling was found, and many parts of the world have seen increasing rates of recycling over the last 20 years.<\/p> However, according to a 2016 report from the UK\u2019s environment agency, we are still set to run out of landfill space entirely by 2024! Of course, not all materials are recyclable, and it\u2019s clear recycling is only part of the solution and we\u2019re still not doing enough to tackle our growing waste problems.<\/p> Plan Sea? <\/strong>The Circular Economy<\/p> \u00a0So, how else can we reduce waste? The circular economy refers to a completely closed loop system to dramatically reduce (if not eliminate) waste, pollution and carbon emissions. It goes beyond recycling to look at every possible step in the process to maximise the use of materials. It often does this by adopting very simple and every-day concepts like re-use, sharing, recycling, refurbishment, upcycling and remanufacturing.<\/p> \u00a0The circular economy has deep-rooted origins in academic and small progressive circles since the late 1970s, but this idea of a circular economy has only recently started to gain mainstream traction. Now a common term in both environmental circles and boardrooms alike, this is the latest step towards the goal to completely eliminate waste.<\/p> \u00a0 How does all this relate to watersports?<\/strong><\/p> From discussions we\u2019ve had with a range of watersports companies it\u2019s clear these issues are high on the agenda, and great strides are being taken. A good example of this over the last couple of years has been the move away from single use plastic packaging by many of the top brands!<\/p> Another amazing example of ingenuity, fully embracing the concept of the circular economy, is the work by our friends at Ocean Recovery Project and their project creating kayaks out of recycled marine plastics with Odyssey Innovation! You can check out more about this awesome project here<\/a>!\u00a0<\/p> One elephant in the room remains - that much of the equipment we all enjoy using is made from long-lasting and non-recyclable composite materials. Again, based on exciting discussions with some of the industry leaders it\u2019s likely only a matter of time until there\u2019s real innovation in this area too and the sustainability of the products themselves will improve!<\/p> So, what can we all do going forward? At SecondSurf<\/a> we\u2019re building the first online community purpose built for buying and selling second hand watersports kit, while supporting ocean protecting charities in the process \u2013 making it as easy as possible us to follow these principles!<\/strong><\/p> Join us today on Instagram<\/a>\u00a0or Facebook<\/a> and let us know your thoughts!<\/p> Buy. Sell. Support our Oceans<\/strong><\/p> Matt Here's some further reading if you\u2019re interested!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>
Plan A - <\/strong>The linear economy<\/p>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/rqxevk5jho5axu1vy7uloal9jfptxg8ajy6hyg3sn4b1nile.png.jpg?w=1140&h=auto\" "\\"62807101\\"")
Plan B - <\/strong>the Recycling Economy<\/p>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/0tdn19uv8lknhz6pndmxltilxncszgedgcaqpqskpikh0nfe.png.jpg?w=1140&h=auto\" "\\"62804664\\"")
\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/opkeax0myyxiddfpjlr8tszr6c8rduskdw9qbxmkndpdvzpx.png.jpg?w=1140&h=auto\" "\\"62805048\\"")
<\/p>
<\/strong>Just like everyone else, we all like a new piece of kit to play with every now and then! But, by stopping to think about the principles of the Circular Economy, we all hold great collective power in the decisions we make and the actions we take!\u00a0
For instance, we can all help by buying second-hand when we can, repairing or selling on our old kit, supporting ethical and sustainable companies, buying good quality kit that will last longer and hold it\u2019s re-sale value and supporting some of the amazing charities and projects out there working tirelessly to address these problems head on.<\/p>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/images.teemill.com\/nxflvxga30pgqhuayurdkp5qqr0g5cjuvgnxxrlb9b8ucwjr.png.jpg?w=1140&h=auto\" "\\"62805994\\"")
<\/p>
Co-founder, SecondSurf<\/p>
<\/p>