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Every object we produce has its own life cycle, from the very concept, to obtaining materials, manufacturing and use, to the end of the life cycle, when the object is no longer useful.
Material or material loops are circuits of products, larger parts or materials that are collected and reused or recycled. If such loops are formed in the local environment, we talk about local material loops.
By forming local material loops we:
reduce the consumption of natural resources,
reduce waste production,
encourage the development of the local economy,
create new jobs in the local environment.
A linear economy plans the life cycle of an object in such a way that natural resources are exploited, materials are consumed to make them, and after use the product is discarded. This kind of linear concept of the life goal of materials is also called "from birth to grave" ("Cradle to Grave"), or an open material loop. A linear economy is not sustainable, as we do not have unlimited sources of materials, and the amount of waste is increasing every year due to the increase in population and consumption habits.
Therefore, concepts of circular economy are being introduced, where systems and processes work regeneratively, according to the principle of "rebirth" or "from cradle to cradle" ("Cradle to Cradle"). In this type of closed material loops, the entire product cycle is planned during product design in such a way that it maintains its useful value all the time and that the product can be used again and again, or at least for as long as possible. The goal is to maintain the value of the products within the economic framework and without the production of waste.
In Slovenia, we started separate waste collection in 2004 (Source: Arso, SOER). By 2022, we will have mostly conquered the separate waste collection system, however, individuals often confuse separate waste collection with the term recycling.
There are several ways of using waste, for example:
reuse – when the object is used in the same form for the same or a different purpose,
»downcycling«, where the value of the original material/object is reduced,
»recycling« or recycling where the value of the original material/object is maintained,
»upcycling« where we improve the value of the original material/object.
Recycling at home is almost impossible. Complete material loops, where materials can be recycled almost indefinitely, are rare. The most well-known closed material loop is the recycling of glass.
