Chapter 1
The Linear Economy: Traditional Model

Linear economy traditionally follows the “take-make-use-dispose” step-by-step plan. This means that raw/virgin materials are mined/collected/extracted, and then transformed into usable/consumable products that are then used/consumed until they are no longer needed (not necessarily end of life) and finally discarded as waste.

In a linear economy, resources are extracted as if there are no limits and economic prosperity is the end goal for many businesses. However, this way of operating does not consider our social and environmental values.

Extraction
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Extraction in this context is the action of removing virgin material from the earth.
The extraction of resources refers to the withdrawal of materials from the environment for human use.
- Mining
- Tree felling
- Fishing
- Water
Manufacturing
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Manufacturing is defined as the creation of new products, either from raw materials or components.
Manufacturing is the value addition or creation of goods by employing equipment, labour, machines, tools, and chemical or biological processing that is usually carried out systematically to make a product suitable for use.
- Steel
- Glass
- Chemicals, and plastics
- Food
Assembly
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The assembly operation is the second basic type of manufacturing, by the combination of existing materials, where components are joined together using permanent or semipermanent methods that results in an article or material of a different form.
- Automobiles
- Computers
- Electrical equipment
- Machines
- Furniture
Retail
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Retail is the sale of goods and services to end consumers.
- Traditional brick-and-mortar stores (e.g. Supermarkets, milk bars, household items)
- Online stores (e.g. Amazon, eBay, Catch)
User
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A customer who uses a product or service (e.g. consumer, organisation)
A user is someone who uses, operates, abuses or puts something into action such as a place, facility, product, machine, or service.
- User/driver of an automobile
- Consumer of food
- The operator of a machine
Waste
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Waste is unwanted or unusable materials, any substance or residual that is discarded after primary use, or defective and of no use.
- Household food waste
- Wastewater
- Hazardous material
- Plastic waste

Chapter 2: Creating and Losing Value

Researchfindings

Chapter 1The Linear Economy: Traditional Model

Research
findings

Chapter 1
The Linear Economy: Traditional Model