I am not sure if this should add to the definition project above. But it is for sure an important point for us I think:
Cicular Economy is an idea for an economy where we don’t have to invade other countries because of their resources and murder little children via drone strikes and seed hatred that will translate into terror, repression and unfreedom for the whole world.
Hi, I made a first german translation of Draft 0.2 for the statutes. Helped to make some things shorter.
It is always hard to express complex things short, precise, easy to understand and elegantly at the same time. To german speakers: I am happy about suggestions.
–
Circular Economy im Sinne des Vereins ist ein Ansatz für die Gestaltung von Gütern, Systemen und Zusammenarbeit für eine sozial, ökologisch und ökonomisch wirklich nachhaltige Wirtschaft.
Lineare Abläufe, die mit der Ressourcenextraktion für die Produktion und den Konsum von Gütern beginnen und mit deren abschließenden Entsorgung als Müll enden, werden durch (regenerative) Kreisläufe ersetzt, bei denen alle Endprodukte von Prozessen immer zu fruchtbaren Eingangsstoffen für neue Prozesse werden, und somit nie Müll entsteht.
Die Circular Economy agiert in produktiver und sich wechselseitig bewahrender und fördernder Synergie mit der Biosphäre und zukünftigen Generationen und sieht diese nicht als auszubeutende Ressourcenquelle. Externalisierungen, Überkonsum und Rebound-Effekte werden mit ganzheitlichem Systemdenken und -design vermieden.
Die Circular Economy setzt – da wo es Sinn macht für die Erreichung ihrer Ziele – auf lokale vor globale Abläufe und kurze Feedback-Loops, sowie auf Langlebigkeit, Reparierbarkeit, Kompatibilität, Ausbaufähigkeit und leichte Auseinandernehmbarkeit von Gütern sowie Standardisierung. Eingesetzte Materialien sind entweder durch technisches Recycling vollständig und ohne Qualitätsverlust wiedergewinnbar oder können als biologische Nährstoffe fungieren, entlässt man sie in die Umwelt.
Die Circular Economy bevorzugt faire und freie Umgebungen für Menschen zum Leben und Arbeiten, die ihr Vermögen, an der Erfüllung ihrer Bedürfnisse zu arbeiten und frei, selbstbestimmt und kreativ an der Erfindung, Entwicklung und Aufrechterhaltung einer Circular Economy teilzunehmen, nicht einschränken.
##UPDATE:
For the statutes the version above was too long. So i took some time, to create a shorter one, that still captures somehow most of the long one above.
Circular Economy im Sinne des Vereins bezeichnet einen Ansatz für die Gestaltung von Gütern, Prozessen und Zusammenarbeit zur Erreichung einer wirklich nachhaltigen Wirtschaft. Die Circular Economy arbeitet in wechselseitig bewahrender und fördernder Synergie mit der Biosphäre und zukünftigen Generationen. Wichtigste Eigenschaft hierfür ist die Herstellung und der Betrieb geschlossener Stoffkreisläufe. Alles ist so gestaltet, dass sämtliche Endprodukte eines Prozesses immer als nützliche Eingangsstoffe für andere Prozesse dienen können; Müll gibt es damit nicht mehr. Für die Erreichung ihrer Ziele stärkt die Circular Economy eine Reihe von Techniken und Strategien wie die Bevorzugung einfacher Feedback-Loops und lokaler vor globaler Abläufe, Reparierbarkeit, Anpassbarkeit, Aufwertbarkeit und leichte Auseinandernehmbarkeit von Gütern, Gebrauch und Entwicklung von Standards, Einsatz technisch vollständig recycelbarer oder toxikologisch-unbedenklich bioabbaubarer Materialien, sowie die Unterstützung fairer und freier Lebens- und Arbeitsumgebungen für Menschen.
*Ein paar kleine Verbesserugsvorschläge, v.a. um Nominalisierungen zu vermeiden, die Texte immer etwas schwer lesbar machen * (fett) und zwei wichtige Punkte, die beim Kürzen verloren gegangen waren.
Circular Economy im Sinne des Vereins bezeichnet einen Ansatz,
Güter, Prozesse und Zusammenarbeit so zu gestalten, dass eine
wirklich nachhaltige Wirtschaft entsteht. Die Circular Economy arbeitet in
bewahrender und fördernder Synergie mit der Biosphäre, damit sie auch für
zukünftige Generationen lebenswert bleibt. Die Hauptherausfoderung hierbei ist es, geschlossene Stoffkreisläufe herzustellen und zu betreiben, in denen sämtliche Endprodukte eines Prozesses immer als nützliche Eingangsstoffe für andere Prozesse dienen können. Das Konzept von ‘Müll’ oder ‘Abfall’ wird damit abgeschafft. Um diese Ziele** zu erreichen,** stärkt die Circular Economy eine Reihe von Techniken und Strategien:
I changed the grammar of some sentences in @Lars2i German version to make it more readable and added some details that went missing in the shortening process. Here’s what is says now (in a quick translate, please excuse awkward phrasing):
Circular Economy is an approach of designing goods, processes and collaboration in such a way that they create a truely sustainable economy. The Circular Economy works in a preserving and nurturing synergy with the biosphere to keep a livable environment for future generations. The main challenge in this is to create and sustain closed cycles of matter in which all the outputs of all processes feed as useful input into others. The concept of ‘waste’ or ‘garbage’ is made obsolete. In order to reach these goals, the Circular Economy promotes a range of techniques and strategies:
while peace is a social order we certainly strive for I would not go as far as dreaming that a circular economy will bring it about. But I do hope that it will make it much easier for future generations to not go to war as ressources will not be scarce any more (though they still may be unevenly allocated).
Ah, great Maike.
The Statutes are at the Finanzamt (finance authorities) to check for tax-free status right now in this version:
OSCE-e.V. SATZUNG zur Prüfung - Nov2015.pdf (31.2 KB)
There i changed the wording already a bit. But your corrections are good. And we can add it to the final version once we got feedback from the Finanzamt.
@sharmarval (and @Lars2i) I think we shall join forces and move twds #SE (Spiral Economy aka @tomazdiez) tbd // Note: a lot of the ‘circular’ thinking stuff feels still too much like ‘Flatland’ 
literally kinda blah tbd
move and join OSCE forces = #SE (Spiral Economy aka @tomasdiez tbd (beyond ‘circular’ ‘Flatland’ tbd
OSCE = yes, however drop C (beyond circle is spiral:) it’s open-with-value = > SE #SpiralEconomy
aka fibonacci style
Quick copy of a definition @Silvia uses in her workshops. Maybe some of this can be edited in:
Industrial model designed and managed around circular flows of resources, products, processes that are
Renewable, long-lasting, high value
Low carbon, low entropy, low waste
Non-toxic, clean, nourishing, healthy
The concept was developed in industrial ecology and prescribes industry as a human-made ecosystem operating on the same principles as the natural ecosystem
###EMF has updated their definition
While I am on this again as promised I noticed that the EMF has changed their definition. I think it used to be:
“A circular economy is one that is restorative and regenerative by design, and which aims to keep products, components and materials at their highest utility and value at all times, distinguishing between technical and biological cycles.”
But now it is:
Looking beyond the current "take, make and dispose” extractive industrial model, the circular economy is restorative and regenerative by design. Relying on system-wide innovation, it aims to redefine products and services to design waste out, while minimising negative impacts. Underpinned by a transition to renewable energy sources, the circular model builds economic, natural and social capital.
As one of the reasons to create our own definition was that we did not like the one by the EMF … how is the new one?
Better, but I prefer our definition, we can adapt it to include people, but I insist that we use sustainable and synergy/symbiosis. If we are to use somebody else’s definition, let’s choose some other organization, non-corporate based.
Metabolic’s is better:
The circular economy is a new economic model for addressing human needs and fairly distributing resources without undermining the functioning of the biosphere or crossing any planetary boundaries.
##Definition Vs 0.3
Here are some thoughts and ideas on the definition. Written already in the shape of a blogpost. The text is also in my blog where it is much easier to read (better formatting).
META: The headlines are a summary or very short version. A suggestion for new definition is between large green bars in the second half of the text.
The OSCEdays Stewards are looking into creating a new definition for “Circular Economy” to build a base for the future. I was put in charge to push this project. And while I was on it I had some insights.
#The existing definitions do not reflect what we want.
Why do we want a new definition? Because we were not happy with the existing ones – provided by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation for example. They lack statements about sustainability and do not include social factors. They don’t represent what we want to work/fight for.
But what is this?
I think we should be clear, that the world and humanity can survive without a circular economy or sustainability. Sure, likely the planet will be much darker. But humans are good at getting used to things. And happy moments are possible even in weird circumstances. So it is not about “survival”.
But what we are for?
I think it is “beauty”. We want beauty! We want to live on a planet we find beautiful. But beauty is of course something subjective. Here is what I grasp is the common ground in our little open group on beauty:
We like a nature and biosphere that is rich in structure. What is alive in species and biotopes today we want to see alive also in the future. Free and abundant!
We are not afraid of complexity. And we think that being respectful, humble, open, caring and enabling to the things around us is key to this No 1.
We want a tolerant plural society in which humans can feel save and express themselves freely in a growing, complex, sustainable world.
The second point – being humble and caring – is a logical consequence of the first one – preserve diversity. The third one just restates number one and two for society.
So everything in one sentence: I think we want – and this is maybe our “circular economy” – a world:
###“… where systems are designed in order to let the possibilities for as many other systems grow – short and long term (biological and technical systems).”
The sentence might not be too good. But it is clear: It is about caring, thinking ahead (about consequences) and try not to undermine the ability to exist for all things on earth. And existing means to be able to develop.
I think this is what we want to see expressed in our definition of “Circular Economy”. (And we think “circular economy” is the right approach because a lot of the techniques that are usually connected to it look promising for this goal.)
#But What We Want is not necessarily best called “Circular” Economy.
But let’s step back for a moment and admit that with this we are creating maybe more a mission or vision statement than a definition. (Update: This is also true for the great CE definition of Metabolic ) And: If you agree so far – at least mostly – you have to admit: It does not make too much sense to call this “circular”.
This is also “circular” (graph 1):
Creation, Use 1, Use 2, Trash. One loop is already a “circle”.
And this circle indeed implies that the product arrives at the same point twice – the same facility or company. And this would really be about the consolidation of ownership, control and power of existing companies. And it is not difficult to argue that this is not necessarily about sustainability and enabling more diversity.
Is “circular economy” really the right term to express a vision of an enriched world?
#We should continue to say “Circular Economy”.
Stay with me for a moment in the argument. I will not end with suggesting to discard “Circular Economy” and replace it with a new term.
But just for the sake of insight follow me through the next paragraph:
#But take a moment to understand that “Spiral” or something like it is/could be better.
One idea for a better term to grasp what we want could be “spiral economy”. @Grit posted that idea on the OSCEdays forum quoting Tomas Diez and also people from Fablab Berlin used it when they told me about the Fab City project. A quick Google search brought this article by 100%Open up.
A spiral (or funnel) could better express that ideally each activity in the system increases the number of possibilities for everything after. There is constant change and iteration – to the better.
Each action increases the number of possibilities for all actors in the system.
Something like this could be very inspiring! If you think about something “circular” it does not sound like too much fun. It sounds like you have the same amount of things you had before. But “spiral” means you have more afterwards! This is probably more appealing to larger audiences! Mainstreamy!
But “spiral” doesn’t work too good either. It is not really catchy. Or logical. What is the “line” in the spiral? It is even less self explanatory than “circular economy”. It is not the poster child for a successful marketing campaign.
How about a “plus” … or “future” … “plurality” … “surplus” … “total options” … “emerging possibilities” . economy … Ah naargh! No! None of this is doing the job … (small update: see reprise for another idea)
How to express the idea of growing options that do not harm existing options visually? Or even in words? I don’t know. This one is not doing the job either – But it would be great to have something that expresses the core idea: Do only something where you have a at least more than 2 or X good ideas what happens next with it. Always!
The term “Circular” economy isn’t perfect. But we would need a term that is magnitudes better in expressing our “idea of beauty” to make it worth wile and a probable success to push for a change. And it would be stupid to make the whole field more complicated with another term. So let’s stick with “circular” and try to load our ideas as meaning into it.
And this is somehow natural. Let’s jump to the next angle to look at this:
#So let’s Define our “Circular” Economy like a “Spiral” Economy.
If you look at this picture one more time (the circle with just one loop).
This is not a circular “economy”! It is a circular process! Or rather a circular step in an otherwise linear process.
An “economy” is something other than a single process. It is an immeasurable high number of processes that are dynamically intertwined with each other to an unbelievable degree of complexity! There is change all the time.
In a dynamic environment how to make sure that one process will be able to close a loop? You have to make it fit to connect to as many other processes as possible – so it get’s at least likely an actual loop is realized! The more connection options a process has the more likely it is that a connection can be found. If your output is “oxygen” you will be fine.
In other words: Your processes and systems need to be designed in a way that their outputs are useful for many other and different processes and systems. Or in even other words:
###“… in order to let the possibilities for as many other systems grow – short and long term (biological and technical systems).”
Because our economy is dynamic and complex this is the only viable strategy if you really want to make circles happen. And this is basically the same as our vision/idea of beauty 
And one strategy to make it likely that your process finds another one to connect is not to destroy other processes or systems – because this would undermine unexpected use®s. Add. Don’t take away.
And another strategy is of course Open Source – as it provides the information necessary to find a process and the legal opportunity to use it.
Ok. Well. Then let’s put all of this into our definition. And add open source right there. And make sure we are talking about a global circular economy. If we spin the definition like this it could turn out like this:
#Definition 0.3
A Circular Economy is an economy where systems are designed in order to let the possibilities for as many other systems grow as possible – short and long term (biological and technical systems).
To reach this goal it favors and explores – where it makes sense to reach it – concepts, techniques and strategies like:
- circular flows of resources, products and processes;
The list is something to debate and the structure and language needs to be polished up, yes.
But how about the general spin? Could it work? Let people have this understanding when they think about “Circular Economy”.
What do you think?
###UPDATE: Reprise
(sorry there is a tiny more.)
A part of my brain of course still thinks about an alternative word for “circular”. I have another idea. I don’t advocate for it (it did not feel like a Eureka moment). But I still want to share it – because it is interesting!
The best replacement word I found so far is “Pre-Use” – The Pre-Use Economy. This is probably why I am so enthusiastic about the term ever since I heard it. It expresses the whole idea that you should have at least one other idea about an alternative future “use” of something before you start using it that is not throw it into the garbage. Pre-Use invites complexity and to think ahead and to think about others (because why should you be the one doing the next use?) It is a basic operation that can be spread to everything: You pre-use the planet and nature!
And what makes it so interesting: If everyone would include this BASIC OPERATION on a daily bases – for example in a shape like:
###Don’t do anything before you don’t have at least 3 positive ideas about what happens afterwards with it.
– a circular economy would emerge very quickly.°
–––
° The techniques and tools from the definition above would help to discover these 3 positive uses.
(And btw. IPO Tables could be a great tool to make this 3 positive ideas visible.)
ping @BoST
This – the Pre-Use Economy bit – reminds me a bit on the 2000 movie “Pay It Forward”
“In the movie the 12-year-old Trevor creates a plan that will change the world for the better. Trevor’s plan is a charitable program based on the networking of good deeds. He calls his plan “pay it forward”, which means the recipient of a favor does a favor for three others rather than paying the favor back.”
I like the idea of having such a “rule” in a definition. (It might be somehow the response to @Nikusha “wolf in the park” question.)
All the above will be a perfect introduction to our upcoming OSCE Guide to be published in 2018. I want to see this project through.
