"In my understanding, circularity happens when everything that goes into a product can also be recovered from it. However, just like a perpetuum mobile, true circularity is impossible. We can never fully reclaim the energy used in production, nor can we deconstruct and reconstruct all materials with 100 percent efficiency.

I like to envision circularity not as a perfect circle, but as a spiral. To illustrate this, take a look at the logo of this podcast. A product begins at the center: materials and energy flow into its creation. Then it spirals outward, the product is used, completing a cycle. When it’s repaired, refurbished, or deconstructed, it enters another loop. This next spiral might be very close to the previous one, making it more circular.

But if there’s no potential for another use, no third cycle, the next spiral moves further outward, away from true circularity. The greater the distance between these spirals, the further we drift from a circular economy. Each missed loop means more wasted materials and greater environmental impact."