Green Economics

In the last article, we looked at ways that laptops can be reused thus helping us reduce e-waste.

Continuing on that note, in this article, we’ll examine how Hendricks Foundation makes use of the circular economy model. Helping to support sustainability and minimize waste.

Before diving into how a circular economy positively impacts the environment and society, let’s first understand what a circular economy is. 

In a circular economy, ways are developed to reuse materials and resources instead of instantly disposing of them. According to World Economic Forum a circular economy “promotes the elimination of waste and the continued safe use of natural resources”.

It allows for minimum waste to be produced as the resources are ‘circulated’ in various ways.  

A circular economy also promotes a greener economy as opposed to a linear economy where materials that are used are disposed of instead of being recycled.

It is true that unavoidably in a circular economy, some amount of waste is still produced, but it is oftentimes very small compared to what is recycled.  

This makes a circular economy way more environmentally friendly compared to a linear economy. As resources can be used for future purposes, fewer raw materials may be used in production thereby resulting in less pollution.  

Hence, it also promotes sustainability.

Furthermore, as a circular economy promotes sustainability, it ensures that resources are available for future use, thus benefiting society as a whole.

Similar to what You matter says, a circular economy can be categorized is often categorized as one with the following characteristics:

Recycle to reduce waste as much as possible  

Use durable but affordable materials  

Make use of renewable energy as much as possible  

The Hendricks Foundation utilizes a circular economy model.  

Recycle to reduce waste as much as possible

At Hendricks Foundation, old laptops that are often disposed of, are refurbished and given to students who lack consistent access to a computer. This recycling of laptops ultimately helps to reduce the number of laptops that contribute to e-waste, therefore helping to reduce waste in the process.

Use durable but affordable materials

Hendricks Foundation refurbishes old laptops that are given to students who need them. While minor changes may be made to the laptop majority of the framework and materials used are kept after repairs are done as most laptops require certain standards of materials to be used in manufacturing them.

Make use of renewable energy as much as possible

Batteries can be considered the primary source of renewable energy storage (Dragonfly Energy, 2022). While they have to be recharged, laptop batteries provide a means by which the laptops continuously store energy without having to get a new battery when the charge runs down. Due to recent advances in renewable energy technology, the source of this energy from the grid is likely to be powered by solar, wind, natural gas, or hydro means; thus ensuring that renewable energy is used as much as possible.  

In Summary

The Hendricks Foundation uses a circular economy model as a principle. At the Hendricks Foundation computers are renewed to help promote sustainability. Likewise, as old computers are recycled, it helps to minimize the amount of waste. Helping to foster a circular economy.