The circular economy

1. Look at the graphics below and answer the questions.

LINEAR ECONOMY

CIRCULAR ECONOMY

• What do you think the linear economy is?

• What do you think the circular economy is?

2. Watch a video [https://youtu.be/__0Spwj8DkM] and check your answers in

ex. 1.

3. Discuss the questions.

• What do you think the advantages and disadvantages of each economy are?
• Do you mostly live in a linear or circular economy?

4. Work out the meanings of the underlined words.

a) Is it better to buy or lease a car?

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 The circular economy

b) Unfortunately, our planet does not have infinite

PRONUNCIATION TIP
resources for us to use. Eventually, we will run out!
infinite /ˈɪn.fɪ.nət/
c) Every computer has a finite amount of memory.
finite /ˈfaɪ.naɪt/
d) Do you have any proof of ownership of this car?
e) The government is offering a cash incentive for people to use renewable
energy in their homes.
f) In fast fashion, billions of garments are made cheaply and then thrown away
every year.
g) As supply chain issues are getting worse, businesses are afraid that they
might not get enough stock for Christmas.
h) To improve logistics, we have bought a new software program that tells our
shipping department each time an order is processed.

5. Watch the video again and complete the sentences.

a) The linear economy is based on a ‘take, make and …………’ model.
b) In the linear economy, companies buy materials at the ………… cost possible.
c) The circular economy is based on a ‘make, use and …………’ model.
d) This radical model turns companies into ………… rather than sellers of a
physical product.
e) H&M collects old garments and ………… them.
f) The circular economy can produce environmental and ………… benefits.
g) Companies would have to ………… their products and supply chains in order
to become more circular.

6. Match the collocations.

a) sign 1) someone’s mindset
b) pay 2) a product
c) lease 3) on board with
d) manufacture 4) a lease
e) give 5) a fee
f) change 6) on a strategy
g) work 7) an incentive
h) get 8) a car

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 The circular economy

7. Discuss the following questions. Give reasons for your answers.

• How circular are your consumption habits? What
could you do to make them more so?
• Would you lease your lighting? What are the things
that you would never decide to lease and prefer to
own?
• How easy do you think it is to change people’s
mindsets towards ownership?
• Does your government give any incentives to
people to encourage them to reduce waste?
• Why do you think companies would move from the linear to the circular
economy?

8. Read the description of a company which follows the linear model and
complete the case study tasks below.

Chef’s Place is a company which produces high quality,

hand-prepared frozen meals. Most of the ingredients are
sourced locally. The meals are prepared by professional
chefs in the company’s kitchens then packaged and
delivered to customers and shops all around the
country. The food is packaged in black plastic cartons
with plastic film lids and cardboard covers.

• Make a list of strategies the company could work on in order to become more
circular.
• Think about the following:
o sourcing ingredients o distribution
o production o waste disposal
o package design o recycling
• Consider the pros, cons and challenges the company would face.
• Present your ideas.

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 The circular economy

9. Think about the company you work for.

• How could they change their business model to fit the ideas of the circular
economy?
• What are the pros and cons of such changes?
• What challenges would they face?

Copyrights by ESL Brains