Since this week is the week of circular economy I would like to share my top 3 of books on the subject. Without further ado here are my top tips for books on circular economy.
1. Cradle to cradle: Remaking the way we make things
Authors: William McDonough and Michael Braungart
This is the first book I read about the subject, almost 20 years ago. In clear and engaging terms William McDonough and Michael Braungart explain how we can design products with an endless lifecycle. The book describes how products after use can be taken apart and separated into ‘organic nutrients’ which are compostable, and technical nutrients that can be re-used in the production cycle of new products. This was the book that sparked my interest in sustainability.
2. The Blue Economy: 10 Years, 100 Innovations, 100 Million Jobs2. The Blue Economy: 10 Years, 100 Innovations, 100 Million Jobs
Author: Gunter Pauli
Although maybe not the book that might give the most answers as how to make a circular economy work, it paints a hopeful picture how a circular economy can be profitable as well as beneficial. Gunter Pauli is the founder of Ecover and shares some of his hand-on experience with designing and selling his sustainable products as well as some inspiring other ideas examples.
3. The Story of Stuff: The Impact of Overconsumption on the Planet, Our Communities, and Our Health-And How We Can Make It Better
Author: Annie Leonard
I first saw the YouTube movie in 2009. With a backdrop of a brilliantly drawn animation Annie Leonard explains how all the stuff we use pollutes our world and effects our daily lives. The book was published in 2011 and is just as fast-paced and packed with details as the movie and explains the system behind the way we consume en dispose our products.