In a linear economy resources are extracted, transformed into products, and eventually disposed of after their use. This model follows a "take, make, waste" approach, where there is little consideration for the longevity of products or the potential for resource recovery.

A circular economy is an alternative economic model designed to tackle the problems caused by the traditional linear economy model of "take, make, waste." A circular economy prioritizes resource efficiency, longevity, and regeneration. At its core, a circular economy aims to keep resources in use for as long as possible, extracting maximum value from them through reuse, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and recycling. This means designing products with their entire lifecycle in mind that are durable, repairable, and recyclable.