Black Friday, A Rabbit Hole And The Circular Economy
By Michele Walker
Growing up in Canada Black Friday was not a thing until I was an adult so I have to admit I don’t have an emotional or nostalgic attachment to this day. Now as I have shifted my world view to be more aligned with eco than ego (I am still a work in progress) Black Friday and Cyber Monday are something I choose not to participate in. I do participate in giving Tuesday which was created to counter the over consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. I have at different points in my life been part of the consumer culture of buy more because it will bring happiness, joy and love for either me or for others. Looking back I know that some of those things did bring happiness for a short while, some didn’t fill a need like I thought it would and often the things that I bought wound up in the pile for thrift, recycling or the garbage. Now I view the propaganda that is put out around consumer culture with a critical eye and a whole lot of cynicism.
When watching what was happening with Black Friday this year I cheered the companies that are boycotting Black Friday with some them actually closing their stores both the physical ones and the digital ones. REI one of my favourite outdoor stores has made this a permanent practice.
Other stores are finding ways to give back by donating some of the proceeds and partnering with organizations that help extend the life of a product. Many of these stores talked about a Circular Economy, which I had heard of but didn’t know all that much about. With my interest peaked, I had to dive down that rabbit hole!
This brought me to watching, listening and reading about a circular economy. One resource, The Ellen MacArthur Foundation ellenmacarthurfoundation.org has this in description:
“Circular Economy is a systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. It is based on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature.”
“It is underpinned by a transition to renewable energy and materials. A circular economydecouples economic activity from the consumption of finite resources. It is a resilient system that is good for business, people and the environment.”
As I have been learning I can’t help but think this is an economic theory that makes sense to my non economist brain. As I have dug more I see big and small companies working towards creating a circular economy in their business and the EU Commission and some European countries endorsing and creating roadmaps to a circular economy.
Rather than explaining a circular economy I want to point you to a number of resources and encourage you to come down the rabbit hole!
For an introduction to circular economy
For a great Ted Talk by Ellen MacArthur
Consider supporting us on Giving Tuesday