Title
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Circular economy in the early modern Low Countries : from premodern circularity to a modern linear model... and back?
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Author
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Abstract
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Combining insights from current needs for a circular future with understandings on how society was organised on a practical level in the past is an interesting method to increase knowledge on different strategies to design a better circular economy. Also, the opposite, namely the understanding of the evolution towards the throwaway society as we currently live in, offers valuable insights that are essential to learn why people started to change behaviour and how to reverse this. This paper is the result of interactional thinking between experts in history and in circular economy and focuses on different product design strategies. Examples from the early modern period are discussed and consequences of implementing these learnings into our current society are explored accordingly. This unique translation makes premodern history directly relevant for todays and future’s challenges. In sum, circularity can learn from the past (i) by resetting the value retention order: first reuse, repair, refurbish, and only recycle as a last option, (ii) by reintroducing short chains, with understanding of how products are made and revaluing the quality of the labour that is needed, (iii) by increasing users’ knowledge of quality in both the buying and maintenance process, and (iv) by involving users in the refurbishing and repair process to achieve engagement. |
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Language
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English
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Source (journal)
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Nieuwe tijdingen : over vroegmoderne geschiedenis / Vlaams-Nederlandse Vereniging voor Nieuwe Geschiedenis. - Leuven, 2017, currens
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Source (book)
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De circulaire economie in de vroegmoderne Nederlanden
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Publication
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Leuven
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Universitaire Pers Leuven
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2023
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ISBN
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978-94-6166-544-7
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Volume/pages
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1
(2023)
, p. 67-88
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Full text (open access)
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