An Economist’s Take on the Circular Economy

Discussions about the circular economy, which emphasizes sharing, reusing, repairing, and recycling existing materials — has traditionally been the remit of engineers, architects, and sociologists. Is there a role for economists in furthering our understanding of, and in fostering an economy where little is wasted? Don Fullerton of the University of Illinois joins EconoFact Chats to discuss these and other issues.

 

Don has served as lead author for an assessment report by the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and as director of the National Bureau of Economic Research’s Environmental Program.