By Amb. Canon Otto, Convener, Global Sustainability Summit & Founder, CleanCyclers
The circular economy is often spoken about in conference halls, policy documents, and sustainability reports. Yet, its true power does not live there.
It lives in our homes.
In our markets.
In our daily decisions.
At CleanCyclers, we believe that the future of sustainability will not be built only by experts — it will be built by ordinary people making better choices every day. Through our work and the conversations we share on SustainabilityUnscripted, one truth continues to surface: the circular economy begins with how we live.
What Does “Circular” Really Mean?
In simple terms, a circular economy is about keeping things in use for as long as possible.
Instead of the old model — take, make, use, throw away — a circular system encourages us to:
- Buy products that last
- Repair instead of replace
- Reuse what we already have
- Recycle responsibly
- Turn waste into new value
As Canon Otto, I often say that the circular economy is not complicated.
What complicates it is our habit of convenience without responsibility.
Buying Durable Products: Choosing Longevity Over Convenience
One of the most powerful daily actions anyone can take is choosing durability over disposability.
Cheap products often cost us more in the long run — financially and environmentally. When items break quickly, they end up as waste, increasing pressure on landfills and drainage systems.
At CleanCyclers, we encourage consumers to ask simple questions before buying:
- Will this last?
- Can it be repaired?
- Is it designed for reuse or recycling?
Each durable purchase is a vote for a cleaner city and a healthier planet.
Repairing Instead of Replacing: Reviving a Lost Culture
Across Africa, repairing used to be a way of life. Shoes were fixed, clothes were altered, electronics were serviced. Nothing was discarded simply because it had a small fault.
Today, replacing has become easier than repairing — but also far more wasteful.
Repairing:
- Reduces waste generation
- Saves money
- Supports local artisans and technicians
- Extends product lifespan
The circular economy thrives when repair becomes normal again. Through SustainabilityUnscripted, we consistently highlight how these traditional practices are not outdated — they are sustainable solutions hiding in plain sight.
Reusing Creatively: Seeing Value Where Others See Waste
Reusing does not require perfection. It requires creativity.
A glass jar can become storage.
Old clothes can become cleaning rags or redesigned outfits.
Plastic containers can serve new household purposes.
At CleanCyclers, creativity is central to how we view sustainability. Waste only becomes waste when imagination stops. When people begin to see materials as resources, entire value chains are unlocked.
This mindset shift is the heartbeat of the circular economy.
Recycling Smartly: Doing It Right, Not Just Doing It
Recycling is important — but how we recycle matters just as much.
Mixing recyclables with food waste, dumping electronics with household trash, or assuming everything can be recycled undermines the entire system.
Smart recycling means:
- Sorting waste correctly
- Understanding local recycling systems
- Treating e-waste and plastics responsibly
- Supporting recycling initiatives like CleanCyclers
A circular city is not built on good intentions alone — it is built on informed action.
Small Choices, Big Impact
Many people believe their individual actions are too small to matter. This is one of the greatest myths of sustainability.
When multiplied across households, streets, and cities, small choices become powerful forces for change. The circular economy grows when people realize that daily habits are infrastructure too.
As I often reflect at the Global Sustainability Summit:
“Sustainability will succeed not when it is perfect, but when it becomes personal.”
— Amb. Canon Otto
CleanCyclers’ Perspective: Building Circular Cities From the Ground Up
At CleanCyclers, our mission is simple but urgent: connect everyday living with environmental responsibility. We believe circular cities are built from the ground up — one household, one choice, one action at a time.
Through innovation, advocacy, and storytelling on SustainabilityUnscripted, we remain committed to showing that sustainability is not a distant concept. It is something we practice daily.
The future is circular — and it begins with what you choose today.
