Waste - Or a Local Resource?
It’s not the condition of the product that matters, but the intention to discard it.
According to the German Circular Economy Act, a household good is only considered waste once its owner intends to dispose of it.
Legal Background (§3(1) KrWG)
Circular Economy Act (KrWG)
(1) For the purposes of the present Act, waste shall mean all substances or objects which the holder
discards, or intends or is required to discard. Waste for recovery shall be waste that is recovered; waste
that is not recovered shall be waste for disposal.
(1) Abfälle im Sinne dieses Gesetzes sind alle Stoffe oder Gegenstände, derer sich ihr Besitzer entledigt, entledigen will oder entledigen muss.
official version of german statute [ext. Link]
As long as there is no intention to discard it, a used sofa remains part of the circular economy.
Whether valuable materials stay in circulation or end up as waste is ultimately decided by consumers.
But what disposal alternatives are actually available?
Types of Disposal Alternatives
The cycle begins with a decision.
The more clearly consumers recognize the value of a material and its potential for reuse, the more likely it is to remain in the cycle.
Those who have a choice make more conscious decisions – and actively help to break the linear throwaway model.
The most well-known disposal alternative?
Pass it on instead of throwing it away.
Whether by selling or donating – reuse preserves the item’s original purpose.
Some retailers offer buy-back programs, refurbish the products, and resell them as second-hand goods.
A resource base for new purposes.
Whether it’s hacks, remanufacturing, or open upcycling – many well-known approaches focus on creatively repurposing entire products or their components.
We take a different path: focusing on materials rather than products.
Our idea pool highlights how specific materials can be reused in targeted ways – clearly structured, accessible to all, and easy to follow.
This leads to practical everyday follow-up products that can be created with simple means – offering real choices for everyone who wants to make sustainable decisions.
A circular economy needs local structures.
If a product is no longer needed, it doesn’t have to be discarded – it should be passed on with purpose.
Urban mining in everyday life.
Household goods that are no longer in use can become local resources – through municipal cooperation and aligned with actual material needs on the ground.
This requires clear structures: collection points, disassembly, and sorted material distribution. The result is a coordinated system that preserves valuable materials – instead of destroying them.
More Alternatives. Greater Impact.
Every shared disposal alternative expands the circular potential of locally consumed goods.
The more diverse the options, the easier it is for consumers to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle in their daily routines.
Circular thinking isn’t about doing "without" - it’s about new possibilities for mindful consumption and enhanced quality of life.
Every shared disposal alternative expands the circular potential of locally consumed goods.
The more diverse the options, the easier it is for consumers to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle in their daily routines.
Circular thinking isn’t about doing "without" - it’s about new possibilities for mindful consumption and enhanced quality of life.
Three Steps Toward an Active Circular Economy
– identify –
Disposal Alternatives
What options are there for keeping materials in the loop after product use?
– illustrate –
Circular Potential
What disposal options are available today – matched to the product and ready for local implementation?
– enable –
Mass-Upcycling
Local infrastructure and the right product characteristics make it easier to reuse valuable materials – and significantly increase the potential for implementation.
Your brand - your choice. Take the first step today.
As a brand owner register your products and we will showcase their circular potential. Position your brand as a driver of sustainable innovation.
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Terms & Legal
Insights
isura.blue GmbH
Discover More
Circular Potential – Know more, waste less..
© 2025 isura.blue GmbH. All rights reserved.