Technical Cycle

A technical cycle refers to the flow of non-biological (typically human-made or processed) resources through industrial and technological systems, where they are reused, repaired, refurbished, remanufactured, or recycled in order to retain or regain their value over time.

Key Characteristics:

– Focuses on materials and products that are durable, such as metals, plastics, glass, electronics, and machinery.

– Enables multiple life cycles for products by designing for disassembly, repairability, and recyclability.

– Uses reverse logistics to collect and reintroduce products or components into the supply chain.

– Supports waste prevention by maximizing product longevity and material recovery.

Examples:

– Refurbishing laptops for resale.

– Remanufacturing automotive parts to original standards.

– Recycling aluminum cans back into raw aluminum stock.

– Designing appliances to be modular and upgradable.

Purpose in Circular Economy:
Technical cycles aim to close the loop for industrial materials, keeping them in productive use and minimizing the need for virgin resource extraction. This supports resource stewardship, reduces environmental degradation, and contributes to the resilience of economic systems.