"Closing the loop" is of the upmost importance to Dolphin & Dog. this term of recycling refers to the process of creating a circular economy, where waste materials are reused and recycled to create new products, reducing the need for virgin materials and minimizing waste.
To close the loop in recycling, it's important to follow the principles of the waste hierarchy: reduce, reuse, and recycle. This means reducing the amount of waste produced in the first place, reusing items as much as possible, and then recycling what cannot be reused.
One way to close the loop in recycling is to implement a closed-loop recycling system. In this system, waste materials are collected and then transformed back into the same product they came from or other products made from the same material. For example, recycled paper can be used to make new paper products.
Another way to close the loop is to implement a circular economy model. In this model, products are designed to be easily disassembled and their components can be reused or recycled. This reduces waste and creates a sustainable cycle of production and consumption.
This is the goal for Dolphin & Dog, to build the business and its products with this ethos in mind, to encourage our customers to close the loop. I suspect that customers buying from Dolphin & Dog will already have these values close to their heart and it is what attracted them to purchasing from Dolphin & Dog originally.
To help implement the close the loop system I have set up a returns program that will incentivise customers to return their old products and in return receive money off their next purchase, with the added piece of mind that the products will be recycled properly. see here - close the loop
it's important to educate people on the benefits of recycling and how to properly recycle materials. Recycling programs should be easily accessible and convenient, with clearly labeled recycling bins and instructions, as well as clearly labelled products that cant be mistaken at recycling plants as landfill.
I have made sure of this with while designing my new Microplastic catching laundry bag, A small change in the way we wash our clothes can make a big difference to how we effect the environment. Once the bag is complete I will make sure to post a link here.
Overall, closing the loop in recycling is crucial for creating a more sustainable future, reducing waste and conserving natural resources. Overtime I hope to push awareness of make recycling an everyday part of life and not thought of twice.
