Linear economy
Also called: Take-make-dispose economy · Topic: Environment and Sustainable Development · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
A linear economy follows a one-way path: take → make → use → dispose. Resources are extracted, turned into products, used once or for a short time, and then thrown away. This model uses up non-renewable resources, which are resources that run out, and it piles up waste faster than the environment can absorb it. That is why it is seen as unsustainable.
Example
A plastic water bottle is made from petroleum, used once, and then thrown in a landfill or a drain. It is never brought back into use.
Don't confuse with
- Circular economy: this model designs out waste. It keeps materials in use through reduce, reuse, repair, remanufacture and recycle, so the path becomes a loop instead of a line.
Related concepts
- Circular economy
- Recycling
- E-waste
- Extended producer responsibility
- Urban mining
- Right to repair
- Porter hypothesis
- Sustainable infrastructure
- Sustainable consumption and production
- Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions