雅思阅读

📖 Reading Passage

The concept of 'circular economy' has gained significant traction in recent years as an alternative to the traditional linear model of 'take-make-dispose'. Unlike linear systems, which prioritize throughput and often externalize environmental costs, a circular economy aims to decouple economic growth from resource consumption by designing out waste, keeping products and materials in use, and regenerating natural systems. This transition requires not only technological innovation, such as advanced recycling processes and modular product design, but also systemic changes in consumer behavior and regulatory frameworks. Critics argue, however, that the feasibility of full circularity is limited by thermodynamic constraints, as material degradation inevitably occurs during recycling, and by economic barriers, where the cost of recovery often exceeds the value of virgin materials. Nonetheless, proponents contend that even partial circularity can yield substantial environmental benefits, making it a pragmatic step toward sustainability.