• Events
  • Marketplace
  • Resources
  • Press Releases
  • Business Directory
  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact
Friday, August 19, 2022
Allwork.Space
The FUTURE OF WORK® since 2003
Find A Flexible Office Here
  • All Topics
    • Business
    • Biophilic Design
    • Career Growth
    • Coliving
    • Collaboration
    • Coworking
    • CRE
    • DE&I
    • Digital Nomads
    • Future of Work
    • Home Office
    • Human Resources (HR)
    • Hybrid Work
    • Investment
    • Leadership
    • Marketing
    • Mental Health
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Office Furniture
    • Productivity
    • PropTech
    • Remote Work
    • Self-care
    • SMBs
    • Social Impact
    • Space-as-a-Service
    • Technology
    • Virtual Office
    • Work-life Balance
    • Workforce
    • Workplace Design
    • Workplace Wellness
  • Business
    How to Establish Your Remote Startup

    Here’s How to Establish Your Remote Startup

    How To Improve Your Workplace ESG Score

    How To Improve Your Workplace ESG Score

    MySpace Founder Shares His Insights On Social Media In The Future Of Work

    MySpace Founder Shares His Insights On Social Media In The Future Of Work, Plus Elon Musk’s Twitter Acquisition Debacle

    Young Entrepreneurship Is On The Rise

    Young Entrepreneurship Is On The Rise

    How Much Does Elon Musk’s Opinion On Remote Work Matter

    How Much Does Elon Musk’s Opinion On Remote Work Matter?

    The-History-of-Networking

    The Past, Present, and Hybrid Future of Networking

    Pandemic Resilience V. Future Resilience

    Is Your Company Pandemic-Resilient Or Future-Resilient?

    Change Or Control Here What Drives People To Become Entrepreneurs

    Change Or Control? Here’s What Drives People To Become Entrepreneurs

    The-Meeting-Room-Of-The-Future

    The Meeting Room Of The Future

  • Tech
    Lisa Gevelber Founder of Grow With Google1

    Degrees Don’t Equal Dollars: Google Exec Launched Career Certificate Program To Open In-demand, High-paying Career Fields To Everyone

    Lisa Gevelber Founder of Grow With Google1

    Lisa Gevelber Founder of Grow With Google | Transforming The Economy Through Education

    5 Emerging Technology Trends to Power Your Workplace

    5 Emerging Technology Trends to Power Your Workplace

    The Robots Are Coming, Eventually. Will Automation Displace Half The World’s Workforce?

    The Robots Are Coming, Eventually. Will Automation Displace Half The World’s Workforce?

    Is Technology Meeting The Needs Of Today Workers

    Is Technology Meeting The Needs Of Today’s Workers?

    Your Boss Is Watching You. Will Bossware Change How And Where You Work?

    Your Boss Is Watching You. Will Bossware Change How And Where You Work?

    How Chatbots Disrupt the Interview Process

    Here’s How Chatbots Disrupt the Interview Process

    Would You Give Your Staff the ‘Immersive Treatment’?

    Would You Give Your Staff the ‘Immersive Treatment’?

    Christoph Fleischmann Of Arthur | Bridging The Hybrid Work Divide With Mixed Reality

    Christoph Fleischmann Of Arthur | Bridging The Hybrid Work Divide With Mixed Reality

  • Marketing
    Want Your Coworking Newsletter to Actually Convert

    Want Your Coworking Newsletter to Actually Convert? Start by Keeping It Simple, Fun, and Consistent

    5 Pros Share How To Use Instagram To Grow Your Coworking Business

    5 Pros Share How To Use Instagram To Grow Your Coworking Business

    Want To Wow Coworking Members

    Want To “Wow” Coworking Members? It All Starts With (The Right) Insights

    High-Quality Photo Sites

    6 Free, High-Quality Photo Sites To Level Up Your Marketing

    The Creator Economy Is Dramatically Changing Marketing Practices, Here’s Why

    The Creator Economy Is Dramatically Changing Marketing Practices, Here’s Why

    Everything You Need To Know About Google My Business, And How To Ace It

    Everything You Need To Know About Google My Business, And How To Ace It

    Nothing Beats In-Person Communication, But These Online Tools Come Pretty Close

    Nothing Beats In-Person Communication, But These Online Tools Come Pretty Close

    6 Tips For Capturing More Website Leads

    6 Tips For Capturing More Website Leads

    “This Is Marketing” By Seth Godin Is A Celebration Of The Unchanging Truths About Marketing

    “This Is Marketing” By Seth Godin Is A Celebration Of The Unchanging Truths About Marketing

  • Design
    How Workplace Design Attract Gen Z

    How Workplace Design Can Help Attract Gen Z

    How Will We View Today’s Transformation Of The Workplace In Twenty Years?

    How Will We View Today’s Transformation Of The Workplace In Twenty Years?

    This Company Is Using YOLO Months To Support Hybrid Work

    The Room Where It Happens Matters: The Best Conference Room Designs To Help Your Hybrid Team Succeed

    An All-Encompassing View Of Workplace Health

    An All-Encompassing View Of Workplace Health

    Stylization The Overlooked Design Strategy That Complements Hybrid Work

    Stylization: The Overlooked Design Strategy That Complements Hybrid Work

    How Designers Can Set The Stage For A Flexible Future

    How Designers Can Set The Stage For A Flexible Future

    The Outdoor Office is Here to Stay How to Create the Perfect Outdoor Living (and Work) Room

    The Outdoor Office is Here to Stay: How to Create the Perfect Outdoor Living (and Work) Room

    Neocon 2022 Explored Biophilic Office Design

    Neocon 2022 Explored Biophilic Office Design, But What Is It?

    Multifamily Design Can Inform The New Office

    How Multifamily Design Can Inform The New Office

  • Work-life
    Make Small Changes To Boost Willpower

    Want A Raise? Make Small Changes To Boost Willpower

    Learn How To Make Your Professional Work Support Your Personal Wellness

    Learn How To Make Your Professional Work Support Your Personal Wellness

    Boost Productivity With These Three Alternative Work Schedules

    Boost Productivity With These Three Alternative Work Schedules

    Charlotte-Lockhart-Thumbnail

    Are Four-day Work Weeks A Crazy Idea? This Nonprofit’s 20% Increase In Productivity is What’s Crazy.

    Powerful Benefits To Inspire You To Wake Up Early For Work

    Powerful Benefits To Inspire You To Wake Up Early For Work

    The Role Of Connectedness In The Future Of Work

    The Role Of Connectedness In The Future Of Work

    Maybe Youre The Problem How Better Leadership Can Lower Employee Stress Levels

    Maybe You’re The Problem: How Better Leadership Can Lower Employee Stress Levels

    Tim Leberecht Headshot

    Win The War For Talent With Beauty, Not Efficiency

    Remote Work Doesnt Always Mean You Can Work From Anywhere

    Remote Work Doesn’t Always Mean You Can Work From Anywhere

  • CRE
    JLL New Future Of Work Survey The Next Few Years Are Crucial For Commercial Real Estate (2)

    JLL’s New Future Of Work Survey: The Next Few Years Are Crucial For Commercial Real Estate

    What Is The Impact Of Hybrid Working On Space Optimization

    What Is The Impact Of Hybrid Working On Space Optimization?

    What Can We Expect For The Future Of Office Occupancy?

    What Can We Expect For The Future Of Office Occupancy?

    How Commercial Real Estate Can Master The Art Of Data

    How Commercial Real Estate Can Master The Art Of Data

    The New Real Estate Portfolio Of Hybrid Companies

    The New Real Estate Portfolio Of Hybrid Companies

    The Time Has Come For The Built Environment To Report Its Scope 3 Carbon Emissions

    The Time Has Come For The Built Environment To Report Its Scope 3 Carbon Emissions – Here’s How

    How Net Zero Targets Affect Your Office Buildings And The Future Of Work

    How Net Zero Targets Affect Your Office Buildings And The Future Of Work

    Is Adam Neumann Making The Pivot To Landlord

    Is Adam Neumann Making The Pivot To Landlord?

    5 Commercial Real Estate Predictions For 2022

    5 Commercial Real Estate Predictions For 2022

  • Coworking
    Coworking In A War Zone Ukrainian Workspace Operators Reveal Their Experiences, And How You Can Help

    Coworking In A War Zone: Four Ukrainian Workspace Operators Reveal Their Experiences, And How You Can Help

    WeWork Stock Is Plummeting Despite Industry Growth

    WeWork’s Stock Is Plummeting Despite Flexible Workspace Industry Growth

    Its International Coworking Day 1

    It’s International Coworking Day — Learn About Its History, Plus Ways To Celebrate

    7 Fun Ways To Celebrate International Coworking Day

    7 Fun Ways To Celebrate International Coworking Day

    Should US Coworking Spaces Worry About Worker Migration

    Should U.S. Coworking Spaces Worry About Worker Migration?

    London’s Flexible Office Market Is Recovering Rubberdesk Report Reveals

    London’s Flexible Office Market Is Recovering, Rubberdesk Report Reveals

    Women Of Color-Focused Coworking Space Creates Vital Vibrant Community

    Women Of Color-Focused Coworking Space Creates Vital, Vibrant Community

    Discover The Hottest Markets For Hot Desking

    Discover The Hottest Markets For Hot Desking

    Opinion Piece - Brad K Hub Australia

    Opinion: Bursting The Hybrid Work Bubble

  • Workforce
    The Great Resignation Is Getting The Boot — The Great Layoff Has Arrived

    The Great Resignation Is Getting The Boot — The Great Layoff Has Arrived

    You Cant Talk About CENSORED At Work

    Shush! You Can’t Talk About [CENSORED] At Work.

    Surprise! Youngest Workers Need The Office More

    Surprise! Youngest Workers Need The Office More

    Start Sweating It The Future Of Work Will Be Too Hot For Some Business To Handle

    Start Sweating It: The Future Of Work Will Be Too Hot For Some Businesses To Handle

    Hostile Work Environments Are Pushing 52% Of Black Women Out Of The UK’s Workforce

    Hostile Work Environments Are Pushing 52% Of Black Women Out Of The UK’s Workforce

    You’re Not Alone: 54.7% Of U.S. Salaries Haven't Kept Up With Inflation

    You’re Not Alone: 54.7% Of U.S. Salaries Haven’t Kept Up With Inflation

    Could Updating Employee Benefits Slow The Great Resignation?

    Could Updating Employee Benefits Slow The Great Resignation?

    Young Men In The UK Are Being Failed By The System

    Young Men In The UK Are Being Failed By The System — What Needs To Happen To Reverse This Worrying Unemployment Trend?

    The Great Rebalance: Why Losing Female Employees Hurts Everyone

    The Great Rebalance: Why Losing Female Employees Hurts Everyone

  • Daily Digest
  • Podcast
  • Subscribe
  • All Topics
    • Business
    • Biophilic Design
    • Career Growth
    • Coliving
    • Collaboration
    • Coworking
    • CRE
    • DE&I
    • Digital Nomads
    • Future of Work
    • Home Office
    • Human Resources (HR)
    • Hybrid Work
    • Investment
    • Leadership
    • Marketing
    • Mental Health
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Office Furniture
    • Productivity
    • PropTech
    • Remote Work
    • Self-care
    • SMBs
    • Social Impact
    • Space-as-a-Service
    • Technology
    • Virtual Office
    • Work-life Balance
    • Workforce
    • Workplace Design
    • Workplace Wellness
  • Business
    How to Establish Your Remote Startup

    Here’s How to Establish Your Remote Startup

    How To Improve Your Workplace ESG Score

    How To Improve Your Workplace ESG Score

    MySpace Founder Shares His Insights On Social Media In The Future Of Work

    MySpace Founder Shares His Insights On Social Media In The Future Of Work, Plus Elon Musk’s Twitter Acquisition Debacle

    Young Entrepreneurship Is On The Rise

    Young Entrepreneurship Is On The Rise

    How Much Does Elon Musk’s Opinion On Remote Work Matter

    How Much Does Elon Musk’s Opinion On Remote Work Matter?

    The-History-of-Networking

    The Past, Present, and Hybrid Future of Networking

    Pandemic Resilience V. Future Resilience

    Is Your Company Pandemic-Resilient Or Future-Resilient?

    Change Or Control Here What Drives People To Become Entrepreneurs

    Change Or Control? Here’s What Drives People To Become Entrepreneurs

    The-Meeting-Room-Of-The-Future

    The Meeting Room Of The Future

  • Tech
    Lisa Gevelber Founder of Grow With Google1

    Degrees Don’t Equal Dollars: Google Exec Launched Career Certificate Program To Open In-demand, High-paying Career Fields To Everyone

    Lisa Gevelber Founder of Grow With Google1

    Lisa Gevelber Founder of Grow With Google | Transforming The Economy Through Education

    5 Emerging Technology Trends to Power Your Workplace

    5 Emerging Technology Trends to Power Your Workplace

    The Robots Are Coming, Eventually. Will Automation Displace Half The World’s Workforce?

    The Robots Are Coming, Eventually. Will Automation Displace Half The World’s Workforce?

    Is Technology Meeting The Needs Of Today Workers

    Is Technology Meeting The Needs Of Today’s Workers?

    Your Boss Is Watching You. Will Bossware Change How And Where You Work?

    Your Boss Is Watching You. Will Bossware Change How And Where You Work?

    How Chatbots Disrupt the Interview Process

    Here’s How Chatbots Disrupt the Interview Process

    Would You Give Your Staff the ‘Immersive Treatment’?

    Would You Give Your Staff the ‘Immersive Treatment’?

    Christoph Fleischmann Of Arthur | Bridging The Hybrid Work Divide With Mixed Reality

    Christoph Fleischmann Of Arthur | Bridging The Hybrid Work Divide With Mixed Reality

  • Marketing
    Want Your Coworking Newsletter to Actually Convert

    Want Your Coworking Newsletter to Actually Convert? Start by Keeping It Simple, Fun, and Consistent

    5 Pros Share How To Use Instagram To Grow Your Coworking Business

    5 Pros Share How To Use Instagram To Grow Your Coworking Business

    Want To Wow Coworking Members

    Want To “Wow” Coworking Members? It All Starts With (The Right) Insights

    High-Quality Photo Sites

    6 Free, High-Quality Photo Sites To Level Up Your Marketing

    The Creator Economy Is Dramatically Changing Marketing Practices, Here’s Why

    The Creator Economy Is Dramatically Changing Marketing Practices, Here’s Why

    Everything You Need To Know About Google My Business, And How To Ace It

    Everything You Need To Know About Google My Business, And How To Ace It

    Nothing Beats In-Person Communication, But These Online Tools Come Pretty Close

    Nothing Beats In-Person Communication, But These Online Tools Come Pretty Close

    6 Tips For Capturing More Website Leads

    6 Tips For Capturing More Website Leads

    “This Is Marketing” By Seth Godin Is A Celebration Of The Unchanging Truths About Marketing

    “This Is Marketing” By Seth Godin Is A Celebration Of The Unchanging Truths About Marketing

  • Design
    How Workplace Design Attract Gen Z

    How Workplace Design Can Help Attract Gen Z

    How Will We View Today’s Transformation Of The Workplace In Twenty Years?

    How Will We View Today’s Transformation Of The Workplace In Twenty Years?

    This Company Is Using YOLO Months To Support Hybrid Work

    The Room Where It Happens Matters: The Best Conference Room Designs To Help Your Hybrid Team Succeed

    An All-Encompassing View Of Workplace Health

    An All-Encompassing View Of Workplace Health

    Stylization The Overlooked Design Strategy That Complements Hybrid Work

    Stylization: The Overlooked Design Strategy That Complements Hybrid Work

    How Designers Can Set The Stage For A Flexible Future

    How Designers Can Set The Stage For A Flexible Future

    The Outdoor Office is Here to Stay How to Create the Perfect Outdoor Living (and Work) Room

    The Outdoor Office is Here to Stay: How to Create the Perfect Outdoor Living (and Work) Room

    Neocon 2022 Explored Biophilic Office Design

    Neocon 2022 Explored Biophilic Office Design, But What Is It?

    Multifamily Design Can Inform The New Office

    How Multifamily Design Can Inform The New Office

  • Work-life
    Make Small Changes To Boost Willpower

    Want A Raise? Make Small Changes To Boost Willpower

    Learn How To Make Your Professional Work Support Your Personal Wellness

    Learn How To Make Your Professional Work Support Your Personal Wellness

    Boost Productivity With These Three Alternative Work Schedules

    Boost Productivity With These Three Alternative Work Schedules

    Charlotte-Lockhart-Thumbnail

    Are Four-day Work Weeks A Crazy Idea? This Nonprofit’s 20% Increase In Productivity is What’s Crazy.

    Powerful Benefits To Inspire You To Wake Up Early For Work

    Powerful Benefits To Inspire You To Wake Up Early For Work

    The Role Of Connectedness In The Future Of Work

    The Role Of Connectedness In The Future Of Work

    Maybe Youre The Problem How Better Leadership Can Lower Employee Stress Levels

    Maybe You’re The Problem: How Better Leadership Can Lower Employee Stress Levels

    Tim Leberecht Headshot

    Win The War For Talent With Beauty, Not Efficiency

    Remote Work Doesnt Always Mean You Can Work From Anywhere

    Remote Work Doesn’t Always Mean You Can Work From Anywhere

  • CRE
    JLL New Future Of Work Survey The Next Few Years Are Crucial For Commercial Real Estate (2)

    JLL’s New Future Of Work Survey: The Next Few Years Are Crucial For Commercial Real Estate

    What Is The Impact Of Hybrid Working On Space Optimization

    What Is The Impact Of Hybrid Working On Space Optimization?

    What Can We Expect For The Future Of Office Occupancy?

    What Can We Expect For The Future Of Office Occupancy?

    How Commercial Real Estate Can Master The Art Of Data

    How Commercial Real Estate Can Master The Art Of Data

    The New Real Estate Portfolio Of Hybrid Companies

    The New Real Estate Portfolio Of Hybrid Companies

    The Time Has Come For The Built Environment To Report Its Scope 3 Carbon Emissions

    The Time Has Come For The Built Environment To Report Its Scope 3 Carbon Emissions – Here’s How

    How Net Zero Targets Affect Your Office Buildings And The Future Of Work

    How Net Zero Targets Affect Your Office Buildings And The Future Of Work

    Is Adam Neumann Making The Pivot To Landlord

    Is Adam Neumann Making The Pivot To Landlord?

    5 Commercial Real Estate Predictions For 2022

    5 Commercial Real Estate Predictions For 2022

  • Coworking
    Coworking In A War Zone Ukrainian Workspace Operators Reveal Their Experiences, And How You Can Help

    Coworking In A War Zone: Four Ukrainian Workspace Operators Reveal Their Experiences, And How You Can Help

    WeWork Stock Is Plummeting Despite Industry Growth

    WeWork’s Stock Is Plummeting Despite Flexible Workspace Industry Growth

    Its International Coworking Day 1

    It’s International Coworking Day — Learn About Its History, Plus Ways To Celebrate

    7 Fun Ways To Celebrate International Coworking Day

    7 Fun Ways To Celebrate International Coworking Day

    Should US Coworking Spaces Worry About Worker Migration

    Should U.S. Coworking Spaces Worry About Worker Migration?

    London’s Flexible Office Market Is Recovering Rubberdesk Report Reveals

    London’s Flexible Office Market Is Recovering, Rubberdesk Report Reveals

    Women Of Color-Focused Coworking Space Creates Vital Vibrant Community

    Women Of Color-Focused Coworking Space Creates Vital, Vibrant Community

    Discover The Hottest Markets For Hot Desking

    Discover The Hottest Markets For Hot Desking

    Opinion Piece - Brad K Hub Australia

    Opinion: Bursting The Hybrid Work Bubble

  • Workforce
    The Great Resignation Is Getting The Boot — The Great Layoff Has Arrived

    The Great Resignation Is Getting The Boot — The Great Layoff Has Arrived

    You Cant Talk About CENSORED At Work

    Shush! You Can’t Talk About [CENSORED] At Work.

    Surprise! Youngest Workers Need The Office More

    Surprise! Youngest Workers Need The Office More

    Start Sweating It The Future Of Work Will Be Too Hot For Some Business To Handle

    Start Sweating It: The Future Of Work Will Be Too Hot For Some Businesses To Handle

    Hostile Work Environments Are Pushing 52% Of Black Women Out Of The UK’s Workforce

    Hostile Work Environments Are Pushing 52% Of Black Women Out Of The UK’s Workforce

    You’re Not Alone: 54.7% Of U.S. Salaries Haven't Kept Up With Inflation

    You’re Not Alone: 54.7% Of U.S. Salaries Haven’t Kept Up With Inflation

    Could Updating Employee Benefits Slow The Great Resignation?

    Could Updating Employee Benefits Slow The Great Resignation?

    Young Men In The UK Are Being Failed By The System

    Young Men In The UK Are Being Failed By The System — What Needs To Happen To Reverse This Worrying Unemployment Trend?

    The Great Rebalance: Why Losing Female Employees Hurts Everyone

    The Great Rebalance: Why Losing Female Employees Hurts Everyone

  • Daily Digest
  • Podcast
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
Allwork.Space
No Result
View All Result
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Marketing
  • Design
  • Work-life
  • CRE
  • Coworking
  • Workforce
  • Daily Digest
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
Home Business

Turning Empty Offices into Apartments: Are We Finally Leaving the Wasteful Linear Economy Behind?

by Emma Ascott
October 14, 2021
in Business
Reading Time: 9 mins read
A A
The Circular Economy

A circular economy that reuses existing resources is fundamentally different from a linear economy in that a linear economy follows the “take-make-dispose” plan in which raw materials are collected and then turned into products that are used until they are finally discarded as waste. (Photo by Josh Power on Unsplash)

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare to Network
  • The circular economy is repurposing empty office buildings. 
  • Studies show the linear economy is completely unsustainable.  
  • The circular economy is less wasteful and more sustainable in a post-Covid world.

The circular economy is becoming an increasingly popular concept around the world. But what does it mean? How does it differ from our “traditional” linear economy? How will it impact our world as we recover from the pandemic? 


What is a linear economy? What is a circular economy?

linear and circular economy

A linear model deals with raw materials in an inefficient way, because the emphasis is not on their conservation. Materials are collected, then transformed into products, which are eventually discarded as waste.  

What experts and non-experts know for sure is that if this economic model is not replaced, the world will approach a tipping point where it will lose the capacity to sustain itself. 

1password starter pack

A circular economy follows the reduce, reuse and recycle approach. Resource use is minimized, reuse of products and parts is maximized, and raw materials are reused to a high standard. When working on sustainability within a linear economy, the focus is on eco-efficiency, which means the ecological impact is minimized to get the same output.  


The circular economy is repurposing empty office spaces

The circular economy is repurposing empty office spaces

The shift to remote working has caused many offices to become empty, some of which are being converted into living spaces. 

Many office buildings have been vacant for more than a year and a half now as the pandemic continues to keep workers out of cities.  

High office vacancy rates are plaguing cities nationwide, In the second quarter of this year, the commercial vacancy rate across San Francisco reached 15.4% – more than the 12% figure last year and more than double what it was just two years ago. 

Phoenix’s office market vacancy is elevated at 16.2%, while Los Angeles has reached an all-time high of 17.8%.  

Meanwhile, New York City is at 19.2% vacancy, and Houston is at a record high 22.9% of workspaces going unused. 

Some of those properties may never recover, but many empty commercial structures are planned to be converted into housing and perhaps other uses as well, potentially spurring a number of building conversions not seen since the crash of the late-1980s. 

New York City has provided tax breaks for converting unused commercial buildings into residential space since the 1990s. In the 2010s, the most common spaces to be retrofitted into rentals have been office buildings. 

With some companies allowing employees to permanently work from home, there is support across cities for breathing new life into struggling buildings. 

“COVID has expedited the ultimate repurposing,” said Nathan Berman, managing principal of Metroloft Management and a developer in the process of buying two large office buildings in lower Manhattan. 

In other countries, the same sentiment is being felt.  

South Korea plans to add 114,000 homes for public housing by buying empty hotels and offices. 

Eight out of 10 workers in Singapore prefer to work from home or have flexible arrangements, according to a survey in October, which would leave plenty of vacant offices and car parks to be converted.  

Justin Eng, an associate director of research at real estate consultancy Knight Frank Asia-Pacific, said, “Governments and developers across the region are looking at converting commercial space into housing. These trends had been in motion prior to COVID-19, but have now been accelerated.” 

Retrofitting, refurbishing or repairing existing buildings will lead to lower emission facilities, which is less resource-intensive and more cost-effective than demolition and new construction. This model fits in with the circular economy, which could help the world recover financially from the pandemic.  

In San Francisco, one empty office building has even been converted into a school. Not only is this environmentally conscious, but it allows upcoming schools to have space without building from scratch.  

Using now-obsolete office spaces for another function (like a school) eliminates the need to use raw materials to build a new building. Retrofitting an empty space aligns with the principles of the circular economy: maintaining products so that they remain useful. 


What is the difference between a circular and linear economy?

What is the difference between a circular and linear economy

A circular economy is fundamentally different from a linear economy in that a linear economy follows the “take-make-dispose” plan, which means that raw materials are collected, then transformed into products that are used until they are finally discarded as waste. Value is created in this economic system by producing and selling as many products as possible. 

In a circular economy, the cycle of mining raw materials is closed, which changes the way in which value is created and preserved, how production is made more sustainable and which business models are used. 

Circular thinking is focused on the general well-being of the populace instead of focusing on boosting the competitiveness, profitability or growth of businesses and economies. 

While some might say that the linear economy is more profitable compared to the circular economy, experts say that this is not the case. In fact, the circular economy’s prioritization of recycling waste can lead to higher profits, increased competitiveness, more jobs for workers, and more long-term sustainability of businesses. 

A circular economy has three main elements

A circular economy has three main elements: 

  • Closed cycles: A closed cycle eliminates waste, as everything is recycled to create new products. 
  • Renewable energy: Energy can last forever in a circular economy because finite resources are not used to create power. Instead, cascade type energy flows are created.  
  • Systems thinking: Mindset is also very important in a circular economy, as the entire system needs to be coordinated so that individuals all play a role in the operation and maintenance of the circular economy.

Issues with the linear economy 

  • Studies have shown that this economic model is completely unsustainable. The only exception is if significant recycling programs are put into place.  
  • For nations that adhere to a linear economy, the environment is viewed as a simple, free resource with no limitations. 
  • The volume of products produced in this system is typically very high.  

The negative aspects of this economic model are clear to see. It can create financial instability, social inequality, misuse of or lack of use of building/property, waste dumped on the land and in the oceans, and environmental destruction. 

Linear economy advantages  

  • The linear economy allows as many products as possible to be created and sold. 
  • It allows nations to exploit natural resources to their fullest extent.

While these do not seem so much like advantages to the average person, these are advantages to businesses and manufacturers.  


What are the implications for a circular economy in a post-COVID world?

What are the implications for a circular economy in a post-COVID world

The value of a circular economy could reach $4.5 trillion by 2030. This is between 4-5% of the projected global gross domestic product.  

But a joint effort is required to make the circular economy work; people from many different industries need to cooperate to make it happen – which includes the lowest worker to the highest CEO. 

The linear economy must first transition to a “reuse economy” before making the final switch to a circular economy. 

While a reuse economy still produces waste, it prioritizes recycling, which is a necessary stepping stone to achieve a circular economy.  

The world can leverage the positive and negative effects of the pandemic to begin to build a new, more resilient and low-carbon economy.  

“The pandemic has highlighted the environmental folly of ‘extract, produce, use and dump’ economic model of material and energy flows, however the short-term resolutions to cope with the pandemic will not be sustainable in the long-run, as they do not reflect improvements in economic structures of the global economy,” Dr. Taofeeq Ibn-Mohammed, University of Warwick said.  

If we want to begin to create sustainable societies, we must first repurpose and reuse existing resources. Instead of building new properties – businesses, developers and companies should repurpose existing buildings.  

The pandemic has left many office buildings mostly empty due to the popularization of remote working; these spaces can be converted into housing, which would be helpful during the current housing crisis.  


The world is changing rapidly with flex space

The end of office real estate is only one sign of a rapidly-changing economy with shifting priorities.  

The pandemic has shown us all that working from home is the new normal and that many companies don’t actually need massive office buildings. The death of office real estate and the shift towards flex spaces is just one example of how this transition is taking place. 

When businesses need to host meetings or engage in team-building exercises, they can simply book a flex space, which are office spaces that can be booked on an as-needed basis. This eliminates higher rental costs for businesses (especially startups), and it can reduce the number of empty office buildings. Similarly, many self-employed workers utilize coworking spaces because working from home every day has its downsides; the negative impacts have been well-documented. 

When workers are geographically dispersed, they have a lower impact on communities, the environment, and the global economy.  

Many other industries should participate in this movement towards a circular economy; there is much more work to be done before we can truly protect our resources, recycle our products, and reuse whenever possible.  

Tags: circular economyeconomicsflex spacelinear economyoffice vacancyreal estate
ShareTweetShare
Emma Ascott

Emma Ascott

Emma Ascott is a contributing writer for Allwork.Space based in Phoenix, Arizona. She graduated from Walter Cronkite at Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication in 2021. Emma has written about a multitude of topics, such as the future of work, politics, social justice, money, tech, government meetings, breaking news and healthcare.

Relevant and Recommended For You

How to Establish Your Remote Startup

Here’s How to Establish Your Remote Startup

4 weeks ago
How To Improve Your Workplace ESG Score

How To Improve Your Workplace ESG Score

1 month ago

MySpace Founder Shares His Insights On Social Media In The Future Of Work, Plus Elon Musk’s Twitter Acquisition Debacle

1 month ago

Young Entrepreneurship Is On The Rise

2 months ago
No Result
View All Result

Upcoming Events

Aug 26
Featured Featured All day

Coworking Convo: Educating Your Community About Coworking

Aug 29
Featured Featured August 29 - August 31

Allwork.Space’s Reader Survey Sweepstakes

Sep 20
Featured Featured 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm

FlexWorld 2022

View Calendar
Clay AB test B
Essensys June
Alliance Virtual Offices AD
Nexudus May
swipedon

Listen to the experts themselves

News and Features

Business

Tech

Marketing

Design

Work-life

CRE

Coworking

Workforce

Daily Digest

Podcast

Resources

Marketplace

Events

Press Releases

FlexSpace, Coworking
and Office Space

Los Angeles

New York

Chicago

Washington, D.C.

Houston

Dallas

Miami

San Francisco

Atlanta

Philadelphia

Seattle

Austin

Company

About Us

How to Write for Us

Our Editorial Process

Contact

Advertise

FlexSpace

Terms Of Use

FlexSpace FAQs

Privacy Policy

Connect with Allwork.Space

Twitter

Linkedin

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Google Podcasts

©2022 Allwork.Space  l  Exploring the FUTURE OF WORK® since 2003.

No Result
View All Result
  • Daily Digest
  • Podcasts
  • Events
  • Resources
  • Marketplace
  • Business Directory
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
  • Find Space
  • About Us
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.
-
00:00
00:00

Queue

Update Required Flash plugin
-
00:00
00:00