Downcycling-as-Circularity
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Counting any reuse or recycling, regardless of value retention, as “closing the loop” — for example, treating crushed concrete as road base and claiming circularity, or using reclaimed steel as scrap-metal feedstock for re-melting. Names the trap, explains why R8/R9 are last resorts in the 9R hierarchy, and gives the test for distinguishing genuine value-retaining recycling from downcycling.