循環型消費

00:02 May 23, 2016 

Thank you all for your discussion inputs.
* Good point from you, PortCity. This opposition is valid and my preferred tentative phrase misleading, regardless of Google hit frequency.
* I have since found 2 instances of "regenerative consumption" (one of which is actually in the "generative consumption" class):
- astronauts routinely recover potable water out of grey water and their liquid body waste. The international Space Station can recycle about 93 percent of the liquids it receives. (http://www.universetoday.com/101775/an-inside-look-at-the-wa...
- fast breeder reactors produce about 30% more fuel than they utilize in their operation (http://www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-and-disadvantages-...
- but looking for more... If your text gives some, Nick, please keep us posted on which those are, won't you? Cheers.

11:50 May 21, 2016 

I think you've hit on an interesting point. Regenerative consumption feels like an oxymoron because consuming something suggests that there's nothing good left at the end. So biologically speaking, the only way we could have "regenerative consumption" is if we make food from our feces. I'll probably go with this term, although it has made me wonder whether "regenerative USE of resources" would be more appropriate!!

11:24 May 21, 2016 

Precisely! "Regenerative consumption" sounds a bit oxymoron, but it seems to be used far more often than "recycling-oriented consumption". When we say "recycling-oriented consumption", at least it may convey something like we consume the content of packaged foodstuff but recycle the packaging.

11:09 May 21, 2016 

It's funny: "regenerative energy" does not jostle our common sense. "non-regenerative consumption" does not either; but "regenerative consumption" does, and, apart from "food consumption", I can't think of an example, can you everyone? Even though logic suggests that if a "xxx" is conceivable, then a "non-xxx" should not be an impossible concept. Yet, until I can come across a real life instance of that, such a phrase remains an oxi-moron to me. Not You? :-) Would have to settle for something like " recycling-oriented consumption."