The circular economy is a green model that aims at minimizing waste through reusing, repairing, repurposing, and recycling products rather than disposing of them. It is closely related to waste management strategies such as composting, recycling, and minimizing landfill waste, all in a bid to save resources and reduce the impact on the environment. By adopting circular economy practices, we can minimize landfill waste, reduce methane emissions, and combat climate change, paving the way for a greener future.
What is a circular economy and why is it important?
A circular economy is a system that emphasizes keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible, rather than discarding them. Rather than using resources to create products that ultimately end up as waste, a circular economy designs products and systems to be more sustainable, minimizing waste and maximizing resources. It’s about creating with fewer materials, making less harmful products, and recycling waste back into new products and materials. It lessens harm to the environment, combats climate change, and enables a wiser approach to satisfying society’s needs without squandering resources. A circular economy, based on the Sustainable Materials Management (SMM) strategy, aims to reduce the negative environmental consequences of materials, like their contribution to climate change. It aims to employ fewer toxic materials, disengage the connection between the use of materials and economic development, and improve responses to societal needs.
Why is it important?
Operating on a circular economy is a key way to help slow down the climate crisis and its harmful effects. We must take action to end the climate crisis, and recycling materials is part of that action. The United Nations discovered that extracting and using natural resources creates approximately half of all global emissions of greenhouse gases. Because of this, it is important to apply strategies, like the circular economy, in order to reduce these materials’ harmful effects.
A circular economy, if well designed, can be good for the environment, the economy, and fairness. For a system to be sustainable, it must also be fair to all. The way we take, use, and dispose of our resources can unfairly damage vulnerable communities. Poor communities usually experience more environmental and health issues since landfills and factories are situated in close proximity to them. The circular economy strategy seeks to minimize waste, reduce harmful substances, and recycle valuable minerals. The aim is to develop healthy jobs and communities for all.