Circular Economy

A standard economic model for justified world

The way we produce and consume things in our current economy is not perfect. We are used to a traditional, linear economic model, which is based on an extract-make-consume-throw away process. This model depends on massive amount of natural resources which we extract from nature. Planned obsolescence is also a part of this model when a product is designed to have a short lifespan to encourage consumers to buy it again. In this way we consume a lot of raw material from earth and produce huge amount of waste that goes into the nature. These waste not only impact the balance of nature but also affect our lives.

Circular economy is an idea or a model of economy where we shall use less and consume less raw materials from nature and reuse the products we already have. We can do that by reusing what we already have, reducing our use of products, sharing our resources with others, refurbishing and recycling etc. According to European Parliament, “The circular economy is a model of production and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended.”

We have to take measures to practice these into our lives. We all have a role to play in this matter. We can play these roles in personal level by making changes in personal habits and lifestyle choices. For example, reducing personal carbon footprint by conserving energy, using public transport or adopting sustainable consumption habits. We can practice this in our social level by participating in or organizing community-based programs or initiatives that promote principles of circular economy. We can also play our roles at national and international levels by advocating for sustainable development and green energy.

Responsible Production

We have to be more responsible in producing things. Apart from maximizing profits, we must produce things in such a way that those are durable, made with such materials which are easily recyclable and do less damage to the nature. Policy should be made in national and international level regarding that.

Reduce

Reduce means reduction in buying new products. We should be more responsible while buying products. When we decide to buy something, we have to be sure that we really need that. Moreover, if we really need to buy something we need to go for the one that will serve the same purpose but is more sustainable and last long. And we also need to know how the product is made and the appropriate way to safely dispose that item.

The more we buy, the more we need to produce and the more we need to extract raw materials from earth. One person’s effort may seem nothing, but if we can establish this practice as a philosophy, the impact will be enormous.

Reuse

Reuse means using the same product again and again. We tend to buy new products everyday while we can just keep using the same product we already have. We should use the products we already have properly and repair them if necessary. We can always give our old clothes to our younger siblings rather than throwing them away. We can use one shopping bag or grocery bag every time rather than taking new bags from the shops every time we shop.

However, if a product no longer can server its original purpose, we can think of another way to use that. For example, we can always use our old buckets as flower tubs. When we are done with that product, we can think of someone else who might need that. We can also sell our used products online.

Recycle

Recycling means transforming waste materials into fresh materials and items, often incorporating the extraction of energy from these waste materials.

When a product is not usable by anyone, we should just recycle that product. We should keep separate bins for dry waste and wet waste. We should have the knowledge of which product is made of what materials so that we can give it for recycling.

Responsible Disposal

The consumption of goods and materials has reached unprecedented levels. With this consumption comes the inevitable generation of waste, posing significant challenges to our environment and public health. We just can’t throw our used products or materials into the nature. Instead, there is an urgent need to develop comprehensive plans and strategies for the responsible disposal of every item we use. Adequate infrastructure is critical for facilitating waste collection, sorting, recycling and disposal. The Government and municipality must invest in modern waste management facilities, including recycling centers, composting facilities and hazardous waste treatment plants to ensure that waste is managed efficiently and responsibly.

Why do we need circular economy?

We need to shift to a circular economy as soon as possible. The world is facing numerous problems like global warming, environment pollution, automation, job loss etc. A circular economy model can mitigate these problems.

Moving towards a circular economy offers a comprehensive approach to sustainable development, promoting economic prosperity, environmental stewardship, social equity and just transition. Rethinking production, consumption and waste management practices is crucial for building a resilient, equitable and regenerative economy that meets the needs of present and future generations.

Resource Preservation

The world’s population is growing very rapidly and with it the demand for raw materials is also growing. But, the supply of raw materials is limited. In a circular economy, earth’s resources are utilized for an extended period of time through fair practices.

Waste Minimization

A shift to more durable products that can be reused, upgraded and repaired would reduce the amount of waste. A circular economy aims to eliminate waste generation, thereby reducing environmental pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

Economic Advancement

A circular economy promotes innovation in product design, resource management in such a way that this will create new markets and job opportunities.

Environmental Conservation

A circular economy minimizes environmental degradation by reducing pollution and safeguarding biodiversity.

Another benefit from the circular economy is a reduction in total annual greenhouse gas emissions.