Initiatives towards a sustainable future have been appearing left and right. Climate change has opened the eyes of many to developing various ways of preserving the Earth.
The term “circular economy” might not be familiar to you yet. However, it is a concept that is more or less familiar. Here is what you should know about circular economies and why they are important to our environment.
What Circular Economies Are
Circular economies are innovative production and consumption models to achieve sustainable growth over time. The model pushes for the utilization of resources, reducing consumption of raw materials and waste recovery by upcycling or recycling them.
Circular economies aim to make the most out of the available resources by applying the basic principle of reducing, reusing, and recycling.
This economy will extend the life cycle of products, but it will also use waste more efficiently to establish a more sustainable production. The structure is based on nature, where everything of value is utilized, and waste is used as a resource.
Through this type of economy, you can achieve the balance between sustainability and progress.
How Different Is It to a Linear Economy?
A linear model is another manifestation of extracting, producing, consuming, and discarding. As society grows, the pace at which humans consume resources is accelerating.
The linear production model is unsustainable. It is depleting resources faster than they can be replenished.
On the contrary, the circular economy shows a more sustainable path for production and consumption. Raw materials are maintained for a longer period in the cycle and can be used repetitively.
The circular model relies on sustainability. Its goal is to maximize resources for as long as possible to generate less waste.
What to Benefit From Circular Economies
A circular model is beneficial not only to the environment but also to you.
- It Helps Reduce Using Non-Renewable Resources. Scientists have warned about the dangers of abusing the use of limited resources.
Non-renewable resources are still being used as if the supply is endless. The circular model encourages reusing various sources and maximizing their use rather than putting them to waste.
- It Can Lower Carbon Emissions. Materials management is a big contributor to greenhouse gases.
Following a circular model will minimize greenhouse emissions as the entire model is centred on materials’ sustainable management. In this model, materials are more efficiently managed by reusing and recycling them.
- It Aims for Zero Waste. The foundation of circular economies is reusing resources to create a zero-waste model.
Zero-waste would mean less plastic and trash in the oceans and fewer landfills. There will also be less need to gather limited resources that can be reused instead.
Many environmental models involve waste reduction strategies to achieve zero waste. But, on the other hand, the circular model aims for growth. This is why it is an ideal objective for various industries and even individuals to achieve goals for the environment.
- It is Beneficial to Consumers. Because the model encourages waste reduction, consumers can buy products that last longer.
When you buy reusable products, you will be less likely to keep buying the same product, which generates more waste. The circular model encourages more economical practices for consumers.
Achieving the goal of a circular environmental model will not be easy. It needs an effort from people from all around the globe, including individuals, businesses, and governments.
With all the benefits it could provide, people should start working towards achieving more sustainable living through the circular model.
