In recent years, the concepts of circularity have gained significant attention in the realm of sustainable waste management. Circular economy principles offer an alternative to the traditional linear model of “take, make, dispose of”, aiming to maximize resource efficiency and minimize waste generation.

The global economy is now only 7.2% circular; and it’s getting worse year on year—driven by rising material extraction and use.¹ We have to rethink the way we use our common resources to provide for our future generations. By closing the loop and reimagining waste as a valuable resource, circularity offers a regenerative system that benefits the environment, economy, and society at large.

In this blog, we will explore the key concepts of circularity in waste management and highlight its transformative potential in promoting sustainability.

Rethinking Waste

Circularity challenges the notion of waste as something to be discarded and instead prompts us to think of waste as a resource that can aid the production cycle. Nature is the best teacher of this, where all things are cyclic, such as the water cycle, nutrient cycle and all chemical cycles.  We thus need to rethink of the products we use in the same way. This shift in mindset sets the stage for innovative solutions that minimize waste generation and maximize resource recovery.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The three pillars of waste management—reduce, reuse, and recycle—are foundational to circularity. By reducing the amount of waste generated, reusing products and materials whenever possible, and recycling them through smart end-of-life options, we can conserve resources and minimize the environmental impact of waste. Our current economies run on increasing production of consumer goods, instead there is a need to make reuse and recycle drivers of the economies. With a circular economy, we can fulfil people’s needs* with just 70% of the materials we currently use—within the safe limits of the planet.²

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Circularity places an emphasis on holding producers accountable for the entire life cycle of their products, even in their waste form. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mandates that manufacturers take responsibility for the proper disposal or recycling of their products once they reach the end of their useful life. The Plastic Waste Management Rules 2016 and its amendments are making it mandatory for producers (companies) to pay for recovery and recycling of the plastic that companies introduce in the environment. Coca Cola pays collection agencies to collect and recycle its plastic bottles.

This further incentivizes producers to design products that are more durable, repairable, and recyclable, thus promoting circularity. For e.g. Dell has reengineered their hardware to extract maximum components at the end of life of the hardware for recycling and reuse.

Resource Recovery and Valorization

Circularity aims to extract maximum value from waste by recovering and valorizing its resources. Valorization, which means recovering value from waste resources, can take different forms depending on the nature of the waste material. Valorization can convert waste into energy, usable materials, nutrients (from organic waste), and chemicals that can be reused. Waste of one process can become the raw material for another product, such as coconut shells make good coir products. These processes not only reduce waste going to landfills but can also contribute to the production of clean energy and soil fertility. However, we have to be conscious of the energy and cost required for conversion and quantity of the end product generated in the process of recovery.

Closed-Loop Systems

Closed loop systems, in the context of circularity, refer to systems where resources are continually circulated and reused even after reaching their waste form, to minimize the need for extracting new raw materials for the production cycle. A good example of a closed loop system is recycling of glass.

Circularity thrives on establishing closed-loop systems. Such systems can be optimized through practices like remanufacturing, where products are disassembled, repaired, and reintroduced into the market, or through the adoption of circular supply chains that prioritize the use of recycled materials. By closing the loop, we reduce the need for fresh resources and reduce the strain on ecosystems.

In Conclusion

The adoption of circularity in waste management offers a plethora of benefits for sustainability. Organizations that embark on circular transformations and create more adaptable operating and business models will be better positioned to prosper, even in times of disruption, while contributing to sustainable growth.³ By rethinking waste, reducing waste generation, promoting reuse and recycling, and implementing extended producer responsibility, we can transition from a linear model to a regenerative circular system that supports environmental preservation and resource conservation.

Circular practices not only minimize the ecological impact of waste but also create opportunities for economic growth, innovation, and job creation. By embracing circularity, we reconnect with nature and  shift the traditional though-process of seeing waste as a burden to  rather a valuable resource that can be transformed into new products, energy, and other useful materials.

It is through the power of circularity that we can build a sustainable and resilient future for generations to come. Kushaagra has been an ardent believer in the benefits of circularity. We have introduced this concept in all our sustainability solutions. We believe that we can reduce, recycle and reuse 80% of the waste we now generate.

Whether you are a civilian, a cooperative housing society, or a business looking to reduce its waste component, you can take advantage of circularity to create a deep impact on the environment. Write to us to learn how.

Citations:
1,2: The Circular Gap Report 2023 – CGR
3: Circular Transformation of Industries: Unlocking New Value in a Resource-Constrained World