Circular economy: what it is and what are the benefits for everyone

The circular economy is one of the goals set out in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Without the transition from a linear to a circular economy, we can never talk about sustainability. But what does the circular economy mean? What are its benefits for everyone? And how does it get there?

Index of topics

What

The circular economy is based on a premise: we waste too many resources, as demonstrated by the enormous amount of waste we produce (2,2 billion tons each year in the European Union alone). Through this new model of production and consumption, which revives traditional and consolidated lifestyles, recycling and reuse become a driving force for the economy, the lifespan of objects is extended (and this means combating planned obsolescence ) , pollution is reduced, and the waste disposal chain is streamlined. This means reducing pollution: within the European Union, industrial processes are responsible for 9,10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, while waste management has an impact of 3,3 percent.

Resources we consume

Every year, humanity as a whole uses approximately 100 billion raw materials. Ninety percent of this is virgin material, extracted in various ways, and only a third of this authentic wealth of natural resources is used to manufacture something that remains. The rest is burned, dispersed, and, becoming waste, polluting the air, soil, and marine and terrestrial waters. Only 9 percent of the raw materials initially used are subsequently recycled and repurposed. These are the paradoxical and unsustainable numbers of the linear economy, which must be replaced by the circular economy, with its benefits.

What do we waste the most?

The linear economy is based on waste, and fuels it through compulsive purchasing and lifestyles. Specifically, we waste:

31 percent of the food, throughout the entire chain, from production to distribution, up to domestic consumption
40 percent of the water both for irrigation and water dispersed in distribution networks
Half of the products they are not used throughout their entire life cycle
Only 40 percent of solid waste it is recycled

How much can the circular economy be worth?

There are various estimates of the potential value, in terms of revenue generated, of the circular economy. The most reliable calculations put global revenue at around $3 trillion per year. Revenue in Italy is around €88 billion, with €22 billion in added value created and over 500 jobs linked to the circular economy.

The Decalogue of the Circular Economy

In short, there are many effective and useful examples, often surprising. But how can the circular economy continue to grow? Here's a summary of a set of ten actions and objectives , prepared by the Circular Economy Network :

Spread and enrich the vision, knowledge, research and good practices of the circular economy.
Implement a national strategy and a circular economy action plan to address gaps and delays, with a broad participatory process involving all relevant stakeholders.
Improving the use of economic instruments for the circular economy.
Promoting the regenerative bioeconomy to ensure food safety and quality agriculture as a priority and to support innovative supply chains integrated into the local communities.
Extending the circular economy into public procurement with the use of Green Public Procurement (GPP).
Promoting the Circular Economy Cities Initiative, through integrated urban regeneration programs, according to the European green city model.
Achieve rapid and effective implementation of the new package of European directives on waste and the circular economy, aiming to improve prevention, increase recycling, use energy recovery to support recycling and make landfill disposal a waste.
Rapidly activate End of Waste practices, essential tool for the creation of a circular economy.
Ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place for the circular economy.
Extending the circular economy to online commerce, a type of trade still based on a linear economic model, which fuels the growth of disposable products that are difficult to recycle and repair, and increases resource waste.

Encyclical Laudato Si

The circular economy is not only at the heart of the UN 2030 Plan for Sustainable Development, as a goal to be shared across the planet for a new model of economic and social growth, with less waste and greater well-being for all. It is also a goal etched in the first pages of Pope Francis's Encyclical Laudato Si' . In chapter 22 of a document that serves as a compass for Catholics on sustainability, and not only for them, Pope Francis recalls the problem that must be solved in the world: eliminating that "throwaway culture that affects excluded human beings as much as the things that quickly turn into waste." Hence the call for "a model of circular production that ensures resources for all and for future generations, and which requires limiting the use of non-renewable resources as much as possible, moderating consumption, maximizing the efficiency of their exploitation, reusing and recycling." Through the door of the circular economy, concludes Chapter 22 of the Encyclical Laudato Si', we can counter "the throwaway culture that ends up damaging the entire planet." However, we must acknowledge that "progress in this direction is still very limited." That is, we waste too much and collect too little compared to the enormous possibilities of lifestyles and economic models inspired by the idea of reuse, recycling, and full respect for the balance of Mother Nature.