Why should we transition from a linear to a circular economy?
1 April 2022
In various aspects, a circular economy differs from a linear economy. In a linear economy, we mine raw materials, turn them into a product, and then discard them. We close the cycles of all these natural resources in a circular economy. Closing these loops necessitates far more than recycling. It alters how value is created and kept and how production is made more sustainable and which business models are employed. Throughout evolution, man has been in constant contact as a part of nature and nature as his original surroundings. Humans have assured supplies for life, reproduction, and survival and development through this relationship.
Natural resources exploit
Man has increasingly exploited natural resources and manufactured commodities for his use by employing diverse technologies acquired via evolution due to learning from nature and accumulating knowledge through generations. We may say that all of the objects, items, and other things in our environment are made up of natural resources. One of the most significant achievements made by man is that whatever he requires may be made from materials found in that area if he masters the relevant technologies. Until recently, resources were thought to be limitless throughout history. Some resources, however, are restricted. The phrase “renewable” resources are frequently used, and it usually refers to solar energy, wind energy, water energy, and other forms of renewable energy. The term “renewable” isn’t appropriate. Solar energy, for example, is constantly emitted and does not regenerate. The same may be said of wind energy. Water energy is renewable in proportion to the amount of water replenished in specific water channels.
MOVE FROM THE LINEAR TO THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
There are at least four major trends that present growth constraints:
- the earth as a source of food and nonrenewable material resources;
- the environment’s ability to absorb waste and various emissions as a harmful environmental aspect of production processes
- the consumerist urban way of life.
- 4 Ignoring these constraints puts people’s survival on the line in the long run. It causes a slew of economic, environmental, and political issues in the short term.
The linear economy concepts
The still prevailing notion of the linear economy had no severe restrictions in the early stages of industrialization in today’s developed Western countries. Natural resources were plentiful and inexpensive, upgraded and optimized technology, and the linear economy concept served as the growth paradigm. Production, employment, profit, level of living, city growth, and demand for all types of goods all increased due to this expansion. In truth, it’s a vicious spiral whose movement has been hurt by the hyperproduction crises on a cyclical basis.