In a world suffocating in its own waste, the circular economy is not just a trend - it's a necessity. The circular economy, based on the principles of reduction, reuse, renewal and recycling, offers a model in which the life cycle of a product does not end in a landfill, but instead gets a new opportunity - as raw material for the creation of a new product and new value. The idea of waste as a resource opens the door to a more sustainable future.
From linear to circular
The prevailing linear model of the economy, which implies the exploitation of natural resources without a plan for the future, has led to an alarming level of environmental pollution. In contrast, the circular economy promotes sustainability through innovative practices that turn waste into resources, highlighting the economic viability of such an approach. Global Waste Management Review, prepared by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) and the International Solid Waste Management Association (ISWA), highlights that the net gain potential of circular practices, through avoidance of waste production, sustainable business practices and total waste management, amounts to a staggering $108.5 billion annually. A key part of this transformation includes the concept of Zero Waste, which fits perfectly into the circular economy by promoting the elimination of waste through the reduction of use, reuse, recycling and composting, while minimizing the consumption of disposable products and packaging. This approach not only reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills and in rivers, seas and oceans, but also encourages the development of sustainable business models that use resources in the most efficient way possible instead of the so far unsustainable approach of "Take, use, throw away".
The Zero Waste concept expands the vision of the circular economy by emphasizing preventive measures to reduce waste at source itself, promoting product and packaging design in a way that maximizes the use of products and is easily recycled or composted. By applying the Zero Waste principle, businesses and consumers become key actors in creating a sustainable future, where every resource has its own value and purpose, further encouraging innovation and economic efficiency within the circular economy.
The integration of the Zero Waste concept in the circular economy not only solves the consequences of unsustainable consumption, but also actively works on waste prevention. The synergy between Zero Waste and circular economy is the key to achieve environmental, economic and social benefits on a global scale.
Waste as a resource – Imaginary term or the future?
The latest research shows that the average amount of waste produced by one inhabitant of BiH is in average 350 kg on annual level. Taking into account the figure of 3,531,159 inhabitants in BiH, a very simple calculation leads to the figure of 1,235,905,650 KG OF WASTE ANNUALLY! And what if the resulting waste was used as a resource?
Just some of the advantages of using waste as a resource are as follows:
- Burning 10,000 tons of waste creates 1 job, and disposing of the same amount of waste creates 6 jobs. Recycling 10,000 tons of waste creates as many as 36 jobs!
- Aluminium recycling requires 95% less energy than its production from ore!
- Recycled steel saves 60% of production energy, recycled newspaper 40% of production energy, recycled plastic 70% of production energy and recycled glass 40% of production energy! Therefore, there are clear benefits in terms of energy savings that companies can achieve by using waste as a resource.
- Principles such as industrial symbiosis where the by-product of one industry is used as an input resource of the other one results in various benefits – in better waste management, but also in reduction of material procurement costs!
- Use of alternative types of fuel – e.g. RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) in the cement production process also contributes to environmentally acceptable waste management and evident reduction of CO2 emissions.
The EU Circular Economy Action Plan aims to double the rate of reuse of materials to reduce the uncontrolled consumption of natural resources. In 2022, it amounted to 11.5%, which is quite a low value. In the future, it will certainly be necessary to reduce the consumption of materials and promote sustainable elements of production processes as key elements for mitigating negative impacts on the environment.
Just some of the innovative examples and possibilities of reuse and utilization of different resources and materials:
- When it comes to plastic, it largely depends on the type and quality of the material itself. But on average, we can recycle plastic 2-3 times!
- Every time paper is recycled it shortens the fibers within its texture. Despite this, we can recycle paper between 5 and 7 times!
- Glass, steel and aluminium do not lose any quality during recycling so these materials can be recycled INFINITELY many times.
- Agricultural-food waste from different plants (e.g. apples and hazelnuts) can be used in the production of skin and hair products!
- The pulp that is produced as a by-product of the production of orange juice makes up 60% of the weight of the fresh fruit and can be used for the production of sustainable types of fabrics! Many other plants, such as mango, cactus or pineapple, can be used to produce fabrics.
- Construction materials produced from sustainable raw materials greatly contribute to the reduction of waste, if we take into account that the construction industry is one of the largest producers of waste. Thus for example one company in Amsterdam, these practices made it possible to reduce the amount of waste by 77,250 kg!
The role of the individual in the circular economy
Each of us can contribute to the circular economy. From recycling and composting to conscious shopping and supporting sustainable local businesses, small changes in everyday life can have a big impact. Social welfare also increases when communities become more environmentally conscious and economically sustainable. Understanding the impact of our daily choices on the environment and society is key to adopting more sustainable habits. Through education, either through formal channels such as preschools and schools and universities, or through awareness raising campaigns, we can develop a better understanding of how our actions affect our environment.
By introducing the principles of the circular economy, from individual habits to global industrial practices, we can significantly reduce the ecological footprint and at the same time boost the economy. The circular economy offers more than environmental and economic benefits - it is a roadmap towards a sustainable future.
