Linear Vs Recycling Vs Circular Economy

Author : Amal Rahiman

While we all struggle to fight climate change, it is important to bring our economy to the right path as well. We only have a limited number of resources that we can use. The government, companies, and people must work together to use resources responsibly. That is why we need to shift from a linear economy to a circular economy, to ensure that society evolves in an eco-friendly manner.

What is a Linear Economy?

In very simple terms, it basically means to take-make-dispose. In other words, the maximum number of raw materials are collected and transformed into final products, and the remaining raw materials are left to be thrown away. The final product will also be disposed of, once it has fulfilled its usage.
Linear economy exists due to mass production practices. Products are simply created, with no thought given to their life cycle. Limited resources are exploited beyond thought, as the goal is to create as many products as possible, using the maximum resources.

Non-renewable resources are being used up at an alarming rate, causing damage to the environment. This results in CO2 emissions, which is also how a linear economy causes harm to the environment. Around 68% of raw materials are of non-renewable nature, resulting in severe damage to the environment. Besides harming the biosphere, the linear economy is also problematic because it leads to human exploitation. It emphasizes product quantity rather than product quality, resulting in mass production and consumption. Linear economy prioritizes profit over sustainability. Exploitation of workers and other resources can be commonly found in this economy.

What is a Recycling Economy?

Recycling starts at the end of a product’s life cycle. Not much thought is given to the design of the product to reduce waste, instead, the final product goes through a certain process to be recycled. Waste is less compared to a linear economy, but not as less as that from a circular economy. Products are not made with the intention of being reused. Their value cannot be increased over time, and in fact, they lose their value each time they are recycled.

What is a Circular Economy?

Circular economy is a far more sustainable option than a linear economy or a recycling economy. Production processes are designed to leave behind the least carbon footprint possible. Raw materials and finished products are considered to be valuable resources that can be reused for further production. Waste is kept to a minimal level, with the least raw materials used up for consumption.

The 3R principle (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) forms the backbone of the circular economy. The final products in this economy will be reused or recycled. Old products or materials will be used up as much as possible until they can finally be recycled. Since the products go through a circle of life from being made to being reused, the economy is called a circular economy. Through this economy, resources are used in a sustainable manner and non-renewable sources of energy are not particularly used.

In this economy, products are designed in a manner that allows them to be reused in the future, for multiple lifecycles. Waste and pollution are considered to be design flaws, that can be corrected during the initial process of design before raw materials are even procured. Environmental impacts are largely determined by decisions made at the design stage. Waste can actually be “designed out” of the production process, with proper strategies in place.

Benefits of a Circular Economy:

1) Reduced carbon footprint:

Approximately 45% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from food production, product use, and manufacturing. Every step of our product’s life cycle produces emissions. From the resources and energy used to manufacture and transport them to the emissions generated when we dispose of them, emissions are generated at almost every stage. The Circularity Gap Report 2021 implies that if circular economy principles were implemented on a global level, the overall greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by 30% by 2032.

2) Reduced Waste:

There are currently 300 million tons of plastic waste being generated annually, which negatively impacts ecosystems and human health as well as misses out on economic opportunities. Circular economy models can be used to significantly reduce the amount of waste being generated and increase economic development by turning it into a valuable resource.

3) Reduced consumption of resources:

Linear production is currently resource-intensive and unsustainable. The circular economy would focus on recycling, repairing, and remanufacturing rather than primarily using unused resources, removing the need to consume more raw materials. Reducing natural resource consumption is an important aspect of the circular economy ideology, and we can reduce our usage of these resources by as much as 70%!

4) Increased job opportunities:

According to a 2018 report from the International Labour Organization, a circular economy could create 6 million new jobs by 2030 if we switched to one. In the initial stages, while implementing the new strategies, it will be common to see job losses, but jobs in recycling, repair, renting, and remanufacturing will be created. While these new jobs may not be in the same location or require the same skills as those lost, they should be created so that they are available to provide a just transition and reskill workers for the new economy.

5) Improved business resilience:

Businesses can save on resource expenses and supply chain disruptions by switching to a circular economy model. A circular economy model uses less raw materials and more recycled materials. Supply disruptions are becoming more frequent and will continue to do so as the consequences of climate change become more frequent over the next few decades.

These benefits are just a snapshot of the effects of shifting to a circular economy. The crux of the matter is that a linear economy is not sustainable, even more so as we experience the consequences of greenhouse gas emissions. It is high time that businesses start looking into adopting circular economy practices in their production process.