Post by account_disabled on Feb 19, 2024 23:22:55 GMT -5
Surely you have heard about the circular economy , since this is considered a system for using resources that seeks to minimize production, reuse elements that cannot be incorporated into the environment and use as many biodegradable materials as possible in manufacturing. . Some experts have taken the lead on the topic and have a lot to say, one of them is Lauren Phipps, Director and Senior Analyst in Circular Economy , who recently wrote on the topic for the GreenBiz portal . We share with you her reflection and some questions of interest. In the voice of Lauren Phipps As I started thinking about the year of content and coverage ahead, I thought I'd kick things off by sharing some important questions I'll be asking myself, plus some predictions about how they might be answered. Will companies align circular economy initiatives with climate goals, or continue to treat them as discrete initiatives? Prediction: To date, only a handful of companies (and countries) have significantly harmonized circular strategies and climate commitments, presumably given the novelty of these programs and the complexity of calculating the impacts of new models on emissions.
Foresee increased research, monitoring and reporting on the environmental impacts of circular business models (resale, repair, rental, product as a service), and an increased focus on leveraging circular strategies to achieve climate goals. What role will communities and justice play in the circular economy conversation? Prediction: A lot. Building on the foundation of environmental justice work Europe Cell Phone Number List in communities around the world, equity and impact will be at the center of how companies and cities alike consider the opportunities of a circular economy. For cities, circular economy initiatives will be used to drive economic equality and create jobs; and for companies, the same scrutiny used to evaluate upstream supply chains will be applied to downstream value chains. What role will bioplastics and other bio-based materials play in the shift away from non-renewable materials for packaging and products? Prediction: Biomaterials will be a hot topic in 2021 as companies look for alternatives to virgin plastics and race toward 2025 goals. A polarizing topic, biomaterials will be evaluated through a more holistic lens and examine upstream implications, including food security, deforestation and petroleum-based fertilizers, as well as end-of-life management issues. useful life.
Greater emphasis will be placed on the distinctions between biomaterials and the appropriate use cases for each of them. Will companies expand reuse models or focus on smaller-scale pilot projects? Prediction: Repurposing continues to gain momentum and attention, and for good reason. I foresee a continued increase in reusable packaging models, although more in the number of participants than in the scale of their programs. Smaller-scale, more localized start -ups will leap onto the scene, although truly comprehensive, larger-scale models will remain elusive. Will the incoming Biden administration have any impact on progress toward more circular systems? Prediction: Given last week's news, I'm more optimistic than ever about the possibility of federal action on plastic pollution and greater investment in recycling infrastructure, but I'm not holding my breath on sweeping legislation on recycling. plastics production in 2021. However, regardless of federal policymaking, compliance will play an increasingly important role in corporate action on materials, as NGOs hold companies accountable for deficiencies at the state level. Let's wait to see what's in store for the circular economy this year and see if Lauren Phipps' predictions will be right.