So what do we do? Doing nothing is not an option. But without incentives, advancing circularity feels entirely infeasible at times.
One way to trigger this transition is through government regulation or rules. In California, there has been concerted effort to move away from plastic - plastic straws or plastic bags - such as the SB270 measure.
Most of the current strategy of the EPA is focused on better recycling and waste management.
In countries like France, there are policy goals from the government to ensure industries such as farming work towards a zero carbon footprint.
China made it a priority to transition towards a circular economy as early as 2001. This commitment has now become a national priority, demonstrating the global nature of the circular economy movement.
Australia has a similar strategy to the US focused on “designing out waste and pollution”.
Latin American countries such as Brazil, with its National Solid Waste Policy is not far behind.
While waste management and reduction are consistent themes across all these countries regarding advancing circularity, there is minimal discussion or legislation on managing and controlling consumption. Clearly, the concern would be that if we consume less, it will negatively impact the economic growth of all nations involved, i.e., it will impact the prosperity of you and me. Is there a middle ground? Can we consume less and, therefore, produce less without a negative impact on the economy?
References:California, S. O. (n.d.). Publication Summary. https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/Publications/Details/1647#:~:text=The%20statewide%20Single%2DUse%20Carryout,Proposition%2067%20in%20November%202016
BUILDING A CIRCULAR ECONOMY FOR ALL. (2022, September). EPA. https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-09/EPA_Circular_Economy_Progress_Report_Sept_2022.pdf
French policies to tackle climate change | Climate change observations 2023. (n.d.). Climate change observations 2023. https://www.statistiques.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/edition-numerique/chiffres-cles-du-climat-2023/en/19-french-policies-to-tackle-climate
China’s Circular Economy Policies. (2023, January). Circular Innovation Lab. https://circulareconomy.europa.eu/platform/sites/default/files/2023-08/China%E2%80%99s%20Circular%20Economy%20Policies_%20Review%20and%20Reflection.pdf
Transitioning to a more circular economy. (2023). Australian Government. https://www.dcceew.gov.au/environment/protection/circular-economy
CIRCULAR ECONOMY STRATEGIC PATH FOR BRAZILIAN INDUSTRY. (2020). Brazilian National Confederation of Industry. https://static.portaldaindustria.com.br/media/filer_public/3a/a6/3aa67ad0-4e7c-46c8-8b10-0c6d097f35cf/circular_economy_-_interativo.pdf
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