How Effective is the Sustainable Circular Economy Model in Addressing Waste Issues

Have you been convinced that recycling and upcycling are enough to put an end to the surging waste stream? If so, why are environmental hazards and planetary crises still on the rise? Clearly, the long-established linear economic model of take-make-dispose is flawed. What’s amiss is responsible recycling and the urgency to stop producing waste altogether.

Fact check:

• Every year, 400 million tonnes of hazardous waste are generated across the globe.
• India alone produces 63 million tonnes of waste every year.
• The numbers are expected to spike to 3.88 billion tonnes in the next three decades.

It is truly alarming! Although almost 70% of the waste generated is collected, treated, or recycled, the rest is dumped in landfills or disposed of in dangerous conditions. Little did you realise that unsustainable management of such wastes impact the severity of environmental conditions, health, and welfare of the growing population. Since discarding and recycling are not enough to preserve the environmental conditions, adoption of a circular economy is undoubtedly the next big thing.

What is a circular economy?

A circular economy refers to an upgraded and sustainable production and consumption model that aims to prolong the lifecycle of a product and minimise the creation and spawning of waste. It is certainly a transition from a linear economy model that works on the principles of take-make-consume-discard with little or no concern for the adverse ecological footprint. What’s more, the process puts the ratio of finite natural resources on the line.

On the other hand, the circular economy principles primarily focus on the three R’s: reduce, reuse, and recycle. It is truly a sustainable practise that drives increased optimisation of resources, a major shrink in the utilisation of raw materials, and maximises recycling of wastes to give products a useful second life. Truth be told, the circular flow of economic activity is inspired by nature. Wondering how? Let’s explain. In nature, everything, big or small, is of good value. Waste, too, is sustainably refurbished to serve as a promising resource. Similarly, circular economy brings a well-designed and sustainable framework into the limelight. The model endeavours to keep raw materials, products, and services in a closed loop and keep them in circulation for as long as possible.

Besides, a circular economy model entails redesigning products into a more durable, reusable, and recyclable version. The process aims to recover resources at the end of a product’s lifecycle and channel them back into production. Also, it is an initiative to rethink and change the mindset around consumerism.

How is Karo Sambhav pioneering a breakthrough in the world today?

Karo Sambhav, an acclaimed social enterprise in the country, is dedicated to making circular economy and sustainability a movement. The producer responsibility organisation brings responsible, sustainable, and tech-enabled waste management services to the forefront and accelerates transformative solutions at scale. The organisation implements a strategic policy approach, also known as EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility), motivating industries and manufacturers to take responsibility for maintaining and optimising a product’s lifecycle.

It is no secret that manufacturing industries, IT firms, and commercial ventures play a significant role in the surging waste crisis. Materials from products are either mishandled or lost to landfills. However, did you think plastic waste is the only thing that jeopardises the ecosystem? Don’t forget the nation’s burgeoning technology-driven economy and electronics market! The colossal amount of e-waste stands out as a larger, more pressing issue. Little did you know that scraps from electronic devices contain a slew of harsh chemicals that endanger both the environment and people's health? Mishandling electronics in landfills or ignoring an upsurge of e-waste worsens the hazardous environmental conditions.

Although businesses have voluntarily stepped up to turn down the tide on increasing waste issues, the need for an organised infrastructure to reuse, recycle, and keep products in a loop is a pressing need of the hour. Karo Sambhav works by creating a cohesive and enhanced recycling chain for individual consumers and enterprises. The organisation plans to drive behaviour change via awareness programmes. From setting up collection centres in over thirty Indian states and UTs and prompt product tracking to creating dismantling units and ensuring auditable and clean supply chains, the brand envisions implementing a holistic and collaborative approach to tackle the odds of a waste crisis.

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