Circular economy waste management combines the effectiveness of both practices in order to create a more efficient workplace. The two go hand-in-hand in a valuable and effective way that it worth exploring.
The connection between the two is a general desire to create a more environmentally conscious society through more efficient workplace practices. Both can provide valuable insights to the other.
This blog explores what circular economy waste management is and how both fit together to create more sustainable practices. Ultimately, it sheds light on how waste management companies are always looking to better their current practices.
Understanding Circular Economy Waste Management
Traditional economic practices, particularly in their relationship with waste management, are slowly being seen as partially ineffective. A good deal of this has to do with the amount of goods that are being produced and disposed of ineffectively.
Circular economy practices look at methods of keeping resources within the production sphere. This could be as simple as extracting raw materials from mobile phones instead of having them rot in landfills.
The general goal is to lessen the amount of waste through better production techniques. Here is where it connects with waste management given that many waste companies work with waste reduction techniques.
Both, then, can provide value to the other, so it should not come as a surprise that major waste companies are considering how circular economic practices complement their own work.
Principles of Circular Economy Waste Management
The principles that surround circular economy waste management should not be unfamiliar to anyone who is interested in waste management best practices. In fact, many waste management companies can provide new ideas for greater efficiency along these practices.
The four principles listed below are by no means exhaustive. They can give a person a glimpse into this world in the hopes of setting the groundwork for future knowledge and innovations within both sectors.
Design for Longevity
It is a core belief that products should not be designed to be disposed of. This was something of an unaccounted-for fact, but it is becoming less popular as the world is looking to develop more sustainable and eco-friendly products and practices.
Extend Product Life
Products that last longer tend to be preferred by consumers. Most people are generally willing to pay more for quality, and an extended life of a product is part of this. It also reduces the endless cycle of production, consumption, and waste creation.
Recycling
Everyone knows that they should recycle: its benefits are well known. Additionally, it is key to many modern ways of managing waste. It is also a major indication of how circular economy waste management functions.
Business Model Innovation
Managing waste is a major part of the economy due to everything creating some kind of waste. Businesses that want to thrive in the future should consider this and should work towards creating more innovative business models.
Circular Economy Principles and Waste Management
The connection between both concepts remains to be efficiency and environmental best practices. Each offers their unique experience in order to find better means to lessen the large amounts of waste being produced each year.
The waste management industry is uniquely positioned amongst many industries. It works with almost everyone and, therefore can provide ideas that many do not think of. It is also an essential component of any functioning economy.
The principles of modern waste management usually revolve around lessening the amount of waste being generated. While there are many methods to do so, it ultimately falls on the producers of waste to take action.
Waste Reduction
Waste reduction involves going to the production stage of products and finding ways to design them so that less waste is produced. It also can involve turning waste items into something new and valuable.
Efforts to reduce waste also tend to correlate with a greater desire to have more effective manufacturing processes. When employees need to by mindful of many things, new innovations can come about.
Lessen Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Most people are aware that greenhouse gases are bad for humans and the environment, so we need to do something to reduce this. Waste management principles align with this global aim, making them very useful in handling such problems.
This is also likely to come about without large-scale changes in the ways that production processes currently work. We should look at changing some of the economic means beyond just a single product, and this can be done with circular practices.
Economic Benefits
Efficient waste management tends to roll into economic benefits due to the way that it can change how businesses operate. This makes them attractive to more than those who might not be as interested in being more efficient or eco-conscious.
It also has the real potential to attract new customers who want to buy products that are not harmful to the environment.
Reduction in Landfill Dependency
Older waste models loved to rely on municipal landfills and dumpsites. While there is nothing wrong with these infrastructures, industries should adapt and change wherever possible. This can be achieved alongside circular economic values.
How Circular Economy Waste Management Works
Implementing circular economy waste management in practice involves several strategies that are gaining traction across Australia. These strategies seek to tackle climate change in an effective manner through the circular economy approach.
Given that it is impossible to eliminate waste and pollution entirely, many see that global challenges towards waste and pollution must focus on material recovery and the life cycle of products and materials. This has led to numerous drives that encourage consumers to be more mindful about their waste management systems.
Recycling Programs
Recycling is one of the most valuable waste management methods due to its ability to convert otherwise unwanted waste into something useful. It also perfectly aligns with the circular economy idea of production.
Implementing recycling problems also does not need to be something that only waste management companies do. We can help to set them up, but people should also take the initiative to promote recycling in their workspace and at home.
Repair and Remanufacturing
Discarded items ultimately cause the majority of waste across almost every production sector. This should not come as a surprise, but it really does not have to be the case. People should look for ways to repair where possible.
Additionally, many small businesses have begun to see the benefits of repairing and remanufacturing items that people no longer need or want. Just because it is trash does not mean that it does not have to provide value.
Product Take-Back Programs
Some companies have begun to offer various take-back programs whereby old and discarded products can be returned to the store. This means that the same materials used to create one product can be reused to create another.
More businesses should do this. For one, it is very good at lowering the amount of waste produced while also keeping production costs low. It also attracts customers who are looking for more eco-friendly products and companies.
Sustainable Product Development
When it comes to the actual creation of new products and goods, companies should consider both their disposal and how they can be repurposed. The reason is that more work needs to be done to lessen the burden on landfills.
There are different ways to go about this, but often technology companies have some of the best ideas. They tend to create items that can be repurposed into newer models without the need for more materials.
Where Cleanway Comes In
As a major waste management company in Australia, Cleanway plays a vital role in ensuring that waste management practices continue to be environmentally friendly, sustainable, and effective.
We often work with businesses and individuals who are interested in improving their own waste management systems. Many of our principles stem from the type of beliefs that this blog explores.