Circular Economy
The Circularity Gap Report 2024 reveals that the global economy's circularity has declined to 7.2 percent, down from 9.1 percent in 2018. This means less than 8 percent of consumed materials like steel, plastic, and food come from recycled or reused sources. The report, published by Circle Economy with Deloitte, highlights the persistence of the linear take-make-dispose model amid rising sustainability discussions.
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The Forest Stewardship Council is developing a royalty system to pay forest owners each time their fibers are reused, aiming to promote a circular bioeconomy and reduce deforestation pressure. Loa Dalgaard Worm, leader of the FSC's Circularity Hub launched in 2023, discussed these initiatives in a recent podcast. The approach seeks to update the organization's 30-year-old certification standards for sustainable material flows.
Earth911 has substantially updated its guide on adopting a zero-waste lifestyle, highlighting practical steps to reduce trash amid growing global waste challenges. The article, originally published in 2016, stresses the shift from a linear to a circular economy to minimize environmental impact.
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In a recent episode of Earth911's 'Sustainability in Your Ear' podcast, TerraCycle founder Tom Szaky explores the principles and challenges of building a circular economy. Szaky, who started the company as a college student, discusses innovative recycling strategies that turn waste into valuable resources. The conversation highlights TerraCycle's global impact and the need for systemic changes in waste management.