‘Transition from Linear Economy to Circular Economy for a Sustainable Future’
The pandemic, climate change and the rapid depletion of world resources show that the current economic system is not sustainable. The ecological limits of our planet are being exceeded, and it seems that the current economic system is insufficient to meet the needs. Today, it is estimated that we consume 1.6 times more of our world's resources. For this reason, using resources in a more sustainable and efficient way has become mandatory today. In this context, the circular economy model stands out as an alternative solution.
The circular economy model is an economic model that aims to use and recycle resources efficiently and effectively in the production, consumption and waste stages. This model aims to create a sustainable economy by preserving the value of resources, reducing waste and pollution, combating the climate crisis and increasing social welfare. The circular economy model is an economy model that adapts to the functioning of natural systems and is compatible with nature, unlike the traditional production model.
While more than 100 billion tons of resources are included in the economy every year, a large part of these resources become waste and cause greenhouse gas emissions. For example, the use of plastic pollutes our seas and oceans and threatens the life of marine creatures due to the insufficient recycling of plastic products. This situation causes serious problems both environmentally and socially.
The circular economy model offers an effective solution to these problems. In this economic model, resources are kept in the cycle without losing value in the design, production, consumption and waste stages, thus ensuring efficient use of resources, preventing waste and pollution, combating the climate crisis and increasing social welfare.
What is Circular Economy?
Circular economy is an economic model that preserves the value of resources, reduces waste and pollution, combats the climate crisis and increases social welfare, unlike the linear economy model. The circular economy offers a sustainable solution to global problems while ensuring that resources remain in the loop and are reused in the design, production, consumption and waste stages.
The Place of Circular Economy in Sustainable Development Goals
The circular economy provides many benefits both environmentally and economically. Circular economy aims to create a sustainable world and a sustainable economy by using resources efficiently and effectively, reducing waste and pollution, combating the climate crisis and increasing social welfare. The circular economy aims to align economic growth and development with ecological limits by changing the way we produce and consume products and resources; By reducing its ecological footprint, it contributes to the protection of natural resources and leaving them to future generations.
Differences Between Circular and Linear Economy
Linear economy is an economic model that turns natural resources into products and leaves them as waste after use. This model creates an economy where resources are not used efficiently, waste and pollution increase, the climate crisis is triggered and social welfare decreases. The linear economy model is an economy model that does not adapt to the functioning of natural systems and conflicts with nature.
Circular economy is an economic model that prevents waste and makes products reusable by designing products and industrial processes to keep resources and materials in the loop. This model aims to create a sustainable economy by preserving the value of resources, reducing waste and pollution, combating the climate crisis and increasing social welfare. The circular economy model stands out as an economy model that adapts to the functioning of natural systems and is compatible with nature.
Benefits of Circular Economy
- It emphasizes recycling and sustainability instead of the "Take-Make-Dispose" approach of the linear economy model. In the circular economy, there is a system in which all raw materials are completely recycled. Therefore, the need for unprocessed raw materials is eliminated and energy savings are achieved.
- Economic growth is supported by saving energy and raw materials.
- In the circular economy, labor is more valuable than raw materials. Labor requirements for the development and production of circular products increase. This increases employment.
- Circular economy helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale because it reduces the use of raw materials.
How to Implement Circular Economy?
- Products and industrial processes that offer long-term use can be designed with a circular economy.
- Resource use is optimized with developing technology.
- Maintenance and repair are necessary to increase the lifespan of products. Retrieval strategies can be created so that products can be put back into use.
- There is a trend towards clean and renewable resources.
- Economic growth can be achieved with business models that embrace sustainability.