2024-08-22 09:30:03
The circular economy, whose advent is programmed in particular via the AGEC law, is a solution to limit waste production, and a response to the problem of the scarcity of resources.
This economic model, which is set to replace the current linear model in the coming years, involves a disruption of practices, particularly industrial ones. Because it is by modifying industrial production methods, across the entire life cycle of products, that we can truly “circularize” our economy.
Let’s take things in order. The circular economy at work in our societies since the beginning of the industrial era is broken down into four stages: extraction of raw materials, production, consumption, and finally end of life, which consists of throwing away unused products. Then, we buy a new product. The principle of circularity works in reverse, and bases its virtues on the recycling, repair and reconditioning of products, in the most closed loop possible. To achieve this, the work to be done must take place across the entire product value chain, and not just on what happens in the factory. Indeed, The production phase of a product represents, on average, only 5 to 10% of its overall environmental impact.
There are many levers for action to reduce – or even eliminate – the environmental impact over the entire life cycle of a product. First of all, it is essential to rethink everything related to product design. This work upstream of production involves eco-design, i.e. integrating the notion of repairability, reuse and recyclability into product design. Sustainability too, by banning planned obsolescence, practice which had its justification in the pastbut which is inherently incompatible with the circular economy.
Then, resources. The need to optimize their use, to limit the accumulation of waste and the loss of material throughout the production chain, will result in limiting the extraction of these resources, at a time when many of them are becoming scarce. In an ideal circular economy model, the material enters a closed loop, and the extraction of new material is then only linked to the increase in consumption, and to the fact that Some materials cannot be 100% recycled, such as plastic for example..
Reuse and repair must also be considered in terms of waste management. Upcycling consists of implementing efficient collection and recycling systems, with the aim of transforming waste into a resource.
In absolute terms, non-recyclable waste must then be used as a source of energy.
On the periphery of the production chain, economic models must also evolve. The shift to a functional economy, illustrated by the possibility of renting instead of buying, and sharing resources between users, is a necessary step in the development of the circular economy in certain consumer sectors.
Finally, and this is the whole point of the creation of REP sectors – Extended Producer Responsibility -, it is necessary for all stakeholders to be involved at their level in the advent of the circular economy. Companies must review their production strategies, but this only makes sense if consumers integrate the notions of sustainability, reuse and recycling into their purchasing habits in their consumption behavior. This change in consumer behavior will not happen so easily. Education and training are the pillars of this transformation. Without forgetting, of course, the role of States in “incentivizing” people to play the circular economy game, via regulations and standards, tax incentives, but also performance measurement and monitoring. And ultimately coercive measures, for both producers and consumers.
As we can see, the circular economy will supplant the linear economy at the cost of a global transformation of practices, and the systematization of these developments, without concessions.
1724325237
#long #road #circular #economy
