We will start by noting that not necessarily, but to talk about the points of encounter and disagreement between the circular economy and recycling, we must first understand what the circular economy is
What is the Circular Economy?
The circular economy is a system for the use of resources; an economic model based on the principle of extend the lifespan of materials as much as possible and resources, and thus reduce the extraction of natural resources.
Although the term was coined in the 80s, the most recent movement was driven by Ellen MacArthur, a former sailor who, on a solo trip for 70 days sailing, seeing the limitations in terms of food, fuel and more resources she had brought with her, understood that her context was a representation at scale of how the world's economic and production systems worked: they were finite.
The circular economy proposes that continuing with the extractive logic of natural resources is unsustainable over time, as well as with the consumption-waste dynamic, and therefore seeks to go to the root of production to think of solutions that act on three axes:
- Eliminate waste and contamination.
- Circular products and materials (in their value plus high).
- Regenerate nature.
The Butterfly Diagram:
To illustrate how this economy should work, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation created the Butterfly Diagram, a scheme where biological cycles and technical cycles exist. Each one fulfils a specific order and purpose to make the most of the resources that already exist, and to progressively stop using natural resources as raw materials.
Recycling and the circular economy:
What is proposed here is a circular and interrelated model (how everything works in nature) where there is a step by step so that each product can continue to be used. Throughout these steps, ideas are proposed on how they can be reduced, reused, repaired and at the last link in the chain is recycling.
“Recycling starts at the end: the stage of “getting rid” of a product's lifecycle. The circular economy, however, goes back to the beginning to prevent waste and pollution from being generated in the first place. Faced with our current environmental challenges, recycling will not be enough to overcome the large amount of waste we produce.”
— Ellen MacArthur Foundation
According to this perspective, recycling is the last option and an attempt is made to avoid it at all costs, because the most desirable thing is to prevent the resource from being discarded. However, in our Latin American countries and contexts, the reality is that when recycling is in the hands of grassroots recyclers, it does comply with the principles of the circular economy.
Recycling with basic recyclers does play a role in the circular economy:
We call the recycling that links all the actors in society (citizens, waste pickers, companies, governments, etc.) inclusive recycling. Taking into account that there are entire families that are dedicated to this, at ReciVeci we advocate that these people support one of the links of the circular economy... even if it is the last.
We know that the ideal is to avoid the existence of waste and to gradually migrate to models where there is no longer waste but where there is a returnability of resources... but it is also true that this is not our reality yet.
Until we have a transition to other productive and economic models, basic recyclers will continue to have a place within this circular economy chain, and at ReciVeci we will continue working to ensure that every day more material is recovered, reused and returned to production chains, at the same time that we have a positive and direct impact on the lives of thousands of basic recyclers.
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