What is It?
What is a circular economy? Well, in simple terms a circular economy is an eco-friendly solution to combat climate change through having every facet of waste be recycled in a form of the economy, hence the name circular economy. There are countries around the world that have made strides in implementing circular economies such as Chile and the Netherlands.
Chile’s Push For a Circular Economy.
Chilean policy makers have designed a roadmap for their plan for a circular economy for all ventures such as allowing private companies, civil organizations, and political or common groups to further their ideology. In Chile the culture of their circular economic plan revolves around innovation, culture, and territories. By 2040, Chilean supporters aim to create 180,000 new green jobs, decrease municipal waste by 25%, increase reusable material by 60%, and increase recycled waste by 75%. They also want to recover land affected by illegal dumpsites by 90%.
The Dutch Circular Economy.
In the Netherlands a similar approach was made in the Dutch economy in 2016. The Dutch government is pacing itself little by little implementing different programs and agreements each year with annual updates as opposed to the roadmap idea in Chile. In 2018, the Dutch circular economic plan focuses on plastics, consumer goods, manufacturing, construction, and biomass/food. By 2050 the Netherlands wants to be a completely and utterly waste-free economy.
In terms of opposition, countries across the world (excluding the US), have their circular economy movement or ideology in party politics. The Tories of Great Britain, however, have been called out on the weakness of their will for such a policy. Their policy includes tax and employment incentives. By 2040, if companies follow rules set in place to reduce plastic waste, the policy allows for tax incentives. In comparison to the Netherlands and Chile, these policies that the Tories of Great Britain support are very weak for a circular economy.
My Opinion on a Circular Economy
In my opinion, a circular economy is too much of a “pie in the sky” idea. While I applaud the efforts of Dutch and Chilean governments to make peace with the environment, I feel a circular economy is extremely limiting. I do not deny that climate change is one of the most dire and extreme situations mankind has to deal with, however, from a capitalist point of view a market should be determined by popular opinion. Many companies are moving towards green ideals, such as Ford making their two most famous vehicles, the Mustang and the Bronco, electric cars. I also fear, putting my opinion in a historical context, that a circular may have prohibition type reactions. A ban on certain products that consumers and society alike use and love become hot illegal commodities causing new headaches for law enforcement and governments alike.
Discussion Question:
What do you think of a circular economy? Do you think anything like a circular economy could form in the United States? If so why?
Works Cited:
N/A. “Chile’s Circular Economy Roadmap: Collaboration for a Shared Action Plan.” Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2021. https://ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/circular-examples/chiles-circular-economy-roadmap.
Government of The Netherlands, and N/A, Circular Dutch economy by 2050 §. Accessed November 29, 2022. https://www.government.nl/topics/circular-economy/circular-dutch-economy-by-2050#:~:text=The%20Netherlands%20aims%20to%20have,and%20raw%20materials%20are%20reused.
Calzolari, Tommaso. “Circular Economy and the UK General Election.” Retrace (blog), December 9, 2019. https://www.retrace-itn.eu/2019/12/09/circular-economy-and-the-uk-general-election/.
1 Comment
Ali S · January 5, 2023 at 7:42 pm
What do you think of a circular economy? Do you think anything like a circular economy could form in the United States? If so why?
I think a circular economy is the ideal we should all reach for. The idea behind it is that no society should overuse resources and therefore deny other societies of their own basic needs. If every nation had a circular economy global inequality and poverty would be nearly solved. Of course, I agree something this big isn’t possible to implement everywhere, but I do believe some cities in the United States will begin to implement this type of system as well. Not completely, as that’s not possible in the current American society, but I can easily see cities like New York (which already has relatively progressive policies in place) infusing circular economics into their laws. In a time when resources are used and distributed unfairly and unequally, this may be the easiest answer to a not so easy problem. The alternative is either a partial incorporation of the ideas of circular economics, or a perpetuation of the current system of injustice. However, if the latter is the option the world chooses, I highly doubt those who continue to be on the short end of the stick will keep on taking it quietly. For this reason, I don’t think the question should be whether or not circular economics will work in America, but how to make elements of it work no matter the difficulties.
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