Circular Economies and Sustainability: Are Circular Economies the Future of Sustainability?

Written by Cole Berry

“Often when you think you're at the end of something, you're at the beginning of something else.” –Fred Rogers

In envisioning a world with zero waste, the circular economic model is a game-changer. It is a proven path to a healthier planet and sustainability. But what is a Circular Economy? 

According to MIT,  “A circular economy is the reuse of waste. Instead of throwing products and materials away, the circular economic model finds ways to recycle them. This approach doesn’t need to begin at the point of waste. Incorporating a circular economic model in a product’s design and the planning process can create less impact on the environment.”

While reusing waste to create new products seems like a great solution, businesses will only use it if they can make money. The problem is that businesses and consumers have traditionally operated on a linear economic model. When we buy a new laptop, we typically place our old laptop in a closet somewhere to collect dust. Or we throw it away. Throwing it away is an example of a linear economic model. But if we can find a way to reuse that laptop, that is an example of a circular economic model.

But how can companies reuse waste and make money? 

Here in Phoenix, there is a groundbreaking Circular Plastics Microfactory run by ASU with funding from the state of Arizona and private donors. Using plastic donated by Goodwill of Arizona, the ASU Circular Plastics collected 116,066 pounds of plastic and processed 4.5 plus tons of it to produce new products. Most recently, they used recycled plastic to mold shin guards, which the ASU women’s soccer team is beta testing. 

Beyond reusing waste and addressing plastic pollution, the circular plastics microfactory reduces greenhouse gas emissions, conserves resources, strengthens local recycling systems, and boosts local economic development by providing jobs for waste pickers and microfactory workers. 

A circular economy could be the pathway to a zero-waste future, but only if it is adopted by more businesses and governments.