REAL Extended Responsibility

The planet needs to regenerate at a much faster rate than it is today. The only way to achieve this is by embracing the 5Rs: Recycle, Reuse, Reduce, Reinvent, and Recommit. As I see it, applying these principles is key to building a circular economy.

Imagine a system where, when customers go to a store to purchase goods, they can also return used materials, packaging, electronics, and appliances. The store would then send these items back to the producer, who applies the 5Rs. This creates a seamless flow of materials, where nothing is wasted.

This approach is not only practical, but it also leverages the connection between businesses and producers. By using reverse logistics, stores can facilitate the return of materials and equipment, while customers benefit from discounts for their contributions. We don’t need to wait for regulatory mandates to enforce this system, we can incentivize the market, much like the 10-cent deposit on plastic bottles that encourages recycling. There's value in waste, and producers need these materials to create new products and reduce reliance on single-use plastics.

Last week, I visited Home Depot to buy fluorescent lights. ?Right at the entrance, I noticed recycling bins available for customers to drop off materials and goods. Similarly, Best Buy has a well-established program for recycling electronics, phones, computers, batteries, and more.

It's time to get serious. No one can recycle better than the manufacturer who originally assembled the product. They have the supply chain infrastructure to manage the process and ensure efficient recycling. The responsibility of recycling should not be limited to consumers—it should be shared by all entities in the supply chain.

If you are in the business of selling goods, you should also be engaged in the recycling process, not just profiting from sales. Businesses must work with customers and suppliers to build reverse logistics systems that help reduce the need for new materials. With billions of tons of waste sitting in landfills, polluting our oceans, and threatening our environment, the time to act is now.

Let’s Build a Better and More Sustainable Future

Luis Trevino Villarreal

Leader in Sustainability