What's the Difference Between Zero Waste & Circular Economy?
The circular economy and zero waste are closely related concepts that both aim to reduce waste and promote sustainability. While the circular economy focuses on designing products and systems with the goal of extending the life cycle of products, phasing out toxins, and conserving resources, zero waste emphasizes reducing the amount of waste produced in the first place and capturing as much usable materials normally headed to landfills and incinerators for beneficial reuse.
One key aspect of the circular economy is the idea of "closing the loop," which means ensuring that materials and resources are kept in use for as long as possible. This can be achieved through practices such as regenerative agriculture, companies investing in their own circular product design, and providing customers with takeback programs. The zero waste approach is a "cog" that helps turn the gears of the much larger circular economy. It focuses on reducing consumption, finding alternatives to single-use, disposable products, and incorporating operational efficiencies at all levels, among other diversion initiatives.
Both the circular economy and zero waste recognize that our current linear economy, in which resources are extracted, used, and then discarded, is not sustainable. The circular economy seeks to create a more equitable, holistic system by redesigning products upstream and discouraging "planned obsolescence" where zero waste mostly tackles the downstream system of managing materials through strategies, such as reducing consumption of goods, composting food and yard wastes, and recycling.
Both approaches recognize the need to reduce waste and conserve resources. But the circular economy wouldn't be as robust without zero waste systems feeding its loop. Working together, they can help create a more sustainable future for everyone.
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