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The “circular economy” is mentioned a lot more often these days. That’s a good thing because it is a sustainable and innovative approach to tackling urgent environmental challenges, a tangible, practical and viable system to reduce waste. It urges individuals and companies to rethink their consumption and waste habits and design their products with an end-of-life use in mind that incorporates the materials used back into the value chain, thus promoting the responsible management of resources, whilst minimising pollution.
It is crucial that, as a society, we not only embrace the circular economy but also actively contribute to it, in doing so building a more resilient and sustainable future. Here, we explore how everyone can play a role in contributing to the circular economy, with the help of sustainable companies like Mpact Recycling, and the benefits this has for the environment and the South African economy.
First, let’s explain the opposite of a circular economy - a linear economy – which is fast becoming outdated because it is a wasteful model. In the 21st century, we are grappling with resource scarcity and global warming, in part, due to our linear economic approach. A linear economy works on a model of “take, make, dispose” – extract raw materials, turn them into products used by consumers, and at the end of their “life” they’re thrown away as trash. A linear economy has no regard for ecological consequences.
A circular economy, on the other hand, is an economic model that aims to:
The circular economy encourages a holistic view of materials, from their initial creation to their eventual recycling and transformation into new products. Adopting a circular economy approach minimises resource extraction, reduces carbon emissions, and lowers overall environmental impact. With the increased longevity of products, there is reduced waste generated, which results in cost-savings over time.
"Closing the loop" refers to completing the circular flow of materials, ensuring that products and their components are continuously reused, remanufactured or recycled. In other words, reducing your carbon footprint and decreasing the amount of trash going into our full-to-capacity landfills. Here's how you can close the loop and become a superhero:
As the largest paper and plastics packaging and recycling group in Southern Africa, Mpact plays a key role in closing the loop on the circular economy. Mpact, as a company, is committed to sustainability and, with responsible environmental management being a core value, Mpact bases all its operations and products on the principles of the circular economy:
Recycling offers significant social and environmental benefits, such as diverting recyclable packaging from landfill sites, creating income opportunities for collectors, reducing the demand for virgin materials and lowering greenhouse gas. Mpact’s circular business model can be summed up as follows: Mpact Recycling collects the paper and cardboard that is then recycled and made into new paper and containerboard (through Mpact’s Paper Mills), which is then manufactured into new cardboard boxes (through Mpact’s Paper Converters).
Through our Residential Estates Programme and Ronnie Recycler Schools Programme (which has been going since 1995), Mpact Recycling enables convenient, rewarding and easy participation in the circular economy. We do this by educating on what can and can’t be recycled and by providing an efficient collection service.
We also provide educational resources on our website and encourage responsible waste management practices within communities through our branches, while also actively supporting and consulting with suppliers and collectors to ensure as much waste gets recycled as possible, in as efficient and responsible manner as possible.
Through these ongoing initiatives, Mpact Recycling is empowering people across South Africa to be more active citizens, resulting in broader positive effects for our environment and economy:
In addition to Mpact Recycling’s on-the-ground, real-world programmes, there are also plenty of digital aides to help people live more lightly on this earth and contribute to the circular economy. From carbon footprint calculators to other mobile apps that gamify your efforts, give you helpful data, help you measure your contributions and give you useful tips on how to reduce water and electricity consumption.
The circular economy’s processes are not fixed in place. In other words, this system stretches much further than waste management and recycling. There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution; systems and processes will vary from country to country, depending on the existing infrastructure and legislation. Solutions for developed countries cannot necessarily be duplicated in developing countries, so the loops that are used to close in South Africa may look different to those of Europe or the UK.
It’s important for every person to actively participate in recycling and waste management and put pressure on the government and leaders to implement better processes and stricter laws that will enable a truly circular economy.
It’s no longer business as usual, and many people understand that we have to change our consumption habits. It’s encouraging then to see that the circular economy is becoming entrenched in the way more businesses operate, and for the average person, recycling is no longer considered just for the environmentalists. Indeed, it’s widely understood to be a “good” thing. Whether people realise it or not, by recycling, they are driving the circular economy.
If we can stay committed to circular economy principles and make it a collective effort between government, business, and every individual, we can all create a hopeful picture for the future.
Contact Mpact Recycling to get involved today.
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