What is a circular economy?
The term “circular economy” has become an extremely popular concept throughout the last few years by our millennial generation. Nowadays, it’s not as simple as “take, make and dispose”. A circular economy is a reformative system where we try to minimize our resources. Focusing mainly on the reuse and reduce aspect of the 3 R’s and ensuring these two are fully manipulated before choosing to recycle. This process will aim to eliminate waste, not just from recycling procedures, but throughout the lifecycles of products and packaging.
Canada is working on new and exciting strategies to create a waste-free environment. Some provinces have already begun to implement the procedures in creating a circular economy like Ontario.
Individuals should focus on minimizing the use of raw materials, maximizing the useful life of materials and lastly, minimizing waste produced at the end of life products and packaging.
Why build a circular economy?
In order for Canada to grow, it is important that we move towards a circular economy. By improving our resource recovery we will lessen greenhouse gas emissions and ensure potentially dangerous materials are appropriately managed.
Benefits of a circular economy:
- Increases competitiveness
- It will encourage businesses to stay put
- Creates a more sustainable way of living and a cleaner environment
- Boosts economic growth
- Creates jobs
- Stimulates innovation
The Electronic Recycling Association is contributing to the growth of a circular economy by reducing unnecessary electronic waste throughout Canada over the last 14 years. They are one of the first leaders in addressing the growing problem of e-waste and the increasing ‘digital divide’.
Their mission is to reduce electronic waste and the negative impact it has on our environment and to reuse unwanted computers and related electronic equipment through recovery, refurbishment, and computer donation programs.
Their vision is to foster a better community by reducing electronic waste and enabling the non-profit sector to achieve excellence by providing for their IT needs through computer donation and computer recycling.
For more information about the ERA, please visit their website www.era.ca