Abstract
Humankind wastes resources in a way that is unsustainable over time, which makes it necessary and desirable to implement waste recycling policies that benefit all of humanity. The arrival of the circular economy is strengthening the environmental awareness of the population as well as more efficient use of scarce resources on the planet. In addition to the circular economy, this chapter briefly analyzes the different models that currently exist to combat the deterioration of the environment, since it is the responsibility of current generations to leave a better world for future generations.
TopA New Paradigm?
The circular economy is understood as “an economic system that represents a change of paradigm in the way that human society is interrelated with nature and aims to prevent the depletion of resources, close energy and materials loops, and facilitate sustainable development through its implementation at the micro(enterprises and consumers), meso (economic agents integrated in symbiosis) and macro (city, regions, and governments) levels. Attaining this circular model requires cyclical and regenerative environmental innovations in the way society legislates, produces, and consumes” (Prieto‐Sandoval et al., 2018, p. 610). For the impact to be effective, it must be integral, with the union of the macro, meso, and micro aspects of the circularity. This triple union is driven by technology and by the social awareness of the need to recycle, which must be done since childhood.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Circular Economy: It is an economic system aimed at eliminating waste and the continual use of resources. Based on a close-loop eco-friendly system, the circular economy aims at eliminating all waste (zero waste) and the continual use of economic resources by reusing, sharing, and recycling used products.
Frugal Innovation: Also known as frugal engineering, it consists of a group of functional solutions by minimizing the use of resources.
Industrial Symbiosis: A business situation formed by creating joint value between companies, managing aspects, such as trust and transparency among potential partners in the industry, belonging to an industrial association, cluster or related organization, and/or sharing infrastructure or services with industrial neighbors.
Four-Helix Entrepreneurial Eco-Friendly Models: Formed by the combination of eco-friendly firms, Public Administrations with social and ecological consciousness, environmentally aware HEI (Higher Education Institutions), and eco-friendly NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations), these models focus on achieving higher standards of living and nature preservation.
Cradle to Cradle: It is a design concept inspired by nature formed by a biological cycle, for products to consumption, and a technical cycle, for products for services.
Biological Cycle: As part of a cradle to cradle (C2C) model, in this cycle, materials return to the biosphere in the form of compost or other nutrients, from which new materials emerge.
Blue Economy: It consists of the sustainable use of ocean and sea resources for economic growth, improves the quality of living, creates socioeconomic wealth while preserving the health of oceans and seas of the planet.
Technical Cycle: It is defined by eco-friendly materials reprocessed to be used in new products.