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Source: ESPN
Circular Economy
Saleh Akram :
Not many people in this country are familiar and conversant with circular economy. For most countries and peoples in the developing world, including ours, concept of circular economy is virtually unknown. Most manufacturers and production facilities have been pursuing a linear economy based on ‘take, make, dispose’ method of manufacturing. A product while being manufactured in a linear economy as that of ours leaves behind a huge amount of undesired and sometimes dangerous wastes. It also puts under pressure the country’s plummeting resources and new raw materials are to be found and utilized for sustained production. In contrast a circular economy emphasizes on using resources for as long as possible and thereafter recovering and recycling the same resources so that they can be used again. This is particularly essential for a socio-economic set up as that of ours. Whereas we produce a huge waste, our raw material sources are inadequate and limited. Also there is no improved and modern system of waste disposal and stock piling of industrial and household wastes continues. In this way a linear economy perennially damages the environment, while a circular economy reduces waste and the pressure on the country’s limited resources.
In a technology-based society linear economy has lost its dependability and effectiveness for businesses, people and the environment alike. A circular economy not only aims to keep products, equipment and infrastructure in use for longer periods and improves the productivity of resources by preventing waste and reusing them. If new raw materials are needed, many of those can be obtained by recycling the wastes so that the natural and human environment is not damaged. This regenerative approach differentiates circular from linear economy.
We use raw materials to make a product, and throw away any waste after use. But in a developed economy similar wastes are recycled and reused. For example, waste glass is used to make new glass and waste paper is used to make new paper. In short, the circular economy promotes the use of as many biodegradable materials as possible in manufacturing products so that they can get back to nature without causing damages to the environment.
In linear economy where the economic aspect prevails over the social or environmental ones, a circular economy is a better choice for both people and businesses. It has been proved that as a result of regeneration of resources, production costs are reduced, and therefore sale prices are lower. The consumers are benefited more not only economically, but also socially and environmentally. This brings about a conceptual change in our notions towards growth and economic development.
In Bangladesh reuse of waste materials is hardly considered a priority. Industrial and domestic wastes are left open. No scientific system of waste collection and transportation is in operation not to speak of a technically sound system of recycling the wastes. Lack of regulations/standard and inadequate financial support are some of the other reasons. A country which generates about 8000 tons of solid wastes each day should need to focus on the concepts and practices of circular economy.
In collaboration with international donor agencies and the Local Government Division, both city corporations of Dhaka took initiatives to process solid waste using modern methods. These include urban public and environmental health development projects, community-based waste management activities, development of sanitary landfill, medical waste recycling plant and waste-based power plant. Two waste-based power station projects initiated by DNCC and DSCC never took off due to paucity of fund. According to insiders, Tk.210 million project, financed by Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund under the Department of Environment, also failed to achieve its goal due to lack of awareness and poor waste management system. Undertaken in 2012, the project focus was rightly the 3R method – reduce, reuse, recycle.
The entire world is being damaged by mounting stockpiling of wastes and garbage. Millions of tons of both industrial and domestic wastes and effluents are generated across the globe by men and machines. Safe and secure disposal of these mounting heaps of refuses in an eco-friendly environment is becoming an increasingly daunting task. Bangladesh is not better placed in this respect. In the new millennium we must be better equipped to meet the growing challenges of mounting wastes. We must prioritize minimizing wastes and reusing them. If new raw materials are needed, efforts should be made to obtain them by recycling the waste as far as possible so that the natural and human environment is unharmed.
The world population is growing and its impact on the environment increasing. To ensure enough food, water and prosperity in the coming years, we need to switch from a linear to a circular economy. That is why the Bangladesh government has also undertaken a country-wide programme to implement policies and practices of a Circular Economy. The objective of the programme is to prevent the environment from being damaged and ensure healthy and safe living and working conditions for all.
(Saleh Akram, a TV personality and can be reached through: saleh.akram26@gmail.com)
Not many people in this country are familiar and conversant with circular economy. For most countries and peoples in the developing world, including ours, concept of circular economy is virtually unknown. Most manufacturers and production facilities have been pursuing a linear economy based on ‘take, make, dispose’ method of manufacturing. A product while being manufactured in a linear economy as that of ours leaves behind a huge amount of undesired and sometimes dangerous wastes. It also puts under pressure the country’s plummeting resources and new raw materials are to be found and utilized for sustained production. In contrast a circular economy emphasizes on using resources for as long as possible and thereafter recovering and recycling the same resources so that they can be used again. This is particularly essential for a socio-economic set up as that of ours. Whereas we produce a huge waste, our raw material sources are inadequate and limited. Also there is no improved and modern system of waste disposal and stock piling of industrial and household wastes continues. In this way a linear economy perennially damages the environment, while a circular economy reduces waste and the pressure on the country’s limited resources.
In a technology-based society linear economy has lost its dependability and effectiveness for businesses, people and the environment alike. A circular economy not only aims to keep products, equipment and infrastructure in use for longer periods and improves the productivity of resources by preventing waste and reusing them. If new raw materials are needed, many of those can be obtained by recycling the wastes so that the natural and human environment is not damaged. This regenerative approach differentiates circular from linear economy.
We use raw materials to make a product, and throw away any waste after use. But in a developed economy similar wastes are recycled and reused. For example, waste glass is used to make new glass and waste paper is used to make new paper. In short, the circular economy promotes the use of as many biodegradable materials as possible in manufacturing products so that they can get back to nature without causing damages to the environment.
In linear economy where the economic aspect prevails over the social or environmental ones, a circular economy is a better choice for both people and businesses. It has been proved that as a result of regeneration of resources, production costs are reduced, and therefore sale prices are lower. The consumers are benefited more not only economically, but also socially and environmentally. This brings about a conceptual change in our notions towards growth and economic development.
In Bangladesh reuse of waste materials is hardly considered a priority. Industrial and domestic wastes are left open. No scientific system of waste collection and transportation is in operation not to speak of a technically sound system of recycling the wastes. Lack of regulations/standard and inadequate financial support are some of the other reasons. A country which generates about 8000 tons of solid wastes each day should need to focus on the concepts and practices of circular economy.
In collaboration with international donor agencies and the Local Government Division, both city corporations of Dhaka took initiatives to process solid waste using modern methods. These include urban public and environmental health development projects, community-based waste management activities, development of sanitary landfill, medical waste recycling plant and waste-based power plant. Two waste-based power station projects initiated by DNCC and DSCC never took off due to paucity of fund. According to insiders, Tk.210 million project, financed by Bangladesh Climate Change Trust Fund under the Department of Environment, also failed to achieve its goal due to lack of awareness and poor waste management system. Undertaken in 2012, the project focus was rightly the 3R method – reduce, reuse, recycle.
The entire world is being damaged by mounting stockpiling of wastes and garbage. Millions of tons of both industrial and domestic wastes and effluents are generated across the globe by men and machines. Safe and secure disposal of these mounting heaps of refuses in an eco-friendly environment is becoming an increasingly daunting task. Bangladesh is not better placed in this respect. In the new millennium we must be better equipped to meet the growing challenges of mounting wastes. We must prioritize minimizing wastes and reusing them. If new raw materials are needed, efforts should be made to obtain them by recycling the waste as far as possible so that the natural and human environment is unharmed.
The world population is growing and its impact on the environment increasing. To ensure enough food, water and prosperity in the coming years, we need to switch from a linear to a circular economy. That is why the Bangladesh government has also undertaken a country-wide programme to implement policies and practices of a Circular Economy. The objective of the programme is to prevent the environment from being damaged and ensure healthy and safe living and working conditions for all.
(Saleh Akram, a TV personality and can be reached through: saleh.akram26@gmail.com)
