CORONADO, Raniella Bianca Y.

4ChEB

Towards Global Circular Economy: Rewriting the Rules for Industrial Transportation and Its Relevance
to Designing Out Wastes by Anthony Halog, Ph.D.

Dr. Halog discussed about circular economy and its advantages over linear economy which is the
system followed by most of the companies all over the world. Circular economy is designed to be
regenerative and restorative like how nature thrives where wastes of one organism is used or consumed
by another. Hence, leads to the minimal reliance to new or virgin raw materials for production unlike
linear economy which follows the take-make-dispose pattern. Raw materials are taken to create products
that will benefit consumers, but will end up as wastes after it has lost its value or its functionality.

Circular Economys main goal is to maintain materials and their components at their highest
utility and value (World Economic Forum, 2014). According to Dr. Halog, there are six principles in an
ideal circular economy (ICE): all materials are recycled indefinitely; all energy is from renewable or
otherwise sustainable sources; the integrity of the biosphere and its natural capital are supported and
strengthened through human activities; human culture and social integrity are supported and
strengthened through human activities; human health and happiness are supported and strengthened
through human activities; and resources are used to generate value. Out of this six principles, the most
remarkable overall objective according to him is the imperative to create an economy that will efficiently
manage and recycle material flows and base its operations on renewable energy. This goal is beneficial
not only ecologically but financially as well. In 2010, about 65 billion tonnes of raw materials were used in
the economic system and it is predicted to rise to 85 billion tonnes in 2020. With circular economy, this
can be minimized since one of the prospects of this system is for companies to use the by-products which
are considered wastes by other companies.

There are now some companies implementing this type of system like Speedo which makes
swimwear out of scraps from textile factories, Ford which makes engine components from old floor mats,
H&M which collects old clothes and recycle them, and battery manufactures which make new batteries
out of old ones. If all companies adapt the system of circular economy, many of problems we are bound
to face in the near future like diminishing supplies and resources could be minimized, if not completely
resolved.