Romina Dávila: The importance of fostering the circular economy in a world of change and opportunities
In the quest for sustainable and environmentally responsible practices, the adoption of the circular economy is a valuable strategy for companies seeking to integrate sustainable measures for the benefit of consumers and the environment. With this economic model, sustainability is no longer a buzzword but a determining factor for long-term success.
In the last decade, the circular economy has stood out as a global solution that transforms the production and consumption model for the benefit of the environment, preserving the value of materials through separation, reuse, repair and recycling.
The objective is to create an environment that prioritizes the preservation of natural resources by following the four fundamental principles of the circular economy: eco-design, eliminating waste and pollution, keeping materials in use and regenerating natural systems.
To ensure that the transition to a circular economy is successful, the starting point of this model begins with the implementation of an eco-design of the product, ensuring that in all its phases the environmental impact is minimized: creation, development and transportation.
To achieve the reduction of waste that ends up in landfills, eco-design considers: taking into account the entire life cycle of the product, using fewer raw materials for its manufacture and using materials that are reusable and/or recyclable.
Benefits of implementing this production and consumption model
One of the key benefits of the circular economy is job creation. As we move towards a more sustainable future, the demand for workers in green industries such as waste management, renewable energy, sustainable transportation and ecotourism will increase. According to data from the International Labor Organization (ILO), it is estimated that this transition could generate up to 24 million new jobs worldwide by 2030.
Implementing the circular economy model is more than a question of sustainability; it is an urgent necessity to combat climate change. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF), applying circular economy principles in the industrial and agricultural sectors could reduce more than 9 billion tons of greenhouse gases (GHG) by 2050. The environmental benefits are clear, but governments, businesses and society as a whole need to commit to making this vision a reality.
Challenges and opportunities
Like any transformation, achieving beneficial outcomes in the circular economy involves rethinking our strategies to change the way we relate to products and materials. Challenges include redesigning industrial processes, changing consumption habits and the need for effective policies and regulations.
In the face of current ecological challenges and resource scarcity, the circular economy is an essential solution for sustainable development that requires the participation of all. Today, consumers are increasingly basing their purchasing decisions on the sustainability of products, and companies must adapt to these demands by investing in technology and infrastructure, from material innovation to the development of more efficient recycling and reuse facilities.
Consumer education and awareness
To achieve a profound change in mentality, society must have information to achieve correct actions. Misinformation and lack of dissemination is the main limitation to move towards the circular economy and give way to a model full of direct benefits, both to citizens and to our environment; consumers contribute if they have bases and valuable information.
But what can consumers do to integrate into the circular economy model? The answer is: be a sustainable consumer, which implies:
- Know and understand concepts such as circular economy, sustainability, recycling, among others.
- To have access to information on products and companies that generate less environmental impact.
- Think about the life cycle of products at the time of purchase, from their origin, to their use, to the way in which they will be disposed of.
- Consuming responsibly and being aware of the materials we are acquiring.
- Use the power of the 4R's: reduce, reuse, recover and recycle.
Today, the relevance of the circular economy for sustainable development is undeniable.
It is in this context that Vida Circular emerges as an initiative dedicated not only to promote and inform about this production system, but also to encourage responsible environmental practices with the need to explore new forms of collaboration, establish structures, management models and attract people willing to get involved in these processes in such a way that they learn about consumption habits and attitudes that allow them to take action against environmental problems.
Collectively, we have the responsibility to educate and transform habits, converting the products we see today as waste into valuable raw material and, of course, seeking a balance between economic benefit, environmental care, as well as solutions that address global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, waste and pollution.
About the author:
For more than 16 years, Romina Dávila has dedicated her professional career to promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility to encourage the circular economy.
Based on its extensive experience and interest in sustainable development, in January 2024 it joined Vida Circular, a platform that disseminates knowledge about the circular economy and provides tools that enable the transition to a more sustainable future.
Romina holds a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from Westhill University and a Master's degree in Environmental Policy, Law and Management from Universidad Anáhuac. She is currently Sustainability Manager for ALPLA Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean.
