Have you heard about circular economy? A sustainable approach to managing and reducing waste, circular economy is a well-thought and renewed model of production and consumption. Let’s explain circular economy and sustainability in brief. The enhanced model of production and consumption focuses on redesigning products using raw materials that are recyclable and reusable. It emphasises maximising the refurbishing and recycling of products to retain the value of products and resources longer in the closed loop. Moreover, circular economy prioritises the optimum conservation of natural resources that are renewable and constantly depleting with time, owing to the mindless mining of raw materials.

Simply put, a circular economy model is driven by three important principles. These principles include:

• A decline in waste and pollution
• Circulation of products and materials in the loop in their highest value
• Regenerate and leave greater room for nature to thrive.

If you are slightly aware of the current economy, you definitely realise that we follow a take-make-dispose approach. So, what does that imply? Manufacturers today, source materials from the Earth, use these materials to manufacture products and once used, dispose of the end-of-life products as waste. In a circular economy, though, it is important to eliminate waste first. The strategic system highlights the importance of reusing products to reduce waste and rethink new ways to dispose of waste without harming the environment.

It is no secret that the mounting volumes of waste generated are detrimental to the environment. It aggravates pollution and global crises such as climate change and loss of biodiversity. Besides, products, be they electronics, plastic, glass, or anything, are abundant in valuable materials that are easy to reprocess and re-utilised as secondary materials for new products. Unfortunately, stacking post-consumer products in landfills is a loss of resources. Hence, circular economy sustainability focuses on transforming the linear model of the economy into a resourceful and prosperous system where waste is eliminated, resources are circulated, and nature is regenerated.

In order to strengthen the establishment of circular economy, Extended Producer Responsibility was introduced. Wondering what EPR is all about? Well, EPR refers to regulations that compel producers, importers, and brand owners to undertake the environmental and financial responsibilities of products, including end-of-life products. As per the regulations, manufacturers must focus on reworking their designs and using recyclable materials to prolong the life cycle of products in the loop. Also, manufacturers and business owners are obligated to collect, segregate, treat, and dispose of post-consumer products in a guided and environmentally-friendly approach. Environmentalists and PROs like Karo Sambhav are working towards establishing and increasing awareness around circular economy and sustainability. The organisation helps businesses comply with the EPR rules established by the Government of India.