We live in a world where Earth’s natural resources are often used once and are then simply discarded. Our current linear, take-make-waste system treats resources as unlimited and disposable, which fuels pollution and depletes our planet’s finite reserves. However, the latest Interconnected Disaster Risks report found that change is possible, and that we can change such systems for the better. These five steps can help us shift toward a circular, zero-waste future:
Understand that waste does not disappear
Every year, we produce 2 billion tonnes of household trash, much of which is dumped in landfills or burned, polluting the environment. So, while it might be out of our sight, the waste is not gone but has merely shifted in place. Out of sight should not mean out of mind. Instead, we could rethink waste by recognizing its worth and seeing it as a valuable resource. Composting, for example, transforms organic scraps back into nutrient-rich soil, helping regenerate a resource that naturally takes centuries to form.
Close the loop with circular systems
A linear production system means that many products are disposed of, even though they are still valuable. For example, many electronics, such as phones, use a mineral called lithium in their rechargeable batteries. Lithium is a limited resource, with current reserves estimated to be depleted by around 2050. Simultaneously, it is projected that over 75 per cent of lithium mined by 2050 will end up in the garbage. In contrast to the linear system, circular models keep materials in use. By reclaiming and recycling resources like lithium, we can reduce both waste and the need to extract new resources.
Design for longevity, not disposability
Products are often designed to be disposed of, increasing waste and pollution. For example, single-use plastics like straws and plastic bags are made to be used once and thrown away. In fact, over 75 per cent of the plastic produced in 2019 was wasted, much of which ends up as litter, polluting the environment. This is a prime example of the linear system in action, where resources that could be used longer are thrown away instead. If we move away from thinking of things as “single-use” and design durable and high-quality products, we can extend their lifespan and reduce waste.
Learn from communities already leading the way
The town of Kamikatsu, Japan, has implemented several zero-waste strategies, proving what is possible and what can be achieved. With an 80 per cent recycling rate, residents sort waste into 45 categories and rely on reuse, repair and composting, as well as other innovations, such as a clothing exchange or a brewery using agricultural leftovers. Kamikatsu is a great example of change that is already happening, and can inspire other communities to rethink waste as well.
Shift values and systems
In addition to policy and innovations that facilitate a circular future, transitioning to such a future requires changing our mindset. We must move from seeing resources as disposable to seeing them as shared, finite and precious, because valuing and caring for what we have is the first step toward using it wisely. A world without waste begins with a society that treasures, rather than tosses.
