Renewable – the goal for all resources

When people talk about using renewable resources it is usually in reference to solar or wind power, or materials such as wood, bamboo or hemp. And these references are entirely accurate, however, could we be limiting the definition of renewables?

As we expand more in our thinking about the circular economy, it soon becomes clear that these shouldn’t be the only resources we think of as being renewable. If a circular economy is our aim then every element of production, packaging and even distribution should be asking the question: How can we reuse or transform that into another resource?

While the circular economy is a simple concept, implementation can get complex. If everything is to come full circle and be fully integrated into the system to be recycled and reused, then a great deal of consideration needs to go into the starting point. When creating and designing products, there’s not just the functionality and market value or end use to consider. For every element from the core materials through to the packaging, producers should be asking – is that really necessary?

The question of packaging

There has been a lot of media publicity on the topic of food packaging, with particular reference to fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables. The majority of supermarkets sell fruit packaged in plastic, which if you think about it, is entirely unnecessary. Supermarkets claim it’s to keep produce fresh and that it’s what customers want. But with an increasing awareness of the massive plastic waste problem globally, supermarkets may find that the majority of customers will be very happy to see all the plastic packaging disappear from the shelves.   

Packaging shouldn’t only relate to food items. Think of the latest electronic appliance or device you bought. How much packaging did it come in? The actual appliance was probably in a plastic packet, which was wedged into a box by a polystyrene cutout. That’s three sets of packaging for a single product. Is all of it really necessary?

If the answer to that question is yes, then manufacturers need to be thinking in terms of alternate packaging products to plastic and polystyrene. Packaging supports for appliances can just as easily be moulded out of recycled paper which can then either be converted back into a pulp to be re-moulded or can be composted. And if plastic or polystyrene has to be used can it be produced from recycled plastic or is it a composition that can be recycled again after use?

Thinking beyond products

The circular economy requires that every aspect of manufacturing and distribution is taken into consideration, especially relating to what is currently considered as waste materials or by-products. Could the heat from machinery that escapes as steam be utilized for heating for the offices?  Could the CO2 be used as fuel elsewhere in the production process? Is there oil used in production that could be converted into biofuel for the trucks who make up the distribution fleet? 

Innovators are constantly experimenting with different possibilities, testing, trialing and finding ways to reduce resource requirements and reutilise what is already in circulation. Whatever the motivation, whether it’s from an environmental perspective or that of commercial efficiency, it just makes business sense. Producing waste is a waste of money. The thinking needs to be around reusing resources, making them all renewable.  

I would love to see a world where there is no waste, not because it doesn’t exist, but because it is no longer viewed as something to be discarded. Rather, it is viewed as a valuable resource to be reused again and again. It is this type of thinking that is going to make a major impact on economies and the environment. It is this type of thinking that is going to give one business a competitive edge over another. Where resources are at the core of every conversation and it’s at the heart of innovation.

If this type of thinking resonates with you, and you see yourself as one of those people driving change in industry, you’re the type pf person our clients are looking for. There are many opportunities currently available in all sectors of resource management and renewables. Give us a call today. We’d love to hear from you. Tel: 01252 353 080 or email admin@wasterecruit.com.