A traditional linear economy is based on a process of “take, make and dispose” were we take natural resources from the environment then make them into products to sell to consumers who then dispose of them.
To change this cycle which contributes to the ongoing climate crisis we need to rethink how we consume in Scotland. A circular economy considers the following:
By using existing resources for as long as possible this can reduce the demand for raw materials and maximise the value that is extracted from the existing materials by designing for durability, reuse, remanufacturing and recycling.
Designing out, waste and pollution in the things we are using to reduce the impact of economic activity that are causing damage to human health and environments.
The Scottish Government strategy plan 2020 stated a: ‘circular economy represents an enormous economic and industrial opportunity for Scotland...it tackles emissions through influencing product design, manufacturing and waste and resource management’.
They also produced one of the first circular economy strategies, “Making Things Last”, in 2016.
Thier long-term goals for the country looks at creating a 75% reduction in emissions by 2030, and reaching net-zero emissions by 2045, five years before the rest of the UK. This date was reached through advice from the government’s independent expert advisors, the UK Committee on Climate Change (CCC).
Chris Stark, chief executive of the CCC , said "That is an enormously challenging target for Scotland, and it rests ultimately on Scotland doing more and earlier than the rest of the UK on cutting emissions," Although the principles are simple, a successful circular economy model will require new technological, social and system changes. Educating and developing change in its population where it is used to living in a non-circular system is critical to this process.
The United Nations has also looked at this and developed their Sustainable Development Goals, (SDG) which is a 17 goals blueprint to achieve a more sustainable and better future on an international level. Goal 12 in particular focuses on Responsible Consumption and Production. Government, companies, and individuals will all need to focus on how we Reduce, Recycle and Reuse Scotland's resources in collaboration to make a Circular Economy a reality.
POSTER RESOURCES //
To find out more about this topic please visit the following websites which were used to create this poster: