Take. Make. Waste. Much of the prosperity of the Industrial Revolution is attributed to inventions that enhanced the ability to extract natural resources from the environment and turn them into products at the largest possible scale. However, the pursuit of efficiency and profitability instilled a mindset that still dominates our modern society: the use of finite resources to make disposable products to maximize profit. This idea, known as the “linear economy”, was a stark contrast to the slower and laborious way of living back in th day, which repurposed everything from building materials, to textiles, and food, back into the life cycle. We have come to see first-hand the devastation caused by a linear economy. Luckily, we have some good news on this – the new circular bioeconomy!
Surrounded by tonnes and tonnes of waste in landfills, oceans and land, the uncomfortable reality is we cannot go on the same way. The good news is that there are solutions. Instead of considering waste as an inherent byproduct of industrial operations, the circular economy framework treats waste as a design flaw and favours options to make waste more valuable and/or curb its production.
The circular economy is based on three key principles:
- eliminate waste and pollution
- circulate products and materials (at their highest value)
- regenerate nature
By “decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources” (Ellen McArthur Foundation) the circular economy enables waste from one product or process to serve as a feedstock for another. Natural systems, such as the carbon and water cycles, demonstrate the kind circularity achievable in other industries. These processes show that circular economies aren’t just ideal—they’re the rule of nature, with our current linear economy being the unnatural exception.
Biomanufacturing (the topic of our blog post #2) thrives when circular economic principles are applied and then translate into sustainability throughout the entire lifecycle of bioproducts. Circularity encompasses several key principles:
- Design for Sustainability: Biomanufacturers should design products with the end in mind. This includes considering the environmental impact of materials, production processes, and disposal methods from the start. Waste streams can serve as raw materials for producing valuable substances.
- Resource Efficiency: Optimizing the use of feedstocks, energy, and water throughout production minimizes waste.
- Reuse and Recycling: Reusing and recycling bioproducts and their components extends their lifespan and reduces the need for new resources.
- Regenerative Practices: Practices like sustainable agriculture and responsible harvesting of biomaterials restore ecosystems.
Applying these principles allows us to restore our environment without sacrificing strong economic growth. By focusing on circular manufacturing processes and eliminating waste, industries can regenerate ecosystems while still thriving. Stay tuned for the next post, where we’ll explore how biomanufacturing embraces these principles and provides real-world solutions.
