What is circlular economy in the water sector?
What was once started as lofty ambitions by the European Commission, the ‘Circular Economy’ has become a common phrase in the environmental vocabulary.
Although dismissed by critics as a buzzword, or buzz phrase, a Circular Economy model is being adopted by companies and corporations at the highest level.
Even Swedish furniture giant Ikea recently announced a furniture rental, upcycling and recycling scheme for businesses, all under the guise of being circular.
But what does a Circular Economy actually mean?
By definition, in a truly circular economy the value of products and materials are maintained for as long as possible. Think the opposite to a throwaway culture or society. Waste and resource use are minimised and when a product reaches the end of its life, it is reused to create further value.
It was in December 2015 when the European Commission put forward a package to support the EU’s transition to a circular economy.
Three years later and with Circular Economy efforts now underway, it raises the question of what is the next generation, a Circular Economy 2.0?
According to Professor Mark van Loosdrecht from the Delft University of Technology, it means full resource recovery to help cover the cost of water treatment plants in regions where infrastructure is difficult to finance.
Below you can watch our interview on the side-lines of the AIWW Summit in Rotterdam to find out more:
