World Environment Day: Scaling a circular economy

World Environment Day: Scaling a circular economy

Ake, use and dispose. Traditionally, this has been the standard approach to consumption and production. We always think of our next big purchase, but also forget our previous ones. Have you ever wondered where they go? What if every material could be used to make a new product?According to a recently published World Economic Forum report, the world produces over two billion tonnes of solid waste, and that’s expected to grow to 3.4 billion tonnes by2050 and about one-third of that waste is not managed properly. By volume, global waste includes 44 per cent food and organics, 17 per cent paper and 12 per cent plastic – all valuable commodities. With increasing awareness of the importance of waste, the circular economy has gained ground. Sustainable production and consumption practices are rapidly becoming a driving force. Essentially, it eliminates waste by applying three basic principles: reduce, reuse and recycle.In 2021, the UAE cabinet approved the UAE Circular Economy Policy – a comprehensive framework to ensure quality of life for current and future generations. This includes supporting the private sector in adopting clean methods that spur green development. By adopting these strategies, the UAE is looking forward to having both imported and