Circular Economies – Purdue University

Circular Economies – Purdue University

ByThe Circular Economy Team

Traditionally, goods produced by our industrial system have a linear lifecycle. As a result, both industrial activities and society rely on the continuous extraction of finite natural resources with substantial amounts of waste discarded to landfills and incinerators. Concerns over this unsustainable linear production and consumption model have led to the development of the “circular economy” concept, which seeks to close the loop on material and product flows, this increasing the efficiency of resource use and reducing waste generation. The circular economy concept aims to decouple economic growth from resource depletion and environmental degradation to achieve balance among environment, society, and economy. Transitioning to a circular economy requires fundamental changes in product design, process technologies, business models, government policy, and consumer behavior.

Recycling Li-Ion Batteries Through Bioleaching

Recycling Li-Ion Batteries Through Bioleaching

ByThe Circular Economy Team

There are more than 1.4 billion cars in the world today, and that number could double by 2036. If all those cars burn petroleum, the climate consequences will be dire. Electric cars emit fewer air pollutants and if they’re powered by renewable energy, driving one wouldn’t add to the greenhouse gases warming Earth’s atmosphere. But producing so many electric vehicles (EVs) in a decade would cause a surge in demand for metals like lithium, cobalt, nickel and manganese. These metals are essential for making EV batteries, but they’re not found everywhere. Most of the world’s lithium lies under the Atacama Desert in South America, where mining threatens local people and ecosystems. Leading manufacturers of EVs need to keep import costs low and find a reliable source of these raw materials. Mining the deep sea is one option, but it could also damage habitats and endanger wildlife. At the same time, waste electronics filled with precious metals are piling up in landfills and in some of the world’s poorest regions – with 2.5 million tonnes added to the total each year.

Mercedes me Charge recharging ecosystem debuts in the Mercedes EQS luxury EV

Mercedes me Charge recharging ecosystem debuts in the Mercedes EQS luxury EV

ByThe Circular Economy Team

Mercedes-Benz has formed a strategic partnership with ChargePoint to streamline the charging process for its upcoming EQS luxury EV. As a result, Mercedes me Charge is now the official charging ecosystem of the latest EQS and other future electric mobility products from the German premium automaker. Mercedes me Charge comes loaded with exciting innovations to take the guesswork off finding a charging station and selecting a payment method across all major charging networks in North America. The system integrates seamlessly with MBUX and the Mercedes Me app to plan your trip, locate charging stations, and initiate payment for all charging sessions on ChargePoint’s public network of 60,000 stations nationwide.

Researchers say Thwaites Glacier may be more stable than expected

Researchers say Thwaites Glacier may be more stable than expected

ByThe Circular Economy Team

Thwaites Glacier is one of the largest ice sheets globally, and in the past, researchers said that it was in imminent danger of a sudden collapse. However, it turns out those researchers may not have been correct. According to a new study from researchers at the University of Michigan, the glacier may be more stable and in less danger of sudden collapse than previously predicted.

Fed-up young workers fear they need offices to save their careers | Bloomberg News

Fed-up young workers fear they need offices to save their careers | Bloomberg News

ByThe Circular Economy Team

Managers hoping to lure employees into offices may find their youngest and newest staff are their strongest allies. Young white-collar staff feel caught between a rock and a hard place—they value quality of life over old-fashioned 9-5 commuting, but are even more worried about seeing their careers stall unless they head back into an office. That’s encouraging many to be among the first to return to their desks. Workers enter the Goldman Sachs offices in London. The Wall Street bank is pushing ahead with plans to bring staff back.
While experienced employees often have established professional networks and dedicated home offices, younger staff say the pandemic has left them under-informed and cut off from their teams. There are now growing concerns that they are missing out on career opportunities older colleagues took for granted.