When the greatest share of a product’s environmental impact comes from producing its feedstock, selecting the right material is critical. For 3D printing and manufacturing in plastic, biopolymer could be the first step toward a more sustainable model.
Source: www.additivemanufacturing.media
German supermarket retailer Aldi wants to make its packaging more environmentally friendly.
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Earlier this year, the UAE established a federal circular economy council to generate new economic opportunities, reduce the use of natural resources and protect the environment. In this piece, Nour Sleiman, co-founder and chief marketing officer at UAE-based Cartlow, a re-commerce website explains the impact and importance of the circular economy. Transitioning into a circular economy is not solely aimed at minimising the negative impact of a linear economy, but also on the overall health system of the economic activity. Shifting from a ‘take, make, use, dispose’ to a ‘make, use, return, re-use’ model would require the dedicated contribution of organisations, individuals, and businesses together – large and small – to work effectively at all scales. This model shift will generate new business and create economic opportunities while contributing positively to the environment as a whole.
As circular economy thinking takes hold among policy makers, civil servants and scientists, policy is tending towards circular as a strategy to reach environmental objectives. Hopes are that production systems will continue to deliver and indeed grow economically, but with far less material and fossil energy intensity. The Swedish Government formed its own Circular Economy Delegation last year and recently announced its national strategy for the Circular Economy and 100 measures to transition to circularity. Policy needs to align, but this raises questions. The economy is a complex adaptive system, and any intervention may cause the opposite of the intended effects. This article explores my own very personal reflections based on earlier work together with my recent work with the local university.
These days, we usually associate the word ‘sustainability’ with the environment, but colleges and universities also need to keep their technology sustainable.
Most companies aren’t nearly as green as everyone thinks they are. As the dreaded pandemic reminds us nature — not humans— is the real boss of this planet, companies worldwide are attempting to make strides in sustainability. Young product manufacturers and startups live and breathe green as part of their company DNA. Older and legacy companies typically have to revisit policies and processes to determine where adjustments can be made. Whether they are making the changes purely for the benefit of the environment, for the sake of compliance or in direct response to public outcry, any and all efforts are certainly welcome and much needed.