Water from single-use plastic bottles contains microplastic particles

Carbon is not the shiniest element, nor the most reactive, nor the rarest. But it is one of the most versatile. Carbon is the backbone of life on earth and the fossil fuels that have resulted from the demise of ancient life. Carbon is the essential ingredient for turning iron into steel, which underlies technologies from medieval swords to skyscrapers and submarines. And strong, lightweight carbon fibers are used in cars, planes and windmills. Even just carbon on its own is extraordinarily adaptable: It is the only ingredient in (among other things) diamonds, buckyballs and graphite (the stuff used to make pencil lead).

A circular economy, an economy without waste and no depletion of finite resources, gains traction in the sustainability debate as a way out of the current linear “take-make-waste” economy. Circular economy principles, ranging from ecodesign and recycling to new business models, such as products-as-a-service, can lower CO2-emissions and significantly contribute to combatting climate change. Furthermore, moving towards a more circular economy could deliver benefits such as improving the security of the supply of raw materials, increasing competitiveness, stimulating innovation, boosting economic growth and creating jobs.