How to Implement Circular Economy in Waste Management

Okay, here's the deal: The waste pecking order says we should dodge trash like it's hot lava. Sounds easy? Not so much. We need to churn out some stuff to keep the economic wheels spinning. The magic starts when we take those very things we made and loop them back into the cycle. Yep, we're talking about recycling and reusing as if our planet's life depends on it—because guess what? It does!

Hold on a sec. Who's on duty for this recycle-rama? Hint: it's not just you and me. Sure, we play a part, but let's get real. As of 2014, our homes made up a teeny-tiny slice, like, 8.3%—of the EU's total waste pie. Who's gobbling up the rest? Big companies and policymakers. Yep, they're the ringmasters of this circus.

Enter EPR—Extended Producer Responsibility. Think of it as a backstage pass for businesses, but with chores. If you make stuff, you've got to manage its entire life cycle, from cradle to, well, recycling bin. The EU's pretty jazzed about this and wants to see businesses step up their waste game, like yesterday.

What’s the first dance move in our ‘Circle of Sustainability’ dance-off? Nixing landfills! Instead, let’s focus on reusing and recycling, or hey, even turning waste into energy when it’s past its prime. And listen, while you’re busy morphing into a green superhero, you can team up with eco-savvy systems like TONTOTON, who're all about smart and kind-hearted waste management.

So there you have it, the cycle of life—or should I say, the circle of sustainability. Ready to join the ride? 🌍💚

How does circular economy relate to smart waste management?

Ah, waste management! You might think it's all about dumping stuff in a landfill and forgetting about it, but oh boy, are you in for a surprise. Welcome to the era of "smart" waste management. It’s like your smartphone but for trash; techie and green, all in one!

So, what’s the low-down? Imagine a loop—yep, a big ol' loop—that keeps stuff in the economy instead of shoving it underground or, worse, into our oceans. You chuck out less, you recycle more, and bam! You're part of a circular economy where trash gets a second act. It's the circle of life, but for your leftover spaghetti and old sneakers.

But don’t just think of this as Trash 2.0; think of it as Trash 2.0 with brains. For ages, the waste biz was like your old DVD player: does the job but not exactly cutting-edge. Fast-forward to today, and boom! Smart waste management is the new cool kid on the block. Thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT for the savvy among you), we're talking about bins that yell "I'm full!" and trucks that know when to make the pick-up.

With IoT's smarts, we're learning a ton about how we toss stuff away. It's like having a trash diary that spills all our dirty secrets, helping the waste collectors make like Sherlock and crack the case of the overflowing bins. From robots sorting your plastics to analytics that tell us our weekly trash trends, it’s all getting very 007.

So, why should you care? Simple. Smarter waste management isn’t just about cutting costs and streamlining services. It's your ticket to greener cities and—get this—a happier planet. Let's dump the old ways and turn trash into a treasure of data and second chances. Ready to smarten up your waste game? 🗑️🌱

The Planet High-Fives Circular Waste Management 🌿

So, you ever wonder what the Earth would say if it could talk? Maybe something like, "Hey, quit burying my face in trash!" Enter the hero of our story: Circular waste management. What's it do? Cuts down on digging up new stuff from Mother Earth. Less drilling, less greenhouse gasses, more high-fives from the planet.

Picture this: A business that takes its old waste and spins it into something useful again. No more heaps of trash spoiling the view or poisoning our rivers. We're talking cleaner air, clearer waters, and forests that don't look like they just hosted a rock concert.

Your Wallet Likes It Circular Too 💰

Money talks, right? Well, it’s saying, "Quit buying new stuff when you can use the old!" Businesses get to save big bucks by fishing out the treasures from their trash. Fewer orders for raw stuff, smaller bills—what’s not to like?

And guess what? It gets the creative juices flowing, too. No joke! Companies are inventing new ways to manage waste and are even creating jobs in the process. That's like hitting two birds with one... er, recycled stone. And here's the kicker: it's a team sport! Different industries can join forces in the circular economy, sort of like Avengers but for waste management.

Good Vibes for Everyone 🤝

But hold on, there's more! This circle of life for garbage is good for you and me. We're talking better health and happiness. A cleaner world equals less sneezing and more breathing easy.

Plus, imagine walking down a street and not seeing a plastic bag floating by like a wayward ghost. It gives us all a nudge to think before we toss, and maybe—just maybe—helps us choose to repair, reuse, or recycle instead. It's like a life lesson in a loop: Be kind to the Earth, and the Earth will be kind back.

Source-image: worldbank.org

What is the assignment that the World Bank received for Croatia?

In a bid to transition towards a circular economy (CE) in waste management, Croatia partnered with the World Bank on a two-year Technical Assistance (TA) program called CERCLE. The initiative aimed to integrate CE principles into the National Waste Management Plan (NWMP) for 2023-2028, focusing primarily on the management of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, a sector heightened by devastating earthquakes in 2020. The collaboration resulted in the first sectoral Action Plan (2023-2027) for the C&D waste sector, adopting CE principles.

Despite being an EU member, Croatia has lagged in adopting CE strategies—only 5.7% of its economy was circular in 2021, compared to the EU average of 11.7%. About 58% of Croatia’s municipal waste went to landfills in 2021, indicating a strong reliance on landfilling. The EU directives require Croatia to reduce landfilling to 10% and boost recycling to 65% by 2035.

The World Bank’s role included conducting analytical reviews, identifying priority sectors for action, and providing technical assistance. A Circular Economy Action Plan for Construction Waste Management was developed to guide the country in reducing waste and recovering economic value from it. The plan also called for strengthening the market for secondary raw materials, enhancing data collection, and curbing illegal dumping.

Key stakeholders from various sectors were engaged in the process and about 500 were reached through capacity-building and knowledge-exchange activities. A CE Committee was formed to offer sectoral guidance and foster stakeholder engagement. Furthermore, a public outreach campaign titled #NoTimeToWaste was launched to raise CE awareness among the general public.

While significant strides have been made, there is a need for a stronger regulatory framework, economic incentives like landfill taxes, and increased stakeholder engagement to align with the vision for sustainable waste management based on CE principles. The project results have been instrumental in revising Croatia’s waste management policies and setting the country on a path toward meeting EU waste prevention and recycling targets.

Source-Image: iced.org

How TONTOTON promotes circularity within Vietnam and Cambodia?

The multifaceted problem of plastic waste, particularly focusing on Southeast Asia and more specifically on Cambodia’s coastal city of Sihanoukville. The use of plastic has grown so ubiquitous that it's now called the 'Age of Plastics,' and this extensive usage poses a significant threat to both the environment and the economy. Mismanagement of plastic waste is a major issue, causing pollution in marine and coastal ecosystems. In Cambodia, more than 10,000 tons of municipal waste are generated daily, with 20% being plastic and about half of it improperly managed.

Southeast Asian communities are disproportionately affected due to rapid socioeconomic development and ineffective waste management systems. In Cambodia, the "informal sector," or local scavengers, dominates waste management. These individuals are neither employed nor formally recognized by the government for their efforts in waste collection, thus often facing marginalization and exploitation.

“Community-based plastic credit solution – a holistic attempt to make coastlines plastic-free”

TONTOTON, a project aiming to address this issue, partners with the informal waste sector in Sihanoukville, one of the most polluted coastal areas. The project engages local waste collectors to create a market for all types of mismanaged plastics, not just recyclables like PET bottles. TONTOTON utilizes plastic credits and sets stable trading prices for collected plastics, helping to provide consistent income for the informal waste collectors.

The impact of the project is considerable. Every month, TONTOTON removes more than 300 tons of mismanaged ocean-bound plastic. It has also significantly improved the economic well-being of the waste collectors. Their monthly salaries increased by an average of 48.42%, allowing for savings and better financial stability.

To tackle the issue from its root, TONTOTON also runs an awareness campaign called Plastic Free Coastlines. Taught in the local language, the program educates communities and encourages responsible waste management practices, spreading knowledge across public schools and villages.

As a long-term solution, TONTOTON is building a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Sihanoukville. This facility will serve as a novel recycling line for all types of plastic. It will repurpose conventionally non-recyclable materials through heat pressing methods, creating construction items like roofing and affordable housing, thereby promoting a circular economy. Read the full report here.