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Recycling plastics: The AreYouR project
The importance of consumers in the circular economy
Did you know we all play an important role in the circular economy? In this article, we explain to you how!
The circular economy, explained in very simple words, is an economy that regenerates itself bringing benefits to the peo- ple and the environment, reducing waste, and limiting the use of other resources. We have seen how important and positive it is on many aspects of life, and how Italy in particular plays a role of primary importance.
We all, as consumers buy different types of goods and as a consequence, we become waste producers. This is why the idea of separate the waste for recycling was born, so the differ- ent materials were destined to specific journeys to being final- ly transformed into objects, semi-finished products, secondary raw materials, with multiple industrial purposes. This is the precise concept of closing the circular economy: the idea that what is implemented is a closed or "regenerative" cycle of materials, which extends the end of life and represents its added value, the contrary of the linear economy model, in which the introduction into the market of new products and materials is continuous.
Because of this production model, virgin plastics have been suffering a downward price crisis for some years now.
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However, the very high availability of regenerated materials clashes with market distortions and the lack of knowledge and awareness on the subject. We can see a very clear example in some districts that still require garbage bags made of virgin plastic! An unbelievable phenomenon if we think of the many different possibilities that recycled materials offers.
This fact serves as evidence to prove there is still a very long way to go to achieve and implement a circular economy sys- tem. In this complex but decisive mechanism for sustainability and to achieve an indispensable change, as a consumer we can actually play a fundamental role in changing the decisions of the current market. This is why share more accurate and clear information about recycling in order to lead to a deeper awareness becomes necessary.
In social spheres, a real “reuse-wave” has already begun, in Northern Europe especially. A phenomenon we hope will posi- tively involve more aspects of society at an international level. Because with our daily behaviors, like our buying habits and the choices we make every day we can really make a differ- ence.