CIRCULAR ECONOMY

In a world where natural resources are finite and the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident, the circular economy emerges as a powerful solution to address the environmental and economic challenges we face. This innovative approach seeks to redefine the way we produce, consume and manage products and materials, with the aim of maximising their value and minimising waste. The circular economy is positioned as a key alternative to build a sustainable and resilient future.

One of the essential pillars of the circular economy is the Collective Extended Producer Responsibility System. This concept implies that producers are not only responsible for the manufacture of goods, but must also take responsibility for their management at the end of their useful life. In other words, manufacturers become responsible for the recovery and recycling of the products they put on the market, thus encouraging the closure of the life cycle of materials and preventing them from becoming polluting waste.

Incorporating the Collective Extended Producer Responsibility System into the circular economy promotes greater efficiency and sustainability throughout the value chain. Producers are incentivised to design products with materials that are easier to recycle or reuse, as this reduces their future waste management costs. At the same time, this strategy encourages innovation in design and manufacturing, with the aim of extending the useful life of products and reducing waste generation at source.

This collective approach also involves collaboration between different actors, such as manufacturers, distributors, retailers, governments and citizens. Together, they work to establish efficient collection, sorting and recycling systems to reintegrate recovered materials back into the production chain. The Collective Extended Producer Responsibility System not only contributes to reducing the amount of waste, but also boosts job creation in industries related to materials management and recovery.

The circular economy not only benefits the environment, but also presents a number of significant economic advantages. Resource efficiency is one of the cornerstones of this approach, meaning that companies can save costs by using materials and energy more intelligently. Incorporating the Collective Extended Producer Responsibility System into the circular economy boosts this efficiency, resulting in a more responsible use of natural resources and less dependence on scarce raw materials.

In addition, this approach generates new business opportunities. As awareness of sustainability and the circular economy increases, consumers become more likely to choose products from companies committed to the responsible management of their products at the end of their useful life. This drives demand for reusable or recyclable goods and creates a market for services related to recovery and recycling.

The role of governments is critical to the success of the circular economy and the Collective System of Extended Producer Responsibility. Through appropriate public policies and regulations, governments can establish legal frameworks that encourage companies to adopt circular practices and assume their extended responsibility. At the same time, it is necessary to promote education and awareness-raising in society about the importance of this approach, so that citizens also become actively involved in the shift towards a more sustainable economy.