GECO - Sustainability virtual italian fair
The European Green Deal, introduced in 2020, presents circular economy as one of the key concepts of a new sustainable development strategy for the EU. We have already addressed this complex concept, which is also one of the thematic areas of the next edition of GECO Expo, in several articles on this website, exploring its different applications. Today we want to look at it from a general perspective, in order to understand how it works, highlight its advantages, but also identify the obstacles that stand between the European Union and a sustainable economic system encompassing all areas of production.
Various historical sources report that in wartime and post-war Italy there was next to no urban waste. In a country plagued by poverty, every family had learned not to throw away anything, to make the most of everything they bought, using it multiple times, until there was nothing left. The scarcity of many basic food supplies meant that food waste was almost non-existent, and everyday objects and clothes were repaired several times when damaged. Some accounts of the time even show that street cleaners in most cities most could take several days to fill their carts and bins. The practice of reusing was already established in rural societies and it remained prevalent for many years even as the economy grew wealthier, especially before the advent of individual wrapping and packaging. This was an example of circular economy on an urban and domestic level. It is only in the last decade, however, that we have begun to use this definition and to systematise it as a concept, applying its principles to large-scale production, agriculture, industry and all human activities in general.
The recommendations contained in the new European Green Deal regarding circular economy outline a series of concrete actions and proposals to increase sustainability of production processes, to reduce waste, and to create a system that encourages recycling and reuse. The definition of the "right to repair" is particularly important in this sense. This right must be made accessible through laws that require manufacturers of electronic appliances to design and distribute products that are easily repaired by the user and also to make spare parts and repair instructions available. This is in stark contrast to the consumer electronics industry's cherished principle of planned obsolescence, whereby, for instance, a smartphone ceases to be truly efficient after a maximum of two years, and the user is strongly encouraged to buy a new device due to the impossibility of continuing to update the old one or repairing it if it breaks down.
The idea of maximising the value of products and the materials they are made of, keeping them around as long as possible and recycling them for other uses if necessary, has great political and social appeal. Yet reality tells us a different story: our economy is still largely based on waste and a few obstacles are yet to be overcome in order to attain sustainability within our economic system . On the one hand, we have to consider the complexity of production processes: to contribute to a circular economy system, companies would have to change their production and design techniques and this often implies costs and a general corporate restructuring, which not all companies can accomplish in a short time. We should also bear in mind that such a radical change requires the advice of recycling experts, who have specific and still relatively uncommon skills, who can advise on the best way to redesign each company’s production processes in order to maximise sustainability while maintaining economic viability and quality. Finally, we must consider market resistance: a large part of our economy is based on the rapid turnover of products, and structural change of this kind will inevitably be met with some diffidence by market stakeholders.
Are you interested in circular economy models and the technological innovations that can make it possible? Attend the next edition of GECO Expo!
Published on 02-02-2022
