Is the Circular Economy stalled on Semantics?
Drowning in Jargon? The word “recycle” is a relatively new word originating out of the Industrial Age. Recently it has different interest groups battling over its definition. “What is included?” “What is not included?” Our current view of the “ triangle hierarchy” of recycling has the problem of assigning a social value from desirable (reduce) to less desirable (recycle). Instead of being integrated and efficient, the putting of social value and desirability on certain principles of sustainability has created competition and conflict which is unproductive in achieving landfill diversion goals. The “Circular Economy” is undergoing a similar transition. To understand how it works, it is helpful to view it in a three dimensional model. It is time to see the Circular Economy as the efficient, multifaceted, interdependent complex system that it is. It works best when all parts are mobilized and recognized for their contribution. The “Circular Economy” is so much more, it has been mired and slowed in the mud of jargon and semantics. By recognizing it as a multi dimensional model, the acknowledgment of each component will make it more efficient.
The Circular Economy is a basic resource recovery and preservation model that has been implemented since millenia. Early civilizations of hunters/gatherers used this model. It is not new. It is a practical model of resource recovery. Survival was dependent on extracting/preserving value when resources were scarce. Once resources become plentiful the model breaks down, waste increases as it is based on a perception of value. The 3D Circular Economy is shaped like a funnel of recyclable waste. It is multidimensional and the hierarchical value is deemphasized.
This basic resource recovery model works as a “spinning funnel”. This is a theoretical framework not a physical model. It fills with post consumer recyclables waste which are collected and enter the funnel at the top. Government policy, Extended Producer Responsibility programs, Business initiatives, advocacy groups and individuals are the groups who make it spin. Within the funnel are “exit” points where industry, businesses and consumers can remove “resources” from the waste stream. Items with the highest value are removed first, near the top and items with very little value are removed last. With this model there is some waste going to the landfill. Closed loop recycling would occur at the top where items go in and out quickly. Value is based on scarcity/abundance and is a social construct (not necessarily monetary). The speed of the rotation is dependent on how many groups are working together to make it “move”. The more it moves the faster the items can reach the exit points and be removed. This model requires policies to make it spin, recyclables diverted from the waste stream to fill it, users to remove items from the exit points (market demand), infrastructure within the funnel (sorter/graders, transportation) to make sure “product” is available at exit points. It is a dynamic system.
This is a post consumer recyclable waste stream model, so “reduce”, “rethink” occur on the outside and work to reduce the amount entering the funnel. “Rethink” can be new technology in the manufacturing sector, taking waste out of the primary stream and redirecting it into the recyclable waste funnel. Tech can also add new “exit” points for material to leave the funnel.
With little help from policy makers and lack of EPR programs ,the funnel moves very slowly. Barriers to access the exit points (market demand), or even no exit points. Product needs to be available at the exit points (infrastructure). When there are problems turning or minimal infrastructure inside, the funnel fills up and slows. Social policy determines how fast it spins and how wide the end of the funnel is, as well as number of exit holes. The Funnel works across the board and is not industry specific. Efficiency is multi factored and complex with many moving parts, all integrated and interdependent.
The word “recycle” is currently undergoing a semantic challenge, it is a conceptual one. Competing political, corporate and social interests are all engaged. Jargon is blinding and distracting and has slowed the search for sustainable answers. What is the definition of “recycle”? It depends on how you see the world. We are undergoing a paradigm shift, to either reinvent our approach to waste or to fail and be left with the “status quo”. To improve our landfill diversion rates, consensus is needed on the concept of “Recycling” and “Circular Economy”.
One definition of Recycle is to “reprocess for future use”. There are many variations and interpretations of this definition. Semantics put a social framework on meaning, as word definition changes over time. At the most basic level Recycling is resource recovery and resource recovery is about Reuse. Recycling is Reuse. Another interesting word is “resource”, it originated in the early 1600’s from the latin “resurgere” and old french “resourdre” meaning “to rise again”. The word “resource” or “re-source” is an early word representing the goals of the Circular Economy. Word etymology and semantics are a fascinating subject and today’s world is undergoing tremendous challenges and change in semantics, but we’ll leave that for another day.
Written by Sari Stenerson
Reuz Recycling Solutions
April 17/23
Drowning in Jargon? The word “recycle” is a relatively new word originating out of the Industrial Age. Recently it has different interest groups battling over its definition. “What is included?” “What is not included?” Our current view of the “ triangle hierarchy” of recycling has the problem of assigning a social value from desirable (reduce) to less desirable (recycle). Instead of being integrated and efficient, the putting of social value and desirability on certain principles of sustainability has created competition and conflict which is unproductive in achieving landfill diversion goals. The “Circular Economy” is undergoing a similar transition. To understand how it works, it is helpful to view it in a three dimensional model. It is time to see the Circular Economy as the efficient, multifaceted, interdependent complex system that it is. It works best when all parts are mobilized and recognized for their contribution. The “Circular Economy” is so much more, it has been mired and slowed in the mud of jargon and semantics. By recognizing it as a multi dimensional model, the acknowledgment of each component will make it more efficient.
The Circular Economy is a basic resource recovery and preservation model that has been implemented since millenia. Early civilizations of hunters/gatherers used this model. It is not new. It is a practical model of resource recovery. Survival was dependent on extracting/preserving value when resources were scarce. Once resources become plentiful the model breaks down, waste increases as it is based on a perception of value. The 3D Circular Economy is shaped like a funnel of recyclable waste. It is multidimensional and the hierarchical value is deemphasized.
This basic resource recovery model works as a “spinning funnel”. This is a theoretical framework not a physical model. It fills with post consumer recyclables waste which are collected and enter the funnel at the top. Government policy, Extended Producer Responsibility programs, Business initiatives, advocacy groups and individuals are the groups who make it spin. Within the funnel are “exit” points where industry, businesses and consumers can remove “resources” from the waste stream. Items with the highest value are removed first, near the top and items with very little value are removed last. With this model there is some waste going to the landfill. Closed loop recycling would occur at the top where items go in and out quickly. Value is based on scarcity/abundance and is a social construct (not necessarily monetary). The speed of the rotation is dependent on how many groups are working together to make it “move”. The more it moves the faster the items can reach the exit points and be removed. This model requires policies to make it spin, recyclables diverted from the waste stream to fill it, users to remove items from the exit points (market demand), infrastructure within the funnel (sorter/graders, transportation) to make sure “product” is available at exit points. It is a dynamic system.
This is a post consumer recyclable waste stream model, so “reduce”, “rethink” occur on the outside and work to reduce the amount entering the funnel. “Rethink” can be new technology in the manufacturing sector, taking waste out of the primary stream and redirecting it into the recyclable waste funnel. Tech can also add new “exit” points for material to leave the funnel.
With little help from policy makers and lack of EPR programs ,the funnel moves very slowly. Barriers to access the exit points (market demand), or even no exit points. Product needs to be available at the exit points (infrastructure). When there are problems turning or minimal infrastructure inside, the funnel fills up and slows. Social policy determines how fast it spins and how wide the end of the funnel is, as well as number of exit holes. The Funnel works across the board and is not industry specific. Efficiency is multi factored and complex with many moving parts, all integrated and interdependent.
The word “recycle” is currently undergoing a semantic challenge, it is a conceptual one. Competing political, corporate and social interests are all engaged. Jargon is blinding and distracting and has slowed the search for sustainable answers. What is the definition of “recycle”? It depends on how you see the world. We are undergoing a paradigm shift, to either reinvent our approach to waste or to fail and be left with the “status quo”. To improve our landfill diversion rates, consensus is needed on the concept of “Recycling” and “Circular Economy”.
One definition of Recycle is to “reprocess for future use”. There are many variations and interpretations of this definition. Semantics put a social framework on meaning, as word definition changes over time. At the most basic level Recycling is resource recovery and resource recovery is about Reuse. Recycling is Reuse. Another interesting word is “resource”, it originated in the early 1600’s from the latin “resurgere” and old french “resourdre” meaning “to rise again”. The word “resource” or “re-source” is an early word representing the goals of the Circular Economy. Word etymology and semantics are a fascinating subject and today’s world is undergoing tremendous challenges and change in semantics, but we’ll leave that for another day.
Written by Sari Stenerson
Reuz Recycling Solutions
April 17/23