Advancing Sustainability: Beyond Zero Waste and Embracing Circular Economy Principles
This presentation explores the future of sustainability through the lens of material cycle science and the transition to a circular economy. Key topics include redefining waste, enhancing product and system design to minimize waste, and promoting innovative material usage. It discusses global trends necessitating this shift, such as resource constraints and changing demographics, and highlights flagship projects that illustrate best practices in high-volume recycling and material purity. Ultimately, it envisions a sound material-cycle society that prioritizes restorative practices and responsible consumption.
Advancing Sustainability: Beyond Zero Waste and Embracing Circular Economy Principles
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Presentation Transcript
Material Cycle Science Concept Nik Meriam Nik Sulaiman Sustainability Science Research Cluster Universiti Malaya 30 April 2014, Intercontinental Hotel, KL
Is waste a “dirty” word? 1 Start – Waste End – Waste Can we go beyond zero waste? 3 Material Cycle Science Concept Is this new? 2 Circular Economy Linear vs circular ?
Linear vs Circular Economy From linear to circular economy? • Restorative or regenerative by intention and design • Elimination of waste through the superior design of materials, products, systems, and business models Limits of linear consumption DISPOSE TAKE MAKE • In 2010, 65 billion tonnes raw materials enter the system • 82 billion tonnes in 2020 • Global trends driving transition to the circular economy: • Resource constraints • Increasing demand • Employment • A new type of consumer • Shift in socio-demographics • Enabling technology • Legislation Ref: World Economic Forum Report :Towards the Circular Economy: Jan 2014
Flagship projects for material sector well-established high volume recycled waste purity (PET, glass, and steel) high volume but lack systemic reuse (polymer) large volume by-products (CO₂ and food waste) innovative materials with breakthrough potential (bio-based materials) • ‘Golden oldies’: • ‘High potentials’: • ‘Rough diamonds’: • ‘Future blockbusters’:
“SoundMaterial-CycleSociety” A:Closed-loopsystemforwastemanagement FormulationoftheBasicPlanfor Establishing aSoundMaterial-Cycle Society Key Dates: 2003: 1st Basic Plan 2007: Review 2008: 2nd Basic Plan 2015: Indicators & target 2025 Long Term Concept of a Sound-Material Cycle Society Source: NWMS,Osaka,Honda
Beyond zero waste? • Our value system: Wasatiyyah Zuhud Istiqamah • Lifestyle choices: Patterns of consumption Thank you