Vital Waste Graphics 3

CLOSING THE LOOP PRODUCER AND CONSUMER RESPONSIBILITY

The ultimate aim is to close the loop of the economy, which means reducing as much as possible the economic system’s inputs and outputs into and out of the natural substratum. In other words, we need to change the equation linking the global variables to the growing waste heap: rising popula- tion should not directly imply an equal rise in consumption and waste production, or greater pol-

lution and resource depletion. The first step is to transform our approach to human industry into ‘integrated waste and resource man- agement.’ Durable goods, collabora- tive consumption (sharing goods), a functionality-based economy (buy- ing a function or service, rather than goods) 16 are some of the theoretical strategies of this general decoupling of economic growth from waste produc- tion. But this goal can only be achieved if in turn consumers and producers ac- cept their share of responsibility, or have the capacity to do so. Governments, in their capacity as major consumers and employers in most national mar- kets, must set an example in their own operations (through internal waste prevention measures, energy con- sumption, mobility policies). In view of the enormous volume of goods and services at stake, governments’ setting of minimum environmental standards for public spending (through effective and responsible green procurement

Educate rich consumers

Improve products DESIGN: Durability

Low toxic content Easy dismantling Low weight Low / No packaging

Promote alternative collaborative consumption

[ LESS IS MORE ]

INTEGRATED WASTE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Second-hand Refurbished Repaired

Improve production PROCESSES:

[ WASTE IS NOT WASTE ]

Recover energy and heat

RECOVER production residues as raw materials

Maximize RE-USE

Maximize RECYCLING

Safely dispose of 'waste waste'

policies) can act as a significant driv- ing force for the market. Such mas- sive flows can reduce the production costs of durable goods and services, and support specific actors or sectors of the economy which have integrated durability principles. States have both the capacity and the responsibility to preserve the common interest, which in this case means promoting a

sustainable economic system. Big pri- vate companies, with sizes and influ- ence over the economic system similar to States, share such responsibility, as expressed in their respective Corpo- rate Social Responsibility policies. Im- plemented by significant economic ac- tors, green or sustainable procurement strategies, public or private, have a se- rious impact on whole supply chains.

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