Isonomia

by Ad Lansink

Over recent years, the Chinese government became increasingly aware that solid waste being imported into China for recycling also contained large amounts of dirty and hazardous wastes. To ensure the health of its citizens and protect China against serious environmental pollution, in 2013 it launched ‘Operation Green Fence’, which stepped up container inspections with the aim of stopping shipments of illegal and low quality waste. This was followed in 2017 with operation ‘National Sword’, which specifically targeted imports of WEEE and industrial waste.

Read more on China crisis: what import restrictions mean for Europe…

by Ad Lansink

Creating a circular economy, around which materials and products flow smoothly throughout their lifecycles, will require innovations in the field of logistics. There are two aspects to this: firstly, we will need adequate supply chain management – but this is also true of linear economies. Secondly, and more pertinently, we will need a strong system of reverse logistics.

Read more on Shifting ideas: logistics and the circular economy…

by Ad Lansink

The path from a linear to a circular economy will not be an easy one. There are many barriers which may hinder or delay the transition process, and many policy choices to make – each of which represents a branch along this path.

Read more on The long and branching road to the circular economy…

by Ad Lansink

Zero waste, Cradle to Cradle design and the Circular Economy are all great concepts, presenting attractive targets to work towards. However, their ultimate feasibility is another matter. As we use and recycle products, won’t there always be some loss of material?

Read more on Resource plumbing: plugging the leaks in the circular economy…

by Ad Lansink

The proposals of the EU circular economy package (CEP) reveal that the waste hierarchy will retain a central place in the transition to a circular economy. The European Commission (EC) writes:

Read more on Major third: a circular economy needs a new transition…

by Ad Lansink

While the production and distribution of consumer goods takes place within a global market, EU member states nevertheless play a major role in defining waste and resource management. Therefore, developing integral, realistic policy remains an essential task, especially for the European Commission and the European Parliament.

Read more on Incongruent triangles: do we need a new resource hierarchy?…

by Ad Lansink

For a society accustomed to the achievements of a linear economy, the transition to a circular system is a hard task even to contemplate. Although the changes needed may seem daunting, it is important to remember that we have already come a long way. However, the history of the waste hierarchy has taught that political perseverance and unity of approach are essential to achieving long term visions in supply chain management.

Read more on Transitioning to a circular economy…