By Mwape Moses Kachasa, MSc. CCAFS- Student, NUI- Galway.
The Circular Economy Action Agenda
The circular economy is a new and practical approach for sustainably managing the world’s economy and environment through the use of a well-designed system that prevents waste and pollution, maintain or keep products and materials in use and allows the natural systems to regenerate. The concept is being spearheaded by the Platform for Accelerating the Circular Economy (PACE) which was formed in 2018 by the World Economic Forum, World Resource Institute, Philips, United Nations Environment Programme, Ellen MacArthur Foundation and 40 other partners. PACE has since developed an Action Agenda through intense collaboration with more than 200 experts from over 100 public and private organizations. The Circular Economy Action Agenda was launched on 4th February, 2021 with a call to hasten the transition from a linear to a circular economy under which nature can be given chance to rejuvenate and people to have sustainable jobs. The elements of PACE are five namely plastics, textiles, electronics, food and capital equipment.
Application of the circular economy to different sectors of the economy, products and services:
The circular economy can be applied to different products and services of various sectors of the economy. The table below shows various circular economy processes and different sectors where they can be applied which include agriculture, forestry, mining, transport, chemical, textile, building, electronics, heavy equipment and many others;
Table 1: Application of circular economy processes in various sectors:
Source: Rizos et al, 2017, Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
Application of the circular economy principles to a product -Mushroom growing:
The three principles of the circular economy which are; designing out waste and pollution, keeping products and materials in use and the regeneration the natural systems can be applied to mushroom growing. Mushroom production is conducted inside a shelter implying that there is no clearing of land or cutting of trees where to grow it. In this way the natural systems are left to regenerate. The mushroom seed or spawn is planted on the substrate which is prepared using the crop residues, this addresses principle number one which aims at preventing waste and pollution as most often crop residues are simply burnt. After the mushrooms are out of production the substrates are composted and used as a source of rich plant nutrients in vegetable production and fish farming which is keeping the materials in use and answering to principle number two on recycling. Other materials that are kept in use or recycled during mushroom production are the bottles where the spawn is stored and the plastic sheets that are used to covers the walls inside the shelters.
Importance of applying circular economy to Mushroom growing for sustainability;
Application of circular economy to mushroom production can have several Environmental, Economic and Health benefits.
Environmental importance includes: Land is not cleared resulting in increased carbon sequestration and there also improved air quality due to zero burning of crop residues which are used as substrate for production of mushrooms. Additionally, there is less litter in the surroundings in form of glass bottles since these are used for growing the spawns thereby assisting in making the environment look neat and clean.
Economic benefits: There is lower operational costs as a result of using cheaper recycled substrate, plastic sheets and glass bottles. This helps producers to have positive net incomes to continue in business.
Health and Nutritional importance: Mushroom is highly nutritious playing the role of meat in the vegetable world. It is very rich in Selenium a mineral responsible for boosting immunity especially in the HIV positive patients. Mushroom also contains low calories, fat, fibre and vitamins. Improved air quality results in reduced respiratory diseases for example asthma.
Photo credit: producegrower.com
Conclusion
The linear economy has been the dominant economic model from the time of industrial revolution and it is wasteful both in terms of production and consumption patterns since it depends on indiscriminate extraction of natural resources, use and then throw them away as waste. Therefore, through recycling the circular economy can benefit the world by reducing pressure on the environment, improving supply of needed raw materials, create sustainable jobs and stimulate economic growth.