Recycle and Reuse: The Circular Economy

Over the years, we have found that recycling is a common theme that everyone we talk to – young, old and in between – can relate to and support. From an early age, we teach our children to clean up after they make a mess. Unfortunately, this seems to be a lesson that as adults, we tend to forgot, at least as it relates to the big picture. Not only is it important to look at how we manage our waste in our own homes, we need be conscious of the fact that many critical resources we use are finite and getting scarcer.

Our friends at Rutgers University’s Online Master of Public Administration, have developed a powerful and easily understandable infographic, that helps us see the critical role of a “circular economy” and how we can put these sustainable practices into place. Rutgers compares some of the reuse and recycling practices we employ in the United States along side those that the European Union uses, and we certainly have room for improvement.

So, as you talk to your children about New Year family resolutions, make recycling and reusing in your home, part of the plan. As well, show your children that you will be encouraging your municipality and state update and share their plan too. Find out who manages recycling at your municipality, county or state – call them and write to them. Ask them to look more closely at how to the close the loop and help move us all towards a truly circular economy.

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Four Steps to a Circular Economy (at home, work, and world):

1. Decide what you want to achieve and create a roadmap as to how you will get there.
2. Educate and Activate
3. Assess what can be recycled, reused or taken back, and what should be phased out.
4. Engage with others, share experiences and build partnerships.

Thanks Mike and all our friends at Rutgers University’s Online Master of Public Administration for sharing this informative infographic!

Yours,

Climate Mama