In a previous blog post, we outlined the basic tenets of the circular economy, a model of sustainability that WasteXperts fully supports. What we said at the time was that a circular economy is one in which we reuse our resources, putting them back into the economy rather than discarding them. This stands in contrast with a linear economy, where items are produced, used, and then thrown away.
The main reasons for your business or multi-family community to support a circular economy are environmental ones. We listed a few of those last time, including:
● The circular economy model reduces dependence on non-renewable resources.
● Shifting to a circular economy can help decrease carbon emissions.
● Embracing a circular economy can lead us to a point where we have little or no waste.
In addition to these environmental benefits, there are also some important social benefits to the circular economy, particularly when applied to food and food waste. Those are the ones we want to highlight today.
What are the Social Benefits of the Circular Economy?
Consider just a few reasons why it makes sense to adopt the circular economy model when it comes to food and food waste:
- It promotes healthier food and greater balance to the ecosystem. Shifting toward a circular food economy, one emphasizing regenerative farming and organic agricultural practices, would necessitate a shift toward higher-quality, more nutritious foods. (There’s certainly not much about processed junk foods that can be reused or recycled.) Additionally, it would involve a shift toward farming techniques that improve the quality of soil, such as crop rotations and the use of organic fertilizers.
- It promotes food security. The principles of a circular economy also help improve access to food, and thus increase food security. Specifically, a circular economy would emphasize foods that are produced and consumed locally.
- A circular economy would also empower small farmers and local communities. Because the circular economy model focuses on locally-produced and locally-consumed foods, it shifts a lot of the food production onus onto small, local farmers and producers. This means revitalization for agrarian areas, and a big investment in smaller communities.
- Shifting to a circular economy would create jobs. Many advocates of the circular economy note that it could create a lot of new jobs…and in turn, lead to greater societal cohesion and communal flourishing.
- A circular economy would boost innovation. Finally, in prompting businesses to reconsider some of their sustainability practices, a circular economy could spur tremendous innovations when it comes to food production, packing, transportation, and reuse/disposal.
These are just a few social benefits that underscore the virtues of the circular economy.We’d love to tell you more about why we love this model, and how we can help your business or multi-family community play its part. Reach out to WasteXperts to learn more.
