Different from the linear economy of “take–make–dispose”, the circular economy is the new global strategy that strives to minimize waste by recycling it. The circular economy is no longer just a buzzword of environmentalists– it is now an industrial reality.
Studies by some countries have determined that a shift to a circular economy would reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by up to 70%, ushering in the ultimate low-carbon economy. The studies have also indicated that the circular economy would expand global employment by almost 4%.
According to a study by the consulting company McKinsey, the circular economy could eradicate waste and improve global sustainability by simply increasing the “waste-to-product” life cycles of waste.
The Hydrocarbon Waste Reality
Today, traditional disposal methods for hydrocarbon waste such as landfilling or burning prevent waste from having new life cycles. These methods destroy resources that will never get into the circular economy, they are gone forever! An added advantage to the circular economy is the substantial reduction of CO emissions, the major contributor to global warming.
Hydrocarbon waste represents approximately 34% of all landfilled matter. The most common types are tires, rubber, plastics, asphalt roof shingles, automobile shred residue and disposed diapers.
Rethinking the Future of Hydrocarbon Waste
Waste-to-products recycling initiatives and technologies are an integral part of the expansion to the circular economy. Contrary to traditional waste disposal methods, “waste-to-products” technologies are able to recover valuable commodity products from waste and give them an extended life. For example, Ecolomondo’s Thermal Decomposition Process (TDP) is a green technology that decomposes and recycles hydrocarbon waste by transforming it into commodity products for reuse. When decomposing tires, TDP yields four commodity products: carbon black, oil, steel and gas that can be reused to make more products.
Solutions such as Ecolomondo’s TDP are an integral part of the new circular economy. To get more information on the technology, please visit: ecolomondo.com. A shift to a circular economy will benefit us all. Be also part of it and of our network: follow us to be continuously updated.
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