Environmentalists are revolutionizing the capitalist economy as we know it by identifying sustainability limitations along the value chain found within the manufacturing industry. Environmentalists argue that companies could support sustainable capitalism by challenging the current processes linked to material mining, transportation and production .
With respect to the latter, as eco-friendly economic systems rely on material reclamation for low-impact manufacturing, enhancing production sustainability may improve society’s sense of community, financial security and health. Environmentalists can establish large-scale conservation shifts starting with the construction industry.
The Circular Economy
Eco-consumers and diminishing material supplies can drive positive change in the manufacturing industry, leading to companies like Patagonia and Airbnb encouraging material producers and consumers to shrink their carbon footprints. Both companies use reclamation models to recycle textiles and unused properties for profit.
Patagonia and Airbnb are following the circular economy theory to revolutionize their business models. They challenge conservative capitalistic ideals, which claim sustainable economies are unremunerative. Patagonia has a repair shop to restore damaged textiles for consumers. Repairing clothing challenges planned obsolescence while increasing a company’s profitability, and in turn, using recyclable materials and promoting product reuse supports the circular economy. And while Patagonia uses recycled materials to manufacture clothing lasting a lifetime, a sharing platform like Airbnb greatly reduce waste as consumers borrow or share a product rather than purchasing it.
Manufacturers can incorporate reclamation practices into three key sectors to eliminate billions of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Cement, steel and aluminum production generate climate-disrupting levels. The circular economy increases the manufacturing sustainability of construction materials.
Deconstruction and Material Reclamation
Environmentalists are targeting the construction industry in the transition toward sustainable capitalism since thesector produces about 39% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and nearly 11% come from material manufacturing.
Industry professionals can support the circular economy by building with recyclable materials. They may reclaim resources and reduce pollution by deconstructing buildings. This is more sustainable than demolition because it preserves reusable materials and minimizes debris.
Reusing building materials can significantly decrease emissions and preserve the global ecosystem. Builders may reclaim used wood for other construction projects and reduce deforestation, which protects habitats and the atmosphere. Some eco-conscious builders are converting used newspaper into cellulose insulation. They combine old newsprint with borate to decrease its flammability and mold accumulation. Repurposing all construction materials can free landfill space and minimize eutrophication.
In fact, only 1 tree can collect and purify over 48 pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. Reusing concrete, steel, stone and other materials also protects the ecosystem. Builders may access reusable materials through deconstruction or repurpose of non-construction-related products.
Restoration Practices
Construction professionals can also restore buildings instead of building new structures. Restoration practices not only reduce material waste and ecosystem disruption but also shrink carbon footprints.
Residential structures use about 55% of their energy supplies to power heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Commercial properties also use significant quantities of power for heating and cooling.
HVAC-related energy exploitation contributes to atmospheric pollution, but builders can reduce HVAC emissions and waste by restoring structures with low-impact materials. Reducing energy waste from HVAC systems can shrink a structure’s carbon footprint.
Alternative Fuel Sources
Another way to enable the circular economy is by producing and using alternative fuel sources. An essential feature of sustainable capitalism is minimizing municipal solid waste (MSW).
In this light, a significant portion of climate-disrupting pollution comes from the agricultural sector, and environmental engineers have developed a sustainable system for creating biomass fuel from farm waste. One team in India conserved their local ecosystems by collecting it. They also minimized greenhouse gas emissions by converting the agricultural byproduct into energy. The project created more than 400 new employment opportunities.
Other regions are diverting MSW from landfills by generating biogas at production facilities. Advanced machines remove carbon dioxide, nitrogen, methane and other contaminants from the fuel source.
Repurposing MSW to power the transportation sector significantly decreases emissions as construction professionals can power their vehicles and building equipment with waste-derived fuel to reduce carbon footprints.
Community, Economic and Physical Prosperity
Reclaiming building materials and other forms of waste can enhance the construction sector’s sustainability. The circular economy reduces surface-level and atmospheric pollution, improving social prosperity, which revolves around community, economics and physical well-being.
A sustainable construction industry can enable a circular economy and enhance community connections. Builders can restore outdated buildings and convert them into public science facilities to stimulate eco-consciousness. Developing sustainable buildings can help environmentalists and community members come together in impactful ways.
The circular economy also promotes financial stability by creating more green jobs. Researchers found sustainable capitalism may increase economic gains by $4.5 trillion by 2030. Such gains imply that society will have greater access to employment opportunities when countries adopt circular economies.
Transitioning toward a circular economy also improves individuals’ health and well-being. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions can minimize lung cancer and other respiratory diseases, as well as protect the global ecosystem’s health and well-being.
Reusing materials and restoring old buildings minimizes the built environment’s expansion, while preserving natural land and resources for generations to come.
When Will Countries Adopt Circular Economies?
Eco-consumers and conscious business owners are promoting the transition toward a circular economy. Government officials’ strong ties with big oil and gas companies limits their support for renewable products, however, consumers can restrict consumption of new products to influence sustainable manufacturing.
Business owners can also take matters into their own hands and hire environmental, social and governance (ESG) professionals. ESG workers not only help companies adopt low-impact practices using reclaimed materials and fuel sources, but also help them optimize operations and increased financial benefits.
Change can happen but it needs to happen today, Join the outreach in promoting circular economies globally.
