Does the Circular Economy Consume More Energy While Saving Materials? | CBCGDF Climate Change Working Group

The circular economy aims to keep resources in use for as long as possible, reducing waste and the need for virgin materials. On one hand, it does seem to save materials. For instance, recycling programs for metals, plastics, and paper divert these materials from landfills and incinerators, allowing them to be reused.

However, the processes involved in the circular economy can be energy - intensive. Recycling processes often require energy for collection, sorting, and reprocessing. For example, recycling aluminum cans involves melting the aluminum, which demands a significant amount of heat energy. Similarly, plastic recycling may require complex chemical processes that consume energy.

But it's not all negative. In the long run, the circular economy can lead to overall energy savings. By reducing the need to extract and process virgin materials, which are often energy - intensive processes in themselves, the circular economy can have a net positive effect on energy consumption. For example, mining for new metals requires large amounts of energy for extraction and refining. If recycled metals can replace a significant portion of newly mined metals, the overall energy consumption in the metals industry can be reduced. So, while there are energy - consuming aspects in the circular economy, it has the potential to be more energy - efficient in the grand scheme of things.

 

Translator: Richard

Checked by Sara

Editor: Richard

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