The “New Plastics Economy” is a circular economic system which eliminates waste, maximises value, and uses plastic efficiently. In doing so it will help protect our environment, reduce marine litter, greenhouse gas emissions and our dependence on imported fossil fuels.
The circular economy was introduced by the architect William McDonough, known as the “Father of the Circular Economy” in his book “Cradle to Cradle: Remaking The Way We Make Things”, where Cradle to Cradle Design focused on quality of products including safety for humans and environmental health.
In 2013, a report was released entitled “Towards the Circular Economy: Economic and Business Rationale for an Accelerated Transition”. The report was commissioned by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and developed by McKinsey & Company, which was the first to consider the economic and business opportunity for the transition to a restorative, circular model.
The New Plastics Economy unites businesses, governments, and other organisations under a common vision and targets to address plastic waste and pollution at its source. It is led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in collaboration with the UN Environment Program.
Launched in October 2018, the Global Commitment already united more than 400 organisations in its common vision of a circular economy for plastics, keeping plastics in the economy and out of the ocean.
In a new plastics economy, plastic never becomes waste or pollution. Three actions are required to achieve this vision and create a circular economy for plastic. Eliminate all problematic and unnecessary plastic items. Innovate to ensure that the plastics we do need are reusable, recyclable, or compostable. Circulate all the plastic items we use to keep them in the economy and out of the environment.
Source: The Ellen MacArthur Foundation – New Plastic Economy
Mauritius is seriously considering how it can bring an end to plastic waste on the island, and rightly so.
In 2020, the Ministry of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Climate Change implemented the ban of single-use plastics and in 2021, it published draft regulations for the management of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and containers generated by the food and beverages industry.
In our view, the best solution to the plastic problem in Mauritius would be to ramp up our recycling industry and create a sustainable circular economy, in which waste is eliminated by reusing resources. This will require a targeted nationwide education programme – with the private sector playing an important role – as well as financial incentives that prompt changes in consumer habits. This is why we are in favour of an expansion of the ‘extended producer responsibility’ framework.
Encouragingly, progress is already being made in Mauritius. NGOs have reported a significant increase in the volumes of PET bottles collected from their bins. This shows that public awareness is on the rise.
The private sector, government and society at large are all aligned on the need to reduce and ultimately eliminate plastic waste by recycling more. The move towards a circular economy, with recycling and the reuse of resources at the core, would accelerate the shift to a low-carbon economy and create jobs.