Waste Management and the Circular Economy

Abstract

Waste production is a significant problem affecting territories worldwide due to human activities linked to economic development and resource consumption, both in developed and developing countries. Approximately 7–10 billion tons of waste per year are produced worldwide, and large quantities of resources are expended on managing this waste. In the future, due to the world’s increasing population and economic development, waste production could become even more significant. In this context, waste management companies play a significant role in the social and economic development of territories and, thus, the general welfare of communities. The “circular economy approach” – requiring actions at all stages of the life cycle of products – may help to rethink the overall waste management issue. In particular, given the scarcity of natural resources for many countries, efficient collection and recovery of waste likely make sense, enabling the transformation of wastes into resources that can be re-introduced into the economic system as secondary raw materials, leading to both environmental and economic advantages.