Material recycling in a circular economy—A systems view

Abstract

A circular economy is expected to reduce the use of primary resources through the reuse of products, components, and materials. Material recycling, though advantageous in many cases for saving primary resources by diverting them away from the landfill, may have perverse effects when analyzed from a systems perspective considering the entire material life cycle as well as economy-wide effects of recycling. Using the case of metals, glass, and plastics recycling, the advantages of a systems view including the entire material life cycle in analyzing material recycling are illustrated. The advantages of recycling as compared to virgin production may vary significantly depending of the energy and resource requirements during the recycling process, logistics, and alloying of materials. Expanding the systems view further to analyze the economy-wide effects of material recycling reveal the possibility of rebound effects which may reduce or even negate its advantages. Sustainable consumption is absolutely essential along with any technological advances to counter the rebound effects that may lead to overshoot. The article demonstrates the importance of considering a systems view incorporating a life cycle perspective and economy-wide effects in analyzing and trying to maintain the advantages of material recycling. This article is categorized under: Climate and Environment > Circular Economy Emerging Technologies > Materials Climate and Environment > Pollution Prevention.