AS natural resources become scarcer and more expensive, we need to find new ways to create a more sustainable environment. Businesses can contribute by building a circular economy.A circular economy involves decoupling economic growth from the extraction and consumption of scarce resources and making existing resources productive for as long as possible. Employing a circular supply chain would help make processes — such as product design, procurement and waste management — more efficient and productive. Here are three ways that business can start:1. Practise more closed-loop recycling. There are two main forms of recycling: closed and open loop. Closed loop involves reusing materials such as glass, steel and aluminium that can be recycled continually. Open loop, or "downcycling," takes into account that materials (such as paper) downgrade to lower quality with each recycling, so this involves either only recycling materials that won’t deteriorate over time or extending the life span...

Subscribe now to unlock this article.

Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).

There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.

Cancel anytime.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.