This year, Earth Overshoot Day falls as early as 29 July. On that day, we used up our quota of the earth's natural resources. In 1970, this day of surplus fell on 28 December. Can you imagine. What a difference from today. And 29 July is the globally calculated date. Looking only at the Netherlands, we are doing a lot worse. In our country, Earth Overshoot Day already fell on 27 April this year.
Farewell to linear economy
The problem of raw material availability is only getting worse. I recently attended a webinar organised by Machevo on recycling and the circular economy. The guests were Kees Uppenkamp from Smicon (a developer and manufacturer of recycling machinery) and Remko Walsweer from Prezero (a waste processor that believes in a future where waste has value). They had an interesting discussion about waste processors becoming raw material suppliers and how we are moving away from the linear economy.
This change requires more cooperation throughout the chain. A first step is to reduce the amount of waste. We will have to reduce consumption and increase the level of recycling. The lifespan of products and machines will be extended. So repair more and eventually recycle. A longer lifespan will eventually become an obligation to be short-listed. Producers will already start taking into account possibilities to reuse their product during production (in consultation with end customer and waste processor). Of course, government regulation also plays an important role in getting substances back in the chain.
Circularity stagnates
Circularity is no longer a matter of wanting it. The change is long overdue. But although the Machevo webinar said that within 10 years we will have organised recycling optimally in Western Europe, various reports show that the growth of circularity within the manufacturing industry is stagnating. While circular performance in the Netherlands compares favourably with that of European sector peers, progress is nevertheless stalling. For although less and less material is needed per product made, the total material use of our manufacturing industry is still growing in absolute terms.
Most environmental problems are strongly linked to the mining and processing of natural resources. The total direct annual welfare loss due to environmental damage is estimated by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency at over €31 billion (in 2015). The industrial sector is responsible for over 14% of this. That we dwell on Earth Overshoot Day every year is of course fine, but what do we do with it? If current climate change is not yet a stick to push for circularity, fear of wealth loss might be. I hope that message comes through loud and clear on 29 July during Earth Overshoot Day.
