Eve, here. Recycling and waste disposal are, or should be, important practices, but they don’t get much attention. Many consumer-facing systems, such as garbage separation, are applied so inconsistently that they are useless (don’t even get me started on what I’ve seen around the world). Systems for business and industry seem to have more potential (more materials can be reused, the size of the business makes them easier to implement and manage, etc.), but they don’t help. I believe developed countries have such systems in place, but the United States focuses on a sense of security at the household level. 1
Also, due to a bit of drafting laziness, the author designates Russia as an emerging country due to its membership in BRICS.
Written by Ifani Confidence Tahlela, Research Fellow, Durban University of Technology, and Furfero Netswela, Vice-Chancellor for Research and Postgraduate Studies, University of Venda. Originally published on The Conversation
The global economy still follows a simple pattern of extracting natural resources, manufacturing products, using them, and disposing of them. This “take, make, dispose” model has driven economic growth for decades. However, increased resource use is also damaging the environment, contributing to climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
A circular economy could be the solution. The idea is to make materials last as long as possible through reuse, repair and recycling. In this way, goods circulate within the economy rather than ending up in the dump as waste.
This approach is becoming increasingly important for rapidly developing economies.
We are researchers working on waste management, circular economy, and sustainability transitions in emerging countries.
A recent book chapter examined how the original BRICS countries, such as Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, are approaching climate change adaptation and pursuing sustainability. (Later, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates joined BRICS.)
We chose to study these countries because they are among the world’s largest emerging economies. They face similar challenges of increasing demand for resources and goods and increasing amounts of waste. This makes them important case studies for understanding circular economy transitions at scale.
We reviewed existing research on each country’s policies, technologies, and business models to identify key opportunities, challenges, and policy lessons.
Our findings show that circular economy practices are emerging in the countries we studied, but not at the same pace. China stands out as the most developed country. We have a strong national circular economy policy and are implementing it at scale.
Brazil and India are making modest progress primarily through bio-based systems that use natural products, such as plants, to create environmentally friendly products and chemicals. They have also developed innovative recycling methods.
In contrast, Russia focuses primarily on recycling industrial waste. South Africa lags behind because it does not have enough recycling facilities and does not implement all circular economy policies.
The way countries manage resources and waste will shape the quality of urban life, public health, and economic opportunity for millions of people.
Why BRICS countries face increasing pressure
Cities around the world generate more than 2 billion tons of waste each year, which is sent to local dumps. This amount will increase as the population grows and consumption increases.
Brics countries account for more than 40% of the world’s population and about a quarter of the world’s economic output. These economies are rapidly urbanizing, expanding industry, and increasing demand for raw materials, energy, and manufactured goods.
This growth also generates large amounts of waste. However, recycling levels remain relatively modest. China currently has the highest recycling rate in the group, recycling approximately 38% of its waste. In Brazil, about 29% and in India, about 24% are recycled. Russia and South Africa recycle much smaller shares, around 14% and 12%, respectively.
Our research suggests that these countries need to quickly adopt circular economy practices to sustain economic growth while reducing waste and pressure on the environment.
Circular economy practice
Brazil: Brazil has developed bioenergy and waste management practices that reuse agricultural residues and improve university and municipal recycling systems. In cities like Curitiba, residents can exchange recyclable waste for food and transportation, increasing both recycling rates and social welfare.
Russia: Russia focuses primarily on recycling industrial waste. For example, we are promoting the development of an “eco-techno park.” These factories have waste treatment facilities next to their factories, and industrial waste can be used to create new products. This reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and increases efficiency.
India: India is experimenting with “urban mining.” Here, valuable materials are recovered from e-waste and reintroduced into manufacturing. For example, India’s e-waste recycling system recovers metals such as gold and copper from discarded electronics.
China: China has the most ambitious circular economy policy among the former BRICS countries. Some cities have introduced extensive recycling programs or mandatory waste separation systems where households must separate their waste into four categories or pay a fine.
South Africa: South Africa is starting to introduce circular economy ideas into its green supply chain. This includes redesigning the way we source, produce, transport and dispose of products to reuse materials, minimize waste and reduce environmental impact. For example, using recycled materials and reducing packaging materials.
Sustainable manufacturing is another example. South Africa has introduced extended producer responsibility regulations. These require manufacturers to take responsibility for the waste generated by their products throughout their lifecycle. This encourages companies to design products that are easier to reuse or recycle.
Petco brings together producers to manage South Africa’s Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme for packaging. We support collection, recycling, design and markets to reduce waste and promote a circular economy.
South Africa could accelerate further by adopting more practices from other Brics countries.
Opportunity for innovation
Circular systems not only reduce waste and reduce environmental impact, they can also create new industries focused on recycling, repair services, and remanufacturing (bringing used products back to near-new condition). These are desperately needed in all Brics countries and across the African continent.
Digital tools such as artificial intelligence, big data and smart waste management systems can help. For example, smart bins equipped with sensors can alert collection trucks when the bin is full. Artificial intelligence system automatically separates plastic, metal and paper on the conveyor belt in seconds.
BRICS countries have a large consumer market. Such new innovations therefore support the growth of new economic sectors focused on sustainability and may also create new classes of jobs.
what needs to happen next
Governments need clear strategies to boost recycling, promote sustainable production and support resource efficiency.
A major barrier to a circular economy in the countries we studied is a lack of coordination. Regulations are fragmented across government levels and departments, with local governments disposing of waste and national agencies setting standards, making it unclear who is responsible for specific tasks.
Another problem is the lack of recycling facilities, waste treatment systems, and technology that can efficiently recover and reuse materials.
Incentives to participate in the circular economy may also be needed, as companies tend to focus on short-term profits over sustainability.
Investment by governments and the private sector in green technologies and improved data systems to monitor how waste and resources flow is also important.
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1 Just to be clear, if you have a garden, composting is the way to go. My beef is with the municipal recycling input process.
