New York City’s Trash Revolution: Role in Promoting a Circular Economy

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New York City’s Trash Revolution: Role in Promoting a Circular Economy

Context:

New York City’s long-awaited new trash cans have been unveiled, nearly two years after the city spent $1.6 million on a contract with consulting firm McKinsey in 2022.

 

More on News: 

  • The new NYC Bin is a wheeled container with a secure latching lid, designed to replace the traditional loose trash bags that have long cluttered the city’s sidewalks.

 

‘ Trash Revolution ’

  • The goal is to containerise approximately 70% per cent of the city’s annual 14 billion pounds of trash.
  • This move is expected to improve public spaces and reduce rat infestations.

 

New York City's Trash Revolution: Role in Promoting a Circular Economy

 

The Role of Trash Bins in Reducing Pollution:

  • Proper Waste Segregation: Trash bins designed for segregating waste (organic, recyclable, non-recyclable) promote proper waste sorting at the source, enhancing recycling and composting efficiency.
  • Facilitating Recycling: Bins with clear labels and colour-coding make sorting easier, helping recycle materials more efficiently and reducing the need for virgin raw materials.
  • Preventing Littering: Well-placed bins in public spaces reduce littering, preventing pollution of waterways, clogging of drainage systems, and harm to wildlife.

 

New York City's Trash Revolution: Role in Promoting a Circular Economy

 

A Circular Economy for a Better Future:

Principles of a Circular Economy: A circular economy is designed to be restorative and regenerative, benefiting both the planet and the economy.

Focuses on three main principles:

  • Eliminate waste and pollution
  • Circulate products and materials
  • Regenerate nature

 

Achieving Circularity:

  • Reuses and recycles products and materials, reducing waste and carbon emissions.
  • Implemented through the seven Rs: Recycle, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Refurbish, and Recover.
  • Materials and resources are used for as long as possible, and non-recyclable items are converted into energy.

 

Economic and Environmental Benefits:

  • Promotes an economy based on “closing the life cycle” of products.
  • Focuses on producing goods, services, and new business models that reduce raw material and energy consumption.
  • Minimises waste, conserves resources, and prioritises the environment, fostering economic growth and innovation.

 

G-20 New Delhi Declaration (2023) expands the Circular Economy framework for sustainable consumption and production.

 

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