Environmental Aspects of Circularity

The circular economy primarily pursues the goal of saving resources by keeping materials and products in loop. It is generally seen as a favorite option to decouple ecology and economy and to consider the interests of future generations. However, a circular economy of plastics is not a goal in itself. It should be installed and operated to meet overarching sustainability goals: Achieving climate neutrality, zero pollution protecting ecosystems and human health, and accomplishing technological sovereignty. Circular economy strategies (e.g., reduce, rethink, reuse, repair, recycle) can help in achieving these goals but they have to be flanked by further measures: using renewable energy and minimizing losses in all stages of the cycle and shifting any input into the cycle to renewable sources.
The chapter provides information on the current state of the global plastics economy, the appropriateness, alternatives, and historical background of a circular economy for plastics. The authors further show that in terms of energy demand, leakage, and sustainable raw materials, there will be a major challenge to reduce environmental impacts (especially plastic emissions and greenhouse gas emissions).