Zero Waste Circular Economy - todays Economics Festival

 

Mariel Viella is a good speaker and presenter on this topic of Zero waste... circular economy here is the link to Gaia you will be able to see the recording of this later in the day on facebook Rethinking Economics

 "GAIA is a worldwide alliance of more than 800 grassroots groups, non-governmental organizations, and individuals in over 90 countries.

With our work we aim to catalyze a global shift towards environmental justice by strengthening grassroots social movements that advance solutions to waste and pollution. 

 We envision a just, zero waste world built on respect for ecological limits and community rights, where people are free from the burden of toxic pollution, and resources are sustainably conserved, not burned or dumped. 

At GAIA, we see waste and its resulting pollution as a symptom of a larger, profit-driven extractive economy, and we promote zero waste as a holistic solution and an economic shift toward justice and sustainability."

   It is inspirational and rays of hope that groups of activists are coming together to problem solve waste and its effect on Climate change.  I was struck by the fact that ground fills and dumps produce heat of course with degeneration of foodstuffs that affect global warming.   I like the idea of mentor cities to achieve zero waste - I am further thinking we need model cities that spread out to mentor cities to then spread to all cities to guide through waste management and recycling.  But on the map I did not see any cities in Germany and this baffles me as I lived in Munich in the early 1990s and they were way ahead of recycling and climate issues.. streets had recycling collection points for paper, plastics glass and clothes and all shops used cotton bags not plastic... 
My first trip to India was impressed with the use of banana leaves as wrapping for lunch instead of plastic... and of course they use the tiffin tins too.. but that was in early 1990s sadly I am seeing over the years more and more waste problems there.. Seem the more consumerism is promoted with all the packaged goods then the waste material rises!! 
  I was shocked today with the overwhelming issue of countries producing masses of waste that it is shipped to other countries to deal with.  I had seen reports of this but today really hit home on the craziness of this.. 
There was a suggestion that burnable waste could be used for Cement kilns rather than using fossil fuels this seems a better solution... also for steel industry and forges I am thinking. 
I got a bit confused in our chat on the PAYT Pay as you throw... In my mind was thinking it would be good initiative and incentive for citizens to get some voucher for using recycling centres... not as a fine for throwing but to reward recycling... Maybe in local supermarkets sponsoring food vouchers..... 
I have also put in the chat and Question comments about our local Brunel University graduate that has devised building materials from waste that is durable, insulating & fire retardant Biohm  plus discovered a mycellium that can digest plastics... So brilliant afternoon of sharing....