Circular Economy in Birmingham: Challenges and Initiatives

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the circular economy, focusing on its principles, benefits, and practical applications. It begins by defining the circular economy and contrasting it with the traditional linear model, emphasizing the importance of minimizing waste and maximizing resource utilization. The report then delves into the specific context of Birmingham, a Commonwealth city, examining its initiatives to promote a circular economy, including the development of recycling programs, the adoption of renewable energy sources, and the encouragement of sustainable business practices. It highlights the role of government and local companies in driving these initiatives. Furthermore, the report identifies and analyzes the barriers to implementing a circular economy in Birmingham, such as inadequate recycling technology and waste infrastructure. The report also discusses the challenges of fast fashion. The report concludes with recommendations for overcoming these barriers and fostering a more sustainable and environmentally friendly economic model within the city. All content is provided by a student for Desklib.

Ethics, Sustainability and
Social Impact

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
1: Circular economy ........................................................................................................................3
2 : Birmingham a common wealth city ...........................................................................................5
a. Development of circular economy...........................................................................................6
b. Barriers in circular economy ...................................................................................................7
3: Initiative of government and local companies.............................................................................8
4 : Common wealth local government meeting on recommendations ............................................9
Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Circular economy states about the economic system, which is made to minimise the
wastage of limited resource (Kirchherr and et.al, 2017). This report speaks about the benefit
and principle of circular economy. This report shows such theories from which the idea of
circular economy has been developed. Initiatives of local companies and government to
improve the circular economy is being mentioned in this report. Barriers in circular economy is
also defined in this report.
1: Circular economy
Circular economy refers to the model which is being implied by the various organizations
and companies. This model is related to production and consumption, which consists, reuse
refurbishing, repairing and recycling of already available material and also the product to
safeguard the environment. This model is getting used by the companies to reduce the waste
material. When the company finishes the product and the product gets ready to sell but it leaves
so much of waste and dust in the environment and sometimes, many companies through the
remaining waste into rivers and on empty lands which is harmful for the animals.
Circular economy is a system who’s aim is to eliminate the waste and encourage the uses
of recycled products. The main motive of this economy is to make the product equipped and
infrastructure for long duration. So that the productivity of the resources can be increased.
So such waste is harmful for humans as well, apart from this waste is causing harm to the
lives of animals. such type of products is harming the economy as well. Instead of throwing
such waste in the environment, companies may reuse this for making new products and can
create further value.
This can be taken in the form of departure from traditional to linear economic model
which is made from take-make-consume-throw away pattern. This model can only work on
large quantities of cheap and easily available materials.
The need of circular economy is getting increased as the population is increasing day by
day so the demand for raw material is also getting increased. In result the supply of raw material
is getting decreased (Morseletto, 2020). So if the company reuses the material and recycle the
products it can protect the environment and also it may fulfil the needs of the consumer. This
idea of circular economy is being propounded by Kenneth E. Bounding as per the Author people
must use the recycled products and think for the welfare and development of the environment.

Benefits of circular economy
Use of recycled products can save the money of EU companies and it can help the
environment in reducing greenhouse gas. If the circular economy becomes popular, so the
pressure ion the environment will also get minimized with the passage of time. the supply can
get increased and the demands of the people will get fulfilled. Apart from this, circular
economy is helpful; for then growth of country and it will bring innovation in the country.
Besides this, consumer will receive more durable and innovative products which will increase
their life span and also save their money.
Linear vs circular economy
Companies need raw material to manufacture the goods or products and after using such
products they get turned into waste (Prieto and et.al, 2018). Apart from these new good will be
made by using new raw material and the old one become outdated and no longer come into
usage. In result the more waste gets produced. This is not a small problem, these unused
products are producing more plastics in the ocean as companies and people through such old and
unused product in the rivers and seas. So the linear economy is not sustainable for long.
But on the other hand circular economy has totally opposite aim and objective. This idea
stops the extraction of raw – material and waste. This forces on the reuse of such material as
possible instead of thronging them into garbage and rivers. thus the circular economy is known
as make / remake and use/ reuse economy.
Principals of circular economy
As this economy is focuses on recycle and reuse but it is based in some principals then only it
can provide benefits to the environment and economy of the country. As it is a man-made
system so this have to follow some principals such as –
Waste = food
In the environment one species waste become food for another species. Similar to this, any
product and material which has no use becomes waste but it can be recycles and used it in
different ways. So people should use this principle and use waste material to form new one.
Energy from renewable resources
There are major sources of renewable energy is available in the environment such as Solar
energy, wind power and tidal power. As in the environment, a plant use sunlight for the growth

so the people can also use renewable energy to prevent the environment instead of using oil and
gases., which are limited resources and can get vanished if human use this in access quantity.
Think in systems
In nature it has been seen that when on species get extinct, it may effect the
other species as well because all are dependent on each other. But in real world people are
wasting the useful things (Zink and et.al, 2017). Thus the circular economy is guiding that all
the humans should work together government and companies should join their hands together to
protect environment.
Theories from which circular economy get emerged
The concept of circular economy is being emerged from ans umbrella tool. Thus the
concept of circular economy is generated through the umbrella term who's main motive is the
growth of economic opportunity and make usable products from the waste management.
Circular economy is protecting the environment and entire planet. By recycling the old products
people can safeguard the natural resources which is limited in nature. This will help the
company to fulfil the demand apart from this, circular economy will benefit the environment by
reducing air and water pollution.
By utilizing these resources no more waste will get through out in the the environment.
This concept is very necessary in today's world specially in the consumption of resources. As
many companies are dependent on other companies for the sake of raw material, so when the
company start using used raw material and equipment , companies can easily create new
products. So with the help of circular economy dependence on other economy will get
minimized. As the many vehicles such as cars, trains, and air planes uses petrol and diesel and
these are limited resources .
2 : Birmingham a common wealth city
As Birmingham is developing as a common wealth country, and circular economy is
getting boost up in this city of UK (Geissdoerfer and et.al 2017). As Birmingham has many
factories and companies who are indulge in making goods and products, apart from this many
companies are engaged in manufacturing so that they can produce quality products and deliver
bets to their customers. But this city is concern about the well fare and development of the
environment.

a. Development of circular economy
As the circular economy is concern for the protection of environment, so Birmingham
which is one of the biggest and popular city of UK, is giving more wattage to use the recycles
products and also reuse the raw material in making new good.
This city can become the most popular in circular economy, the main reason behind this
is that government of UK has taken ans initiative that they will appreciate those products which
is made from reuse and recycled product (Rajput and et.al, 201). So the companies are trying
to make such products only so that they get more name and fame in the market. Apart from this,
many companies and offices which is present in Birmingham, are using renewable energy do that
they may utilize the sun light and protecting the environment, and trying to minimize the
greenhouse gases. As the companies are using fewer material in maki8ng the new goods this
has impacted the entire production of the company.
So the circular economy is contributing the economic growth and development of the
country. Now the economy of the country is getting more broaden and becoming more diverse.
Another thing which makes circular economy more popular in Birmingham is that this concept is
generating more opportunities for the diversification, skill development and value- creation.
One more thing which makes Birmingham as a developed circular economy is that it is a
part of developed country. Nowadays developed countries are more concern for the environment
and they are implementing technology in the circular economy. Such as electronic waste
which is popularly known as e-waste, which is getting used to collect the garbage electronically
and provide information about the level of garbage which is present in the dustbin.
So the Birmingham is using such electronic devises to make the city clean and safe.
Thus the impact of circular economy is high in Birmingham. Apart from this, people of this
city is also aware about the environmental and they do not get hesitate in paying the higher
prices of those products which is being made from recycling. But the government of this
country has decided the prices of reused and recycled products so that no one company may
charge higher prices form the customers.
Therefor, the development of circular economy is getting high in Birmingham as
compared to other cities.

b. Barriers in circular economy
As Birmingham is trying to use the circular economy, but they are facing some major
issues and challenges so that they can overcome those and convert such barriers as the
opportunity.
Recycling technology is not good
This is one of the barrier which is being found that when the companies are trying to
recycle the plastic, they are facing difficulties in shredding and reprocessed. So the main thing
which is being faced by the companies in recycling is that they are not having proper technology
to shred the plastic and polyester.
Only 2 percent of the plastic is getting recycled and convert into the new and similar
products with same quantity (Moraga and et.al, 2019). So all the companies of Birmingham
needs high quality technology which can bring quality and purity of the plastic in the new
product which is being made from good plastic.
Wrong business model
This the another thing which has become a barrier in the circular economy. Specially the
clothing company, which is putting inverse impact on the environment by using non toxic- dyes
and also the recycle clothes scarps. This is getting increased in the name of fast fashion model
and people are liking this very much but this has become a barrier I circular economy and
Birmingham is working on it to take this issue as an opportunity.
Lack of proper waste infrastructure
It has been found that hardly one third of the plastic is not being collected by the waste
management system and getting mixed in the ocean, land and river, and this is more harmful
for the earth and for the environment. So the companies are trying to improve their electronic
waste collector as this technology is not working well (Rizos and et.al 2017). So the companies
and government as well trying to overcome this and try to aware the people as well so that they
throw the garbage in the proper dustbin and do not through hither and thither.
As the companies and government has come to know the major factors and barriers of
the circular economy so now they are working to overcome such issues and trying to meet the
expectations of the people and government as well, and government is coaching people to
implement Zero waste home, which makes the people aware that how they can make their life
trash free and by doing so they can easily.

Government has taken the initiative to make people aware to use linen bag whenever
they visit to any grocery shop so that they can avoid the use of plastic bags. So the the norm of
using plastic bags will get reduced. Although the government is trying to minimize the use of
single plastic so that the environment can remain clean.
Another thing which is being done by the government is that they are creating more
rules and regulations and although they are updating the rules which is being made in previous
years. Companies are also putting more focus on public – private relationship so that they can
easily implement the rules which is being made by the government.
To overcome the barriers, companies are trying to work on their technology like they
want to use more better technology which helps them, in reducing, reusing and recycling the
product. So that the new product do not have to face any issues in the new product.
3: Initiative of government and local companies
All the companies and government is aware b that the resources are limited in the
quantity (7 Sustainability Tips to Encourage Employees to Buy-In., 2020). So the companies are
trying to create a recycling task force in their organization so that more and more employees get
to know the importance of such products. Companies are using various disposable, cups and
plates at the time of break but instead of using such di sposable plates they may use
reusable counterparts. Apart from this, company may reuse the small things in their company so
they may save the plastics.
Apart from this company can mention recycling bins in the workplace and clearly
mention that it is recycling bin so that it can be drawn in the mind of the employees that they
have to use only recycled products to protect the environment.
Another thing which most of the companies are doing is that they are using conserving
water and using conserving energy so that they can stop misusing the extra use of energy and
water.
The government is also joining their hands to increase the use of recycled products. To
use the technology for the development of the recycled products. For that government is giving
fund to those companies who are indulged in converting those reused raw- materials to make the
new products.

Besides this, Government of UK has run the initiative called waste not, want more, in
this initiative governmental is establishing electronic dustbins in the beaches, parks and other
public area so people do not spread garbage in different places (Korhonen and et.al 2018). So
the government is focusing on the avoidance of waste and also trying to reduce the
contamination and trying to develop markets for recycled material. This type of material
market has began in Birmingham. Thus Birmingham is developed city in terms of circular
economy.
The big issue which is present in-front of the government is increasing pollution form
the vehicles and vehicles and their usage is getting increased day by day. So the government
of UK is promoting the usage of electric vehicles or such vehicles who uses less fuel. Although
the government is requesting from people to use solar photo-voltaic and solar energy so that
they can minimize the use of electricity and water.
The major challenge which the government is facing to that the extra use of plastic and
plastic is harmful for the land and for the environment as well. So the government has taken
may initiatives to reduce the extra uses of plastic and trying to reduce the quantum of plastic.
Most of the chemical factories are producing these plastic which has become a threat for the
ecology and environment.
So these are the major initiatives which is being taken by the government and local
companies to implement the circular economy.
4 : Common wealth local government meeting on recommendations
Government is aware about the uses of reuse and recycle but for that they have to stop
the people to the extra usage of products,. If once they use the product, it become outdated for
them and when the new product come into the market, people forget the old one so instead of
considering the old product as waste they can reuse the same product in different manner. So the
agenda of the government is developing the circular economy, and this agenda can only be
achieved by two ways - first is recycling the material and other is increase the efficiency of
such resources.
As the company needs raw material for the production such as iron, steel, cement and
fuels which all are limited resources and excess use of these resources will bring difficulties in
the future. To overcome such situation government is taking many initiatives. Government of

UK is publishing many articles about the importance of recycling so by reading this, more and
more people get to know about the importance of recycling.
In UK, government is teaching and making aware the students of school and college, the
importance of recycle and reuse because they are the future of the country, and if they now the
importance of the resources then only it can remain protected (Pieroni, and et.al 2019.). So
these are the major things which the government is doing to let people aware about the concept
of recycling.
Government is adding the bins to public areas apart from that, government is creating the
recycling club. The main work of this group is to generate awareness about the recycled
products and also protect the rights of the people.
With the help of creativity, people can bring more new innovative ideas to reuse the
things and recycle the things.
In Birmingham, now the people are more aware about the usage of goods and they know
what is the importance of such resources even the local companies of Birmingham working to
increase the usage of recycled products.
Conclusion
From the above report it has been mentioned that this report focuses on the circular
economy, and how to promote circular economy in the country to promote the recycling of the
resources is being mentioned in the report. Principals of circular economy is discussed in this
report. Apart from this theories from which circular economy get emerged is also discussed in
this report. Initiation taken by the government in the development of circular economy is
mentioned in this report.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Geissdoerfer and et.al 2017. The Circular Economy–A new sustainability paradigm?. Journal of
cleaner production.143.pp.757-768.
Kirchherr and et.al, 2017. Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114
definitions. Resources, conservation and recycling.127.pp.221-232.
Korhonen and et.al 2018. Circular economy as an essentially contested concept. Journal of
cleaner production.175. pp.544-552.
Moraga and et.al, 2019. Circular economy indicators: What do they measure?. Resources,
Conservation and Recycling, 146, pp.452-461.
Morseletto, P., 2020. Targets for a circular economy. Resources, Conservation and
Recycling.153. p.104553.
Pieroni, and et.al 2019. Business model innovation for circular economy and sustainability: A
review of approaches. Journal of cleaner production.215.pp.198-216.
Prieto and et.al, 2018. Towards a consensus on the circular economy. Journal of cleaner
production.179. pp.605-615.
Rajput and et.al, 2019. Connecting circular economy and industry 4.0. International Journal of
Information Management.49. pp.98-113.
Rizos and et.al 2017. The Circular Economy: A review of definitions, processes and
impacts. CEPS Papers, (12440).
Rizos and et.al, 2017. The Circular Economy: A review of definitions, processes and
impacts. CEPS Papers, (12440).
Urbinati and et.al, 2017. Towards a new taxonomy of circular economy business
models. Journal of Cleaner Production. 168. pp.487-498.
Zink and et.al, 2017. Circular economy rebound. Journal of Industrial Ecology.21(3). pp.593-
602.
Online
7 Sustainability Tips to Encourage Employees to Buy-In., 2020 [online] Available through:
<https://usgreentechnology.com/7-ideas-employees-recycle/>