Circular Economy: Benefits of the Sustainable Community Program by Earth5R

It is estimated that a circular economy path adopted by India could bring in annual benefits of 40 lakh crores or approximately US$ 624 billion in 2050. The greenhouse emission would reduce by 44% along with significant reduction in congestion and pollution. Thus contributing health and economic benefits to the society

Circular Economy System (Source: Iceclog)

Unlike our current linear economy of “take-make-dispose” which produces tons of waste, the circular economy is designed to maximize the value of products in order to eliminate waste and reduce pollution. Through promoting sustainability at all levels of the production process, the circular economy delivers economic, social, and environmental benefits.

Circular Economy’s Economic, Social & Environmental Benefits

Economic Benefits: By boosting economic growth, the circular economy promotes innovation, reduces material costs, and increases jobs in the renewable energy and recycling sectors.

Social Benefits: From reducing unemployment to increasing “resource productivity and resilience”, the circular economy satisfies consumer demand for more sustainable & long-lasting products.

Environmental Benefits: By closing the loop, the circular economy reduces pollution generated at all levels of the manufacturing/transportation process through improving waste management systems and reducing exploitation of natural resources from degenerative processes such as reducing, reusing, and recycling waste.

Benefits of the Circular Economy (UNCTAD)

Earth5R’s Circular Economy focussed Sustainable Community Program

Earth5R volunteers conducted the Circular Economy focused Sustainable Community Program at Jawahar Nagar, Mumbai (Earth5R)

Holding these economic, social, and environmental benefits in mind, the Earth5R team presented the Circular Economy focused Sustainable Community Program to residents of Mumbai, India in order to encourage a more sustainable lifestyle at the individual level within the community.

Through the one-month action plan, Earth5R volunteers engage local slum residents in proper waste management (segregating biomedical, biodegradable, and recyclable waste), the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle), composting, and upcycling.

Waste Segregation & Management Training in Jawahar Nagar, Mumbai

On March 15th, 2021 the Earth5R’s volunteers delivered the Circular Economy Program to residents in Jawahar Nagar, Mumbai. With the participation of over 30 families, the Earth5R team presented to an eager audience ready to enact change at the local level.

Here, an Earth5R volunteer demonstrates the benefits of composting by exhibiting a bag continuing biofertilizer, a substance created from compost to enrich gardens (Earth5R)

An Earth5R volunteer holds up a plastic bottle to depict the lasting consequences of plastic waste in order to encourage residents to pursue a more sustainable lifestyle by performing the 3Rs: reducing, reusing, and recycling (Earth5R)

Earth5R team educates residents on the significance of waste segregation for a sustainable future in the community (Earth5R)

Utilizing pictorial aspects, the Earth5R team actively encouraged residents to participate in proper waste management through physical demonstrations and meaningful conversations regarding the importance of sustainability.

Women Empowerment for Entrepreneurship in the Local Community

Earth5R volunteers actively promote entrepreneurship in the communities by empowering women to contribute income to the local economy. Women in the community were educated on the process of upcycling: producing usable products from discarded plastics, cloth, and newspaper to sell on the market. Hence, the Earth5R team boosts the local economy while simultaneously empowering women to be financially independent.

Earth5R team introduces eco-friendly actions to encourage residents to pursue sustainability at an individual and community level (Earth5R)

Earth5R team empowers women by educating them about the process of upcycling: reusing discarded cloth and other materials to create economically profitable goods (Earth5R)

An Earth5R volunteer depicts the significance of segregation of biomedical, biodegradable, and plastic waste in creating a proper waste management system in the community (Earth5R)

In total, a community income of ₹22,99,500 was generated from selling recyclable waste, and ₹4,52,87,375 value in Circular Economy was created under the Sustainable Community Program.

With massive effects on every level of society, the Sustainable Community Program engaged all members of the community to unite under a common purpose of pursuing a more sustainable lifestyle for the health of the planet.

ABOUT EARTH5R

Earth5R is an environmental organization from India with its head office in Mumbai. It works with the NGO sector, Companies and helps them conduct environmental Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs across India.

Earth5R specializes in circular economy-based projects. Earth5R also offers short-term and long-term environmental courses and fellowships.

–Reported by Claire Hsu, edited by Om Nair