South China Morning Post. The View by Sophie Zinser, Published: 10:00pm, 13 Jan, 2021
Embracing a circular economy is a lucrative opportunity to design out waste and pollution, keep materials in use and regenerate natural systems. If done correctly, it can combat forced labour by professionalising a mostly informal workforce
Before the violent attacks at the US Capitol this week, President Donald Trump had issued an executive order on the last day of 2020 declaring January 2021 National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month in the United States.
Embracing a circular economy approach is a multi-trillion-dollar opportunity to design out waste and pollution, keep materials in use and regenerate natural systems. If done correctly, a circular economy can combat forced labour through professionalising a largely informal workforce – a valuable step towards eradicating modern slavery once and for all.
In reality, even small steps towards building a circular economy can create positive impacts across multiple sectors. Job growth, revenue spikes and alleviating environmental disaster risks can all be side effects of successful circular economy approaches.