In the wake of pandemic lockdowns and growing climate risks, citizens have become more proactive about finding ways to reduce waste and reuse existing products. In fact, the term “circular economy” hit an all-time high in U.S. Google searches this year, reaching over 32,000 searches in April 2023 compared to only 16,000 searches in April 2022.

What Is a Circular Economy?

A circular economy utilizes industrial and economic processes to keep materials, products, and services in circulation for as long as possible. It pivots from the “take-make-dispose” extractive industrial model, focusing on reducing, optimizing, and reusing resources.

For example, one of the key practices of a circular economy involves processing certain types of waste to generate bioenergy. This provides a renewable energy source while reducing the environmental impact of waste. 

Currently, renewable energy statistics show that only 21.5% of all energy produced in the United States is from renewable sources. As states like California continue to build strong circular economies, the country’s utilization of renewable energy will grow.

The circular economic model also emphasizes minimizing resource use and waste generation. This involves designing products for longevity and implementing resource recovery and regeneration practices at the end of each service life. 

What Is Sustainable Waste Management?

One of the central components of a circular economy is a sustainable waste management program. Sustainable waste management aims to keep materials in use for as long as possible and minimize the amount of solid waste disposed of in landfills or through incineration.

This systemic approach relies on the waste management hierarchy, which focuses on avoidance, reduction, reuse, recycling, energy recovery, and treatment or disposal. Broadly, sustainable waste management tackles the take-make-dispose model and offers more direct solutions to the many problems waste causes.

Following proper waste management practices reduces the amount of usable resources sent to landfills and incinerators, lengthening the lifecycle of goods and materials.

Why Sustainable Waste Management Is Crucial in California’s Circular Economy

Home to 39.5 million people and the world’s fifth largest economy, there is no state in greater need of an effective sustainable waste management strategy than California. 

According to California’s 2021 Disposal Facility-Based Waste Characterization study, the state threw out nearly 40 million tons of trash. That is the equivalent of around 272 large trash bags per person annually. 

The study also found that packaging alone makes up 27% of California’s waste, and 7.27 billion meals worth of food waste ends up in landfills. These numbers are a call for action, highlighting the need for effective waste management.

California Policies in Action

California lawmakers are eager to tackle their state’s waste management problems. Countless cities have implemented robust zero waste plans, building California’s circular economy one local program at a time. 

For instance, the Los Angeles County Zero Waste Plan has been making great strides, achieving a waste diversion rate of 65%. The numerous sustainable waste management initiatives have made this possible. One example is the Scrape Your Plate Program, which has collected over 42,000 pounds of food waste and converted it into energy and renewable fuel. 

The University of California (UC) system also joined in, implementing the Sustainable Practice Policy. The progress has been nothing but impressive, with 55% of UC electricity coming from renewable or carbon-free sources, a 40% reduction in GHG emissions, and a 70% municipal solid, construction, and demolition waste diversion rate.

On a statewide level, many laws have been implemented over the past few years to support and improve California’s circular economy. 

On June 30, 2022, Governor Newsom signed SB 54, one of California’s most significant plastics and packaging recycling policies. It requires all packaging in the state to be recyclable or compostable, 25% of plastic packaging to be cut, and 65% of all single-use plastic packaging to be recycled by 2032.

Other notable laws include the following:

• SB 1383: Redirects 20% of edible food that would normally end up in landfills to those in need.

• SB 343: Aims to verify labeling in many plastic and packaging products. Over time, manufacturers aren’t allowed to use recycling symbols on items that aren’t recyclable.

• AB 881: Helps the state measure how much plastic is recycled.  

• AB 1201: Updates labeling for compostable products. The bill adds to the state’s existing rules for labeling items as compostable or biodegradable if they meet specific standards.

• AB 962: Allows brewers and beverage producers to create reusable glass bottle systems.

• AB 1276: Reduces plastic foodware waste by giving takeout customers only what they want. 

Creating a Better Environment and Economy Through Education

From state and local governments to businesses and ordinary residents, community outreach and education play important roles in improving waste management practices. Below are some notable examples highlighting California’s impressive strides in promoting environmental education.

A cornerstone of these efforts is the Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI). This program aims to instill environmental awareness from a young age by incorporating it into the K–12 curriculum. The bonus? For educators out there, this program meshes seamlessly with California Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards.

A revolutionary waste management initiative within the education system is San Francisco’s Food to Flowers! Lunchroom Composting program. This program trains students and staff on how to properly sort and compost trash. The compost is then given to schools with gardens or sold to local farmers and vineyards.

Branching out to the broader community, there’s the Center for EcoTechnology (CET). This organization provides knowledge, resources, and solutions that help people and businesses save energy and reduce food waste. 

On the topic of food waste, Second Harvest’s Grocery Rescue Program promotes recovering healthy food from retail and grocery stores in Silicon Valley that would otherwise go to waste. 

San Francisco’s Environmental Education Program is another invaluable resource. This initiative offers everything from interactive workshops to resource-rich training sessions, ensuring that everyone – business owner, teacher, or curious resident – has the tools to make greener choices.

In Conclusion

Here’s the opportunity: California is a prime example of the significant potential of sustainable waste management in promoting a more circular economy. The state produces a staggering amount of waste, with a major portion finding its way into landfills and incinerators. This not only harms the environment but also represents a missed opportunity to harness waste as a resource.

When waste is transformed into energy or reintroduced as a resource, it generates value, promotes innovation, and offers avenues for new job opportunities. In fact, data shows that the state could generate an additional $142 billion in economic revenue if it were a fully circular economy with sustainable waste management practices.

If California continues implementing and committing to policies and programs like SB 54, zero waste plans, and the EEI, this evaluation will become more feasible by the day.

Zach Norton is a passionate advocate for sustainable energy solutions and awareness. With a deep commitment to combating climate change and promoting a greener future, Zach has dedicated his career to advancing the understanding of clean energy technologies and strategies.