Reducing consumption is now an absolute necessity for the future of our environment. The circular economy is designed to reduce resource wastage and waste production, but also enables waste recovery, leading to the creation of secondary resources. All materials, regardless of how they have been processed, can be reused.
Recycling, a Challenge for the Circular Economy begins its analysis by raising awareness of the role of each of us in reducing the volume of individual waste. The book then outlines the strategies and challenges involved in recycling a wide range of materials, from minimally processed (wood, glass, building materials or polluted soil) to highly processed (electrical and electronic waste, batteries, magnets or plastics).
Aspects of resource availability are also discussed, as well as ways of addressing the dynamic cycle of materials in the context of ever-increasing demand.
Michel Cathelineau is Director of Research at the CNRS, France, and is heavily involved in the activities of the ICEEL Carnot Institute and the Strategic Metals in the 21st Century (Ressources21) laboratory of excellence.