Beyond Recycling - The Many Meanings of the Circular Economy

When we speak about plastic pollution, a central idea to solve it is that of the circular economy. And when this idea of circularity is mentioned, recycling is often the first thing that comes to mind. But recycling is just one of the elements in the toolbox towards a circular society, and not necessarily the most preferable one. A few months ago, I had the chance to chat about this with Arturo Castillo, an assistant professor in circular economy and circular society at Utrecht University. Arturo is a member of the Scientists Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, and during the negotiations in Geneva, he took me on a journey through the many meanings of the circular economy.