A CIRCULAR ECONOMY VERSUS A LINEAR ECONOMY

A CIRCULAR ECONOMY VERSUS A LINEAR ECONOMY

HOW can we transition from a circular economy towards a linear economy? Wait a minute—shouldn’t it be the other way around? Exactly. I asked the question that way on purpose, because that is how most people are still living their lives—inside a linear economy—without realizing that the real challenge is to move out of it and into a circular one.

So, what is a linear economy? I ask that because I want to better understand what a circular economy is. In simple terms, the two are exact opposites. The linear economy follows a very straightforward flow: take, make, use, dispose. You extract resources, manufacture products, consume them, and then throw them away. End of story.

It sounds simple and efficient—but only in the short term. The linear model is resource-intensive, waste-generating, and unsustainable. It thrives on producing more, even if that means exhausting finite resources and filling landfills with garbage. Clearly, this model is no longer viable if our goal is long-term sustainability.

By contrast, the circular economy is regenerative. Instead of a dead-end disposal, it keeps materials in the loop—reuse, repair, recycle, redesign. Waste is minimized, resources are conserved, and products are built for durability. Sustainability is built into the system itself.

The real question now is: how do we get there? Should we change our laws? Should we even go higher and amend our Constitution? Perhaps not immediately. But very clearly, we need to change the way we do business.

The most practical place to start is with packaging. One-way packaging is the trademark of a linear economy: plastics and sachets used once and then discarded. A circular economy, on the other hand, designs packaging to be reused, refilled, or recycled. That small shift alone would drastically reduce waste in our cities.

Should laws be changed? Yes, all the way down to the local level. Quezon City has already banned one-way plastics. More cities should follow suit. But laws on paper are not enough. Implementation and innovation must go hand in hand.

Here’s where agencies like DEVDEP come in. They should review local laws and recommend how circular practices can be embedded across industries. DepEd, CHED, and TESDA should integrate circular economy concepts into their curricula—so that young people grow up with sustainability as second nature.

Congress, for its part, can pass laws requiring two-way packaging, perhaps backed by deposit-refund systems. Imagine buying a soda in a glass bottle and getting a refund when you return it, as was common in the past. That is a simple circular model we have already tried before—and abandoned too quickly in favor of plastic convenience.

Local governments should also embrace innovative solutions. Spurway Enterprises, for example, is introducing Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs)—machines that accept empty bottles or cans and give consumers a reward, such as the models distributed by Spurway Enterprises. Such initiatives not only reduce waste but also create a culture of accountability.

The government, too, can reinforce positive behavior by giving awards to companies that adopt circular packaging. Recognition, after all, is a powerful motivator in business.

But let us not leave it all to government. Communities and industries must move together. Consider the textile industry. In a linear model, fast fashion clothes are worn briefly and then dumped in landfills. In a circular model, textile scraps can be reclaimed by artisans, rewoven into new products, and sold in local markets—creating income while reducing waste.

This is where barangay-level initiatives come in. Imagine artisans reusing discarded glass, ceramics, and textiles. Imagine NGOs and schools teaching children not only how to sort waste but also how to transform it into useful products. Imagine LGUs providing space for micro-facilities where recycling and upcycling can happen. That is community-based circular economy in action.

To be clear: transitioning to a circular economy is not just about waste management. It is about rethinking the entire system. It is about moving from volume-based growth to value-based sustainability. It is about designing for longevity, not obsolescence. It is about turning consumers into co-creators of value.

The truth is, we are still stuck in the linear mindset. But the longer we wait, the more waste piles up, the more resources run dry, and the more vulnerable our economy becomes to shocks. The circular economy is not just a nice idea. It is a necessity.

So, my question remains: how do we start? Perhaps by changing our mindset, then our business practices, then our local ordinances, and eventually, our national policies. Sustainability should no longer be an option. It should be the rule of the game.

Ramon Ike V. Seneres, www.facebook.com/ike.seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, senseneres.blogspot.com

10-27-2025