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Circular cities: creating local loops to generate local value

The circular economy redefines our traditional economic model - based on the linear "extract - produce - consume - throw" system - which has now reached its limits. By saving its resources, a circular city promotes growth, creates jobs, secures its supplies and reduces its carbon emissions. In local loops, it encourages local actors to recycle and extend the duration of use of materials. It sets up functional savings by sharing infrastructure and services.

Generating growth, creating jobs and saving resources

The circular economy is an effective solution for preserving and renewing water, energy and material resources at local level.
Replenishing these resources means, for example, recycling materials (plastic, paper, glass, precious metals), developing renewable and recovered energy sources (biomass, biogas, fatal energy) and transforming waste into compost or energy. Preserving resources means, for example, reducing consumption and developing energy efficiency and systemic approaches (functional economy, industrial ecology, eco-design).
As a development model and engine for growth, the circular economy is a route to job creation at a local level. In this respect the European Commission estimates that 2.8 million jobs could be created in Europe over the next few years.
It also guarantees the supply security of certain raw materials produced only in politically high-risk areas. As is the case, for example, for the rare earths Veolia recovers from motherboards at its pilot plant in Rödental, Germany.

Encouraging collaboration within local areas

The circular economy is also a collaborative economy. Consequently Veolia optimizes flow management on a local basis. For example in Durban, South Africa, where water resources are scarce, the inhabitants’ wastewater is purified and used to meet the water needs of local industry. This solution benefits everyone: the city is able to pursue its economic development while avoiding conflicts of water use between its inhabitants and its industry, industry pays less for the treated wastewater and finally, some of the profits are used to finance access to water for disadvantaged people. A win-win-win partnership

Veolia sets up operational solutions and new business models that encourage the development of local circular economies. This approach is at the heart of its strategic ambition and its vision of "Resourcing the world".

Circular cities: creating local loops to generate local value
Circular cities: creating local loops to generate local value 3
Circular cities: creating local loops to generate local value
In Southwark, the global waste management plant gives us both a high recycling rate and good quality materials.
DEBORAH COLLINS
STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL AND RECREATION DIRECTOR FOR THE LONDON BOROUGH OF SOUTHWARK

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