There’s never been a more critical time for leaders to reject old definitions, and lean towards implementation of disruptive technologies that help the bottom line whilst also meeting broader sustainability targets. Post pandemic business recovery is no easy feat, let alone stimulating growth that propels businesses to new heights. So, whilst the definition of waste has previously discarded the value left in materials beyond their initial lifespan, we must now utilise the value in all material assets and look beyond the commercially outlined lifespan to pave the way for the redistribution of resources. Ultimately our approach to manufacturing new products and materials must begin to change with this movement, and it’s through innovation and disruptive technologies that we can begin this transition.

Firstly, when something is no longer needed, why is it simply thrown away? And secondly, if the very definition of waste refers to acting carelessly and unnecessary, then we really need to change how we approach the subject.Īs the importance of reuse starts gaining momentum both in the media and business agendas, the need to preserve resources and minimise careless and unnecessary waste has never been greater. But more poignantly, the act of ‘wasting’ something is defined as: “The act of using something in a careless or unnecessary way, causing it to be lost or destroyed”. The dictionary definition is: “Materials that are no longer needed and are thrown away”.

But what do we currently define waste as? And why is it problematic at its core? Operating with the possibility of producing ‘waste’ is irresponsible and industries need to learn to manage the global raw materials and rare earth minerals we have before the supplies soon dry up. As the leaders of the world commit to the “Build Back Better Agenda” following COP26, there remains a distinct lack of discussion around natural resource protection – which provides the backbone to the very meaning of the word sustainability. The global material footprint rose from 54 billion tonnes in 2000, to 92 billion in 2017, an increase of 70% (UN Stats, 2019). Since the turn of the millennium, the world has been using its natural resources at an alarmingly fast rate.

Docking goldmine process monitor