Dive Brief:
- WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) released a new report, titled "Economic Growth Potential of More Circular Economies," that shows how expansion of the circular economy could create 3 million extra jobs and reduce unemployment by 520,000 across European Union member states by 2030.
- The study — which builds on another WRAP report published earlier this year — is the first that details the employment potential for each individual member state.
- There are 3.4 million people in Europe employed in circular economy jobs such as repair, waste and recycling, and rental and leasing sectors, according to WRAP.
Dive Insight:
"Providing the bigger picture for the jobs potential from the circular economy for each individual Member State makes the case for the EU to adopt an ambitious circular economy package even stronger," said WRAP CEO Liz Goodwin in a press release. "This added layer of detail is the missing piece of the jigsaw that shows how the circular economy supports the themes of the Commission’s wider plan for job creation and growth. It’s clear that many countries could see considerable benefits which could improve the jobs market, the economy, as well as the environment."
The creation of a circular economy is also a focus of waste companies in the United States. In July, the city of Phoenix created a $13 million Reimagine Phoenix initiative in partnership with Arizona State University as a way to build a circular economy.
Director of Phoenix Public Works John Trujillo said, "Instead of sending our garbage to the landfill and our recycling to China, we want to create our own economy right here. Why not ship it next door to the campus and create a product?"
