Page 14 - Progress Report 3_oct\

WASTE AND THE CONCEPT OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY

The rapid development of industries and con- The Sultanate of Oman is experiencing urbaniza-
sumerism that accompany population growth is tion, industrialization and economic growth, which
posing challenges in maintaining a sustainable en- has resulted in excessive waste generation. As the
vironment. The legacy practices adopted by the adverse impacts of those on the environment and
country were unable to cope with the volumes of public health evolve, so do the efforts of combat-
waste generated by an increasing urban popula- ting them by determining appropriate waste man-
tion, causing a huge impact on the environment agement and treatment options in an attempt to
and public health. Waste, in general, negatively im- create effective, streamlined, and sustainable
pacts plants, animals, and surrounding lands. The waste management practices for the country.
littering of materials, such as plastic bags and bot-
tles is highly hazardous for animals as they mistake The Sultanate of Oman has developed a waste
it for food. Plastic bags found in oceans can lead management roadmap adopting a circular econo-
to the extinction of many species. Implementation my approach which puts emphasis on designing a
of inefficient systems to clear, clean, and maintain system that achieves the optimization of natural
the surrounding lands create unnecessary costs for resources ecosystems in contrast with the concept
governments. It could easily be avoided with more of linear economy (take, make, consume and dis-
sensible regulatory solutions laying the ground for pose) that takes advantage of abundant natural re-
sustainable waste management practices. sources and easy availability of materials.

Linear Economy

The concept of the linear economy is based on the fact that waste, as a result of the production process, is
discarded into the environment. The concept is based on the principle: ‘take, make, consume and dispose’
and it assumes abundance of natural resources and easy availability of material.

14 PROGRESS REPORT 2012-2018