Circular Economy: Progress & Development Indicator & Waste Recycling Benefits - Essay Sample

Introduction

Obtaining a circular economy's one of the indicators of progress and development in a country. A circular economy refers to an efficient way through which waste from industry products can be recycled and turned in to good and productive use. In most cases, poor waste disposal that is common in most countries, especially the developing countries—in this case, having a flow-on how waste products are recycled in the economy. The main intention is to ensure that there is the creation of employment and improvement of GDP of the country. Besides, this is likely to improve the state of the environment in the country.

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The use of reusable bottles is one of the most effective strategies for adopting a circular economy. First, reusable bottles can save more energy compared to plastic bottles. Therefore, adopting the use of reusable containers, such as aluminium bottles, is a significant step towards the conservation of the environment and attainment of a circular economy as well. Importantly, awareness campaigns should be implemented to encourage organizations to abandon the use of plastic bottles and adopt reusable bottles. Second, the process of manufacturing plastic bottles is tedious and consumes a lot of energy (Brown, 2011). According to Charles Fishman, the energy that is wasted in manufacturing plastic bottles is enough to provide power to over 100,000 homes. Besides, the most typical form of energy used in the manufacture of plastic bottles is oil. The machinery used in the production of plastic bottles consumes significant amounts of energy that could otherwise have been conserved (Takata, 2012). As indicated earlier, plastic bottles are also non-biodegradable, and thus, impossible to dispose of entirely. The use of reusable water bottles is a practical and efficient initiative towards conserving the environment.

Identification of the Problem

Poor disposal of waste product in Japan is becoming of great concern. Having a successful plan that will ensure that plastic bottles and other reusable materials are recycled (Asari et al., 2013). The continued use of plastic bottles has contributed to significant levels of pollution in the environment and high losses of income and employment.

Plastic bottles are non-biodegradable and likely to cause severe levels of pollution in the environment. According to world statistics on environmental conservation, only 14% of the world's plastic bottles can be recycled. The statistics are unfavourable when compared to the number of plastic bottles that are used each year. The main challenge for the companies’ management is discouraging its customers from using plastic bottled water. Although most of the clients are aware of the negative effects of plastic bottles on the environment, they prefer using plastic bottled water since it is cheap and readily available. Globally, plastics are the most pervasive types of containers for the storage of water and other liquids. The above might be the reasons why most customers at most companies prefer to use plastic over another packaging.

The use of plastic containers to store water poses a challenge to not only the environment but also the individuals consuming the water. The company has expressed concerns over the recycling of plastic bottles. For instance, recycled plastic bottles are prone to contamination due to the mixing of different chemical substances during manufacture. The use of plastic bottled water at the organization requires critical analysis and implementation of corrective measures due to the environmental impact of the practice. The company has urged its clients to replace the use of plastic water bottles with recyclable water containers such as aluminium and steel.

Possible Causes of the Problem

The use of plastic bottled water in Japan has become a significant concern for the country. Noteworthy, the management of the company has struggled with the issue of plastic bottle use for a relatively long time. Considering that Japan is among the best economies around the world, has been at the forefront in the implementation of environmental sustainability efforts. The primary reason why most customers at companies operating in the Japan market prefer to take plastic bottled water is because of its convenience (Cheng, & Thompson, 2016). There is also a misconception by some of the company's clients that plastic bottled water tastes better compared to tap water. The mistake is deeply ingrained in the mind of most clients. Therefore, they have found it challenging to convince clients to use reusable water bottles. Although there have been massive campaigns about the health and environmental effects of using plastic bottled water, most clients do not take into account the insight. Besides, the use of plastic bottled water at the organization continues to rise each day. The demand for plastic bottled water in the market has also increased significantly due to the allure from companies that advertise plastic bottled water in ways that make it irresistible. In the United States, for instance, companies use appealing brands on plastic water bottles that make them attractive. It might be one of the reasons why most clients who visit these companies prefer carrying bottled plastic water as opposed to storing tap water in reusable containers.

The problem of using plastic bottled water is engulfed in controversy. At most companies, most of the clients who were interviewed agreed that they prefer to carry plastic bottled water due to its convenience. According to the customers, plastic bottles are easy to carry when compared to recyclable water bottles. In addition, most clients felt that plastic water bottles could be easily disposed of once the water was finished. Consequently, companies have implemented concerted efforts to inform their clients about the need to use reusable water bottles. For instance, the company has taken a step of restricting clients who come to the gym with plastic bottled water as a measure of controlling the use of plastics. However, the decision made a significant number of clients to move to other fitness facilities. With the busy schedules that most clients have, it is time-consuming to carry water in reusable containers. Most clients prefer to hold water that is already packed for convenience purposes.

Possible Solutions/Analysis of the Solutions

The complete banning of plastic water bottles can be a demanding task. It is equally challenging to make people understand the need to switch to reusable water bottles. Although most institutions all over the world are working towards achieving a green economy, ignorance and lack of environmental education have hindered the valuable initiative. Most parts of the contemporary world have started experiencing the devastating effects of global warming due to pollution. The ecological degradation being witnessed across different parts of the world is attributed to human undertakings. The solution to the plastic bottle menace entails switching to the use of reusable water bottles. Most clients in Japan industry market prefer to use plastic bottled water for various reasons. However, data gathered at the organization indicates that the problem is caused by the client's perceptions regarding the convenience attached to plastic bottled water. The solution to the continued use of plastic bottled water at Japan can be addressed by first creating awareness among the clients on the importance of using reusable water bottles to achieve green initiative policies (Brown, 2012). The company's management could start by providing insights to clients regarding the adverse effects that plastic bottles pose to the environment. For instance, people can be informed that plastics are non-biodegradable and can cause pollution of the surroundings.

Although most clients who visit the company facilities might be conscious of the adverse effects of plastic bottles on the environment, they are ignorant about the consequences of continued pollution. Therefore, the entity could collaborate with the relevant authorities to initiate an anti-plastic campaign. The strategy is likely to cause massive losses in companies that manufacture plastic bottled water. Manufacturers should be involved in the initiative on the urgent need to revert to the use of reusable water bottles (Edo et al., 2016). The anti-plastic campaign, in this case, should apply to both consumers and manufacturers, with the latter stakeholder being encouraged to produce reusable water materials from materials such as aluminium. The government can promote the initiative by availing resources to finance the campaign. Various jurisdictions in the United States, for instance, have passed environmental laws that regulate the production, use, and disposal of plastic bottles as a means of controlling pollution. The strategy by lawmakers is essential for achieving green initiatives.

Reusable waste and water bottles are a practical way of reducing the use of plastic bottles in packaging water. In addition, reusable water containers can be more productive and convenient than plastic bottles due to their sustainability. First, they are economical since you only need to make a single purchase. All that someone needs are to refill the container with water occasionally. While most clients claimed that they preferred bottled water since it was purified, the same can be done to tap water (Kawamoto, & Kim, 2016). For example, clients can use a filter to remove the impurities that might be present in tap water, thus making it safe and convenient to use. Therefore, the use of reusable water bottles is a sustainable approach for conserving the environment since fewer units of both options are produced. It is essential to note that the use of plastic containers cannot be terminated instantly but requires a long-term plan.

Nonetheless, the circulation of plastic water bottles in the environment can be regulated through proper disposal methods. For instance, plastic bottles can be collected, sorted, and recycled. The plastic can be used to make electric poles for the energy sector.

The use of visual aids can assist in convincing clients to start using reusable water containers. The companies could use the AIDA (attention, interest, desire, and action) approach as a way of informing its clients about the importance of carrying reusable water bottles to the gym (Onan, 2015). The AIDA concept uses the attention, interest, desire, and action to create awareness about a particular idea, which in this case is the use of reusable water bottles. Japan companies can also install tapped water at specific filling points. The company can also write individual descriptions that urge people to carry their reusable water containers and fill them at the designated points. The use of statements that discourage customers from taking bottled water to the gym might create a desire for the clients to start carrying reusable containers (Reddy, 2011). The gym can also ensure a reliable source of water within its facility for purposes of convenience. Through this strategy, clients at companies could reconsider their preference for bottled water and start taking tap water using reusable containers. Besides, the company fitness can inform customers about chemicals that are used in preserving plastic bottled water as a way of changing their mindsets about tap water.

The use of reusable water bottles is likely to lower the demand for bottled plastic water. More people might develop a desire to drink tap water from their reusable containers. The industry is one of the most extensive gym facilities in Japan, with several branches in different states; therefore, the entity can h...