Biobased and circular society explained
A biobased and circular society is all about smartly reusing resources and replacing fossil materials with renewable alternatives. In doing so, our economy shifts from a throwaway model to a closed loop where nothing is lost. What does that actually mean? Why is this transition so important? And what challenges do we face on the path towards a fully circular future? Here, we explain.
3 questions about a biobased and circular society
What is a biobased and circular society?
Rather than the linear model of ‘take, make, dispose’, the circular economy focuses on retaining value. A biobased and circular society replaces fossil resources with renewable ones and seeks to close cycles as much as possible. This means keeping materials, nutrients and energy in use for as long as possible. In addition to wind and solar energy, we also use biomass, such as residual streams from food waste and plant materials.
Products are increasingly being designed with circularity in mind: they are repairable, easy to disassemble and built for reuse. Designers and researchers – including those from WUR and TU Delft – refer to this as design for reuse and design for repair. But circularity is not only about production methods or products; social and organisational change is equally important. Behavioural change, cooperation across supply chains and regional initiatives will determine whether we succeed in making the transition together.
Why is this transition important?
Today’s economy consumes more raw materials than the Earth can provide. This leads to depletion, waste and dependency on finite resources. As a result, the regenerative capacity of natural systems such as water and biodiversity is under pressure.
A biobased and circular approach offers a way out: less waste, fewer harmful substances, lower emissions and a sustainable flow of renewable materials. It helps us meet climate targets and reduce the environmental impact of production and consumption. The development of safe biobased plastics, biofuels and biochemicals makes it possible to replace fossil-based and harmful chemical products without compromising functionality.
Ultimately, a circular, biobased economy contributes to a world in which human consumption and production are balanced with the planet’s capacity to sustain them.
What are the main challenges in this transition?
Before we achieve the transition to a circular and biobased economy, we need to overcome a number of key obstacles:
- Fossil resources are running out, yet we still depend on them
- Non-degradable materials are damaging ecosystems
- Food, water and energy continue to be wasted worldwide
- Citizens, businesses and governments must learn to think and act circularly
- Circular and linear systems can conflict, for instance due to pricing or regulations
Addressing these challenges requires technological innovation, but also social renewal. That is why WUR researches how transition management, collaboration within production chains and regional implementation can drive systemic change.
Biobased and circular society
In a circular society, we close resource loops, use renewable materials and generate almost no waste.