Circular Economy: Materials Scarcity, European Union Policy and Foundations of a Circular Economy

Abstract

Humanity faces not only an oil scarcity followed by the scarcity of all other fossil fuels, but also of many materials. In both cases the problem is aggravated by the fact that extraction has a peak. But the study of minerals is more complex than the case of fossil fuels, as we are using many materials, which we frequently use mix them, and information is by far less abundant. It is impossible to build a circular economy in a globalised world, which is why we must strengthen decentralised economies. But we also need to reduce the number of materials which are used. Thus, to reach a circular economy, economic structures have to be simplified. Other requirements are: minimising the use of critical materials; substituting scarce resources for more abundant ones; reducing recycling speed, by making more durable products; banning most hybrid materials, because they are not recyclable; substituting abiotic materials for biotic ones, but without being an obstacle for producing enough food.