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Student voice: the importance of a circular economy, by Rossella

2 min read
AUTHOR: Grace Williams
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A circular economy is an alternative to a traditional linear economy (make, use, dispose) in which we keep resources in use for as long as possible, extract the maximum value from them whilst in use, then recover and regenerate products and materials at the end of each service life. [source: wrap.org.uk]

Hear from our ambassador Rossella from Italy, who studies MSc Food Science and Technology and aspires to be a New Product Developer! She believes that “large corporations, especially in their NPD, should search for sustainable ingredients and processes in order to be the drivers of the transition from the ‘linear’ to ‘circular’ approach”. 

I completed my MSc thesis in November last year, graduating in Food Science and Technology. I’m strongly passionate about sustainability and I aspire to a career in NPD: I think there’s a strong bond between them so I am looking forward to Food Matters Careers upcoming NPD event.

If I think about sustainability, I automatically think about the circular approach, but what does the circular approach mean?

The circular approach aims to extend the life cycle of products by reusing and recycling them, or their production waste. This model is completely different from the linear approach, which is based on the flux “make-use-throw” that has been adopted by large companies, who prefer destroying/burning their waste rather than recycling/reusing it. As a consequence, the planet is in danger: lots of industrial waste is burned or destroyed, increasing the level of pollution.

The circular approach adds value to the waste, which usually benefits the company that follows it: for example, they can use the waste to create clean energy or, if the waste is edible, then it could be used for animal feed! Big companies, especially in their NPD, should search for sustainable ingredients and processes, in order to be the drivers of the transition from the “linear” to the “circular” approach. I believe in this and I strongly want to be part of this change in the near future! 

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