Our current economy is based on the ‘Take-Make- Dispose’ model. It is an extractive industrial model also called linear economy. It has increasingly become clear that the linear economy is no longer tenable within the limits of our planet. The linear economy has put pressure on resources, energy and materials. It has also increased pollution and unleashed toxicity on earth through increased ‘Making-Taking- Disposing’ of products and materials, leading to irreversible environmental issues.
Elon Musk has said “The future of humanity is going to bifurcate in two directions: Either it’s going to become multi-planetary, or it’s going to remain confined to one planet and eventually there’s going to be an extinction event.”
A circular economy is an alternative 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.
In the Circular Economy, materials, components and goods have more than one useful life and are re-used, repaired, reconditioned, re-manufactured and ultimately cycled at different levels in the economy. It is also called closed loop economy.
World over the industries, specifically, chemical suppliers, material suppliers, textile and leather product processors and finishers, brands and value chains and Testing and certification bodies aim towards “Cleaner production “. They intend to use “Cleaner Inputs”, so as to meet requirements of Eco labeling & Discharge standards which includes ZDHC (Zero discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) for chemical formulation and Waste water, GOTS (Global organic Textile Standards) , REACH regulations, OEKO-TEX , California Proposition 65 etc.
It is true that the shift to circular economy in the chemical industry will not happen overnight but will require hours of attention of business leaders, technical guidance, funds support and regulatory changes. Chemical companies can take a gradual, incremental and project based approach to adopt circular economy.
With great pride we inform that “Testtex India Laboratories private limited” is recognised and accepted as an indicator of “Level 1 ZDHC MRSL Conformance” specifically in connection with the ZDHC Gateway –chemical Module” by ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals).