Circular Economy: Prospects and Opportunities for Green Growth in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The world is in abysmal crisis of macro-economic instabilities and ecological degradation due to rapid increases in waste and pollution generation. A clarion call has been made on the need to balance the economy and ecology by shifting towards an economic system that result in enhanced human welfare, social justice and equity while reducing environmental risks and ecological imbalances; that is towards green growth. Despite the several benefits that plastics offer, the pervasiveness of plastic waste and its negative effects on the ecosystem and human health has spurred the need to rethink and revisit its production, consumption and disposal patterns. Arguably, urban spaces overwhelmingly exhibit linear flows of plastic products and represent significant hotspots of unsustainable plastic consumption and waste discharge. Using a mixed research method approach and a descriptive research design, this study carried out a survey in Glen View suburb of Harare, one of Zimbabwe’s most populous urban areas in exploration of the prospects and opportunities for a circular economy to achieve green growth. The study employed a cluster-random sampling method and purposively selected Glen View Ward 30, then used convenience sampling for a sample frame population of 48 Households to obtain data from residents therein. The study used questionnaires, key informant interviews as well as observations as data collection tools, and employed both qualitative and quantitative data analysis techniques to draw inferences from the data regarding the variables in the study area. The findings of the study were that a circular economy is a viable and sustainable alternative to the current linear economy of the ‘produce-consume-dispose’ approach given its potential to address both environmental and socio-economic concerns. The research also established that the transition to a circular economy requires a multi-stakeholder approach followed by policy instruments to make sure that on a systems level, achieving green growth becomes a public and private sector priority. Breaking out of old models and letting go of time tested approaches is challenging but the findings of the study showed that the benefits from making the transition to a circular economy outweigh the effort and the risk. The study’s recommendations included the provision of regulatory and fiscal incentives that stimulate a circular thinking; the standardisation and implementation of compostable and biodegradable materials as well as the establishment of clear communication and guidance for citizens and businesses to facilitate the attainment of green growth using a circular economy.