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Circular Economy

Circular economy is an economic model that aims to eliminate waste and maximise resource efficiency by keeping materials, products and components in use for as long as possible. Unlike the traditional linear economy, which follows a take-make-dispose pattern, the circular approach emphasises designing out waste, extending product lifespans through repair and refurbishment, and recovering materials at end of life for reuse or recycling. The model applies across all sectors, from manufacturing and construction to agriculture and energy, and is increasingly seen as essential to decoupling economic growth from resource consumption. Key strategies include product-as-a-service business models, industrial symbiosis where one company's waste becomes another's input, and design for disassembly to facilitate material recovery. Circular economy principles support climate goals by reducing emissions associated with virgin material extraction and processing, and they align with resource security objectives in regions facing supply constraints. Governments and industry bodies worldwide have adopted circular economy frameworks, with the European Union's Circular Economy Action Plan among the most comprehensive. In Africa, circular economy initiatives focus on waste valorisation, local manufacturing resilience and job creation in repair and remanufacturing sectors. The transition requires collaboration across value chains, policy support including extended producer responsibility schemes, and investment in collection and processing infrastructure. Circular economy thinking is central to sustainable industrial development and is increasingly integrated into corporate sustainability strategies and national policy frameworks.

Circular Economy News


Major gathering of minerals researchers.
More than 300 to focus on innovative minerals sector solutions, Mintek reports
21st September 2026 By: Martin Creamer

More than 300 emerging researchers, industry leaders, government, academia and other stakeholders are to gather this month and next to explore innovative solutions to challenges in the minerals... 


Mintek and NRF Partner to Drive Innovation Through Mintek SCi 2026
21st September 2026

Mintek, in partnership with the National Research Foundation (NRF), will host the third Mintek SCi – Science Convention for Innovators in Engineering, Science and Technology between 29 September... 


An image of Coaltech's event
Research support advances coal innovation
18th September 2026 By: Nadine Ramdass

As part of its effort to ensure the coal industry remains competitive and sustainable, coal research organisation Coaltech Research Association is progressing various projects, including Phase 2 of... 


Invitation & Pitch: WEEE Sector Infrastructure, Compliance & Data Needs at 5-Year EPR Mark
Invitation & Pitch: WEEE Sector Infrastructure, Compliance & Data Needs at 5-Year EPR Mark
16th September 2026

Ahead of the global celebration of International E-Waste Day on 14 October 2026, the E-Waste Recycling Authority NPC (ERA NPC) is pleased to announce its annual conference, the South Africa 2026... 


Metso mineral processing solution
Metso undertakes R&D pilot plant for Geological Survey of Finland
1st September 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Industrial machinery and engineering company Metso has signed an agreement with the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) covering the engineering and delivery of process technology for GTK Mintec’s... 


Propak West Africa Returns with Global Innovation, Practical Solutions and Industry Expertise
Propak West Africa Returns with Global Innovation, Practical Solutions and Industry Expertise
31st August 2026

As manufacturers across West Africa respond to growing demand for greater productivity, efficiency and sustainability, access to the latest technologies, expert knowledge and trusted industry... 


Propak Cape showcases the sustainability benefits of plastics packaging
Propak Cape showcases the sustainability benefits of plastics packaging
31st August 2026

The South African plastics recycling industry continues to make strides in creating a circular economy for plastics. Recent statistics from Plastics SA revealed that plastics recycling increased by... 


a dusk image of the Khwelamet manganese alloy smelter complex in Meyerton, Gauteng
Phased revival of manganese smelter under way
28th August 2026 By: Halima Frost

The phased revival of the Khwelamet manganese alloy smelter complex in Meyerton, Gauteng, started in January 2026, with the site rehabilitation and refurbishment preparatory work, says mining... 


Vale's Mutaca mine, in Brazil
Brazil's Vale studies extracting rare earths, gold from mining waste
27th August 2026 By: Reuters

Brazilian miner Vale is studying the possibility of extracting rare earths, gold and other minerals from mining waste as part of its circular economy strategy, a Vale executive said on Wednesday.... 


Recycled plastics take centre stage as SAPRO crowns its 2026 champions
26th August 2026

Cape Town's Silo District played host to the 12th annual SAPRO Awards for the Best Recycled Plastic Products on 21 August 2026, with MAK Plastics taking the night’s top honour as South Africa’s... 


An image of Samanjalo founder and CEO Prudence Simelane
UK-backed Mpumalanga SME unlocks funding to tackle pollution, unemployment through mineral-waste innovation
24th August 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Mpumalanga-based women-led small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) Samanjalo has unlocked international grants to scale its operations through support from the UK’s JET Deal Accelerator Programme.... 


Sustainability and ESG are not dead - They are making the hard move from reporting to decision making
Sustainability and ESG are not dead - They are making the hard move from reporting to decision making
24th August 2026

For the past few years, a question has circulated through boardrooms and media: are sustainability and ESG dead? Depending on who you ask, they are being abandoned, rebranded, politicised or... 


An image depicting green industrialisation
Green financing, mining must cohere better to drive sustainability
21st August 2026 By: Nadine Ramdass

With financial institutions increasingly becoming a key promoter of enhanced environmental performance in the mining sector, tertiary education institution University of Pretoria engineering and... 


ONE MAN'S TRASH
GeT Metal Group has completely replaced its monthly consumption of 120 000 ℓ of conventional heavy fuel oil with tyre-derived fuel oil at its facility
Waste-to-energy solution boosts operation’s sustainability credentials
21st August 2026

Metal recycling company GeT Metal Group and its subsidiary GeT Alloys have successfully eliminated virgin fossil fuels from their aluminium melting operations by launching a “pioneering... 


Plastic Bags Deserve A Second Life, Not A Ban
20th August 2026

Recent calls to ban plastic carrier bags or replace them with paper overlook an important reality: South Africa is less than five months away from a significant circular-economy milestone that will... 


Strengthening the Economics of Sustainability
Strengthening the Economics of Sustainability
20th August 2026 By: Yolande Botes

Sustainability is no longer a conversation happening on the sidelines of business. Across Africa, organisations are navigating a rapidly changing landscape where climate risk, resource... 


Metpac-SA Study Highlights Practical Path To Safer Aerosol Recycling In SA
17th August 2026

Aluminium and steel aerosol cans are fully recyclable, provided they are handled correctly and enter an appropriate recovery stream. New research by MetPac-SA, the country's Producer Responsibility... 


Image of a PermaFlex acoustic gym tile
Recycled truck tyre rubber flooring delivers acoustic benefits
14th August 2026

A 30 mm-thick interlocking tile manufactured using recycled rubber, is designed specifically for fitness gyms and is said to provide an impact sound reduction of up to 30 decibels. The Van Dyck... 


Nafasi Water Technologies, IDC turn mine-water waste into fertiliser inputs
14th August 2026 By: Natasha Odendaal

In a strategic venture with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Nafasi Technologies has commissioned the first module of its purpose-designed waste sludge processing facility at the... 


Strategy, e-waste collection unlocks recoverable resources
14th August 2026

To unlock the value embedded in electronic waste (e-waste), waste management specialist Oricol manages collection, compliance documentation and certified recovery, helping businesses meet... 


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