Workshop on the Circular Economy through Digital Solutions

A CE decouples growth from resource consumption by keeping materials in use, reducing waste, and regenerating natural systems. The World Economic Forum predicts significant challenges from the current linear economic model over the next 20 years. However, digital technologies like IoT sensors, blockchains, AI/ML, high-performance computing, additive manufacturing, and big data analytics have enabled innovative methods to maximize CE potential, as seen in projects like Plastics Recovery Insights Steering Model (PRISM) by the Alliance to End Plastic Waste and Kabadiwalla Connect in India. While digitalization offers opportunities for resource efficiency, challenges include high initial costs, data security concerns, and digital waste risks. Success requires collaboration among policymakers, businesses, and communities to ensure equitable digital infrastructure access, develop regulations, and integrate CE principles into digital transformation strategies.

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