BOX 2: The potential for environmental engineering to support
moves towards a circular economy
New environmental technologies are emerging to address the need for
reuse of resources and reduction in consumption to address SDG 12
(Sustainable Consumption & Production). Over 1 and half billion tonnes
of steel are produced each year. This process requires approximately 800
million tonnes of coal each year (Figure B2.1), with implications for
climate change, negatively impacting ocean health (Singh et al. 2019)
and human health (Knutson et al. 2013). ‘Green Steel’, provides one
example of environmental engineering that is currently gaining traction.
This process uses old tyres and rubbish (Figure B2.2) to replace coal in
the coking process, and the use of ‘flock’ stripped from old cars to
produce ceramics and high value carbons (Sahajwalla 2018). If
manufacturing sectors embrace such technological solutions, there is
potential to significant environmental gains whilst also supporting
human health and development.
Figure B2.1: Antelope Coal Mine in Wyoming; B2.2: Tyres used to replace
coal in steel making process. Image credits: Coal mine -”P1010319” by WildEarthGuardians and”Tyres” by JaredEarleare both licensed
under CC
BY-NC-ND 2.0 .