Prosperity
Status Indicator: In Progress | On Hold | Complete/Ongoing
Initiative: 5.32 Explore strategies to establish a circular economy
Thriving & Vibrant Environment
Description
A circular economy is a cooperative model that continuously turns waste into resources by locally recirculating materials for reuse and remanufacture. Establishing a circular economy in Durham will help protect the environment, reduce natural resource dependence, create jobs, and save money.
Key Measures & Data Analysis
Number of Repurpose/Reuse Partners: the number of organizations engaged in reuse/repurpose work collaborating with Solid Waste Management. Includes but is not limited to non-profit, community-based organizations, educational institutions, and for-profit businesses.
By collaborating and partnering, SWM can build on the reuse work of these organizations, leverage and share resources, and identify mutually reinforcing activities. Through these partnerships, SWM can create impact and obtain benefits for Durham's frontline communities such as workforce development and training, and access to low or no-cost products and materials.
Number of repurpose/reuse partners
Why is it important?
In practice, a circular economy diverts waste from the landfill by diverting usable materials and conserving valuable land. When a material is no longer useful for its original purpose, it can be kept within the economy via recycling, repurpose, reuse, and repair when properly diverted, where markets and a skilled workforce exist. Products and materials can be productively used again and again. This would help the City reduce its environmental impacts, such as energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Like energy efficiency efforts, establishing a circular economy will help the City be less reliant on scarce resources such as fossil fuels. Finally, in the long-term, a circular economy promotes sustainable consumption and production practices which benefit both the City and residents.
What have we been doing?
We have done situational analysis that includes stakeholder engagement, data analysis, and initial planning for implementation and design phases. We have conducted extensive stakeholder analysis through snowball sampling and qualitative interviews, we connected with many individuals, organizations, and community groups relevant to the eco-park project.
What's next?
The next steps include additional data analyses, the publication of the Durham Reuse Sector directory, Stakeholder visioning, and the production of the implementation and communication plans.
City Website Home Page: Durham, NC | Official Website (durhamnc.gov)
Budget Website Page: Budget & Management Services Department | Durham, NC (durhamnc.gov)
Budget and Management Services Department
Office of Performance and Innovation
Strategy and Performance Division