Beyond Recycling - The Many Meanings of the Circular Economy

Beyond Recycling - The Many Meanings of the Circular Economy

From Plastisphere: A podcast on plastic pollution in the environment by Anja Krieger

November 19, 2025 · 19 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the circular economy and its various meanings beyond just recycling, featuring a conversation with Arturo Castillo.

When we speak about plastic pollution, a central idea to solve it is that of the circular economy. And when this idea of circularity is mentioned, recycling is often the first thing that comes to mind. But recycling is just one of the elements in the toolbox towards a circular society, and not necessarily the most preferable one. A few months ago, I had the chance to chat about this with Arturo Castillo, an assistant professor in circular economy and circular society at Utrecht University. Arturo is a member of the Scientists Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, and during the negotiations in Geneva, he took me on a journey through the many meanings of the circular economy.

People in this episode

Host: Anja Krieger

Guest: Arturo Castillo

Topics covered

  • circular economy
  • plastic pollution
  • recycling
  • sustainability
  • environmental science

Keywords

  • circular economy
  • plastic pollution
  • recycling
  • sustainability
  • environment
  • Utrecht University
  • Scientists Coalition

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Utrecht University, Scientists Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty

Places: Geneva

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