The universally accepted term for our current economic model is called the Linear Economy. There are many ways to describe it, and mostly it is accepted to be unsustainable — essentially taking out resources with no way to replenish the sources.

The power in a Linear Economy

The culture to extract resources, transport these resources fast distances, then add value from a centralised facility, distribute the products again over fast distances, consume it, and then discarding it after use is the Linear way of doing things. Topping off this system is the use of coal and oil to provide the energy needs for the various functions required. Overall a Linear Economy is very effective at supplying consumers with products that satisfy their needs. It also drives the economic processes that powers governments and companies.

When looking at the current Linear process that’s been evolving since the Industrial Revolution, humanity can be proud of the ways we have overcome various challenges to enable a globally linked economy. The achievements during this timeframe are remarkable. The system offers humans the opportunity to sell their time by working for money that can be utilised towards purchasing affordable products, and services in relation to their income. The system ensures the availability of energy, transport, food, medical care, water, accommodation, and many other essential goods and services. The Linear Economy counts on humans consuming more and more as to drive seemingly never-ending growth potential.

The problem with it

The problem is that the Linear Economy’s growth is based on the assumption that we have access to more than one earth’s resources. Currently, we need just about two earths and by 2050 we will need the resources of three earths to ensure that the required growth will take place. Growth is the fundamental Linear economic mechanism required for this thing to work.

Here and there humans have realised that we need to look after resources, however we have been spectacularly ineffective in recycling. You don’t have to search for examples about our failure with this concept, just look at the increasing size of our landfills and the amount of plastics in our oceans. The solutions to the problem are somewhere else, it has to address all economic activities, and shortcomings of the Linear Economy.

This is where the Circular Economy comes into play. 

This was the second of a ten-part series on what the Circular Economy is, and what we can do to become active in this space, whether as individuals, groups, and institutions. For further reading visit The African Circular Economy Network  and The Ellen Mcarthur Foundation.

This content has been created as part of our freelancer relief programme. We are supporting journalists and freelance writers impacted by the economic slowdown caused by #lockdownlife.

If you are a freelancer looking to contribute to The South African, read more here.

Ten liquor outlets in KwaZulu-Natal have been closed down by authorities for contravening the COVID-19 regulations governing the sale of alcoholic beverages.

In a statement released on Saturday 6 June, the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, said the 10 were among 747 licensed premises inspected over the past week.

Evidence pointing to regulation violations

“The ten liquor outlets have been shut down on the basis of enough evidence pointing out the violation of the COVID-19 regulations,” Dube-Ncube noted.

The MEC said the common areas of contravention included failure to close according to trading times, selling expired liquor, failure to screen employees, not sanitising patrons’ hands and failure to ensure social distancing between patrons.

According to Dube-Ncube, the sale of expired liquor and mixers is one of the common areas of contraventions that have been picked up by inspectors.

Liquor licences may be suspended for three months

“As indicated during the week, our entity – the KZN Liquor Authority – is empowered to recommend the suspension of the liquor license until the end of lockdown, or for three months,” the statement said.

“However, the attitude of traders is generally positive and cooperative towards the inspectors from our entity – the KZN Liquor Authority, SAPS and other law enforcement agencies.”

KZN inspectors will continue to act firmly

Inspections are currently underway throughout the province and continue during the course of next week.

“It should be emphasised that inspectors will continue to act firmly should there be any evidence indicating the violation of the sale of liquor in terms of the KZN Liquor Licensing Act,” Dube-Ncube noted.

“We remain grateful to the majority of liquor traders and license holders … who are complying with the COVID-19 regulations governing the sale of liquor during this period. We reiterate as the department that these regulations are aimed at ensuring the health and safety of customers, workers, liquor traders and the people of this province as a whole.”