Solutions to Watch: Island Circular Economy

Island economies currently face unique challenges in achieving circularity, due to limited land, resources, and high dependency on imports. Their isolation and small scale can hinder traditional recycling and waste management efforts. Yet, these constraints also present opportunities for innovative circular models, emphasizing local resource utilization, renewable energy, and sustainable tourism. Enhanced support and investment in these systems can help mitigate environmental impacts and foster economic stability in these vulnerable regions.

The TOPIC Toolbox is a tool developed by The World Bank to help island policymakers and decision-makers identify appropriate technologies and solutions for addressing plastic waste. It provides tailored recommendations based on factors such as population, waste volume, waste collection rates, and plastic content in waste. Other strategies for promoting circular economies on islands include waste-to-product concepts, such as those implemented by IUCN in Fiji, Samoa, Antigua and Barbuda, and Vanuatu. Islands can also serve as living labs for circular economics, allowing for experimentation and innovation on a smaller scale.

Success stories from islands that have implemented circular thinking, such as Samsø in Denmark, demonstrate the potential benefits of circular economies, including cost savings, reduced emissions, and preservation of natural and cultural heritage.