Integrating traditional ecological knowledge into a circular economy framework using the example of consumer durable goods for northern rural communities

Abstract

Consumer Durable Goods (CDG)s have a large energy and water footprint during their lifecycle and are one of the largest contributors to municipal waste upon disposal. While CDG waste becomes invisible to consumers in urban communities, due to relatively well-established waste management infrastructure, it is inequitable in rural communities where deteriorating/decomposing goods remain on native lands/landfills and pose a risk to people and ecosystems. Therefore, a sustainable approach that emphasizes resource efficiency, waste reduction and an inclusive framework for the design, use and circularity of CDGs is imperative. This study examines the circular economy (CE) as a promising approach for CDGs in the Canadian context, where there are unique geographical challenges, particularly in remote, rural, and indigenous communities with limited recycling and repair infrastructure. It carefully considers the integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) in developing sustainable strategies for the circular materials management of CDGs to mitigate these challenges. This critical analysis explores global and national consumption trends and translates them into local knowledge gaps to reveal the barriers to the effective adoption of CE practices and identifies the opportunities and challenges in integrating TEK into CE for CDGs in remote and rural communities. It also provides recommendations and insights into how CE principles infused with TEK and indigenous wisdom can address UN SDGs 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 3 globally and help build capacity to support local solutions for waste reduction, resource efficiency, improved community economy and environmental health of remote and rural communities.