Integrate resources and make better use of them

During the latest meeting of the National Innovation Council, held at the Palace of the Revolution, the main topic of assessment was the need to combat the decline of natural resources and stem the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on the atmosphere by promoting innovative practices in the country.

The exchange was chaired by President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and attended by Deputy Prime Minister Inés María Chapman. Academics, scientists, experts and managers exchanged views and analyzed how much we can do to promote the concept of circular economy in the recycling industry and in all fields, so as to make greater use of natural resources in a country like ours with very special conditions for economic development.

The conference exchanges were marked by the publication of three papers on the current status and prospects of promoting innovation in circular economy concepts.

As a practice in developed countries, the essence of circular economy is to achieve full utilization of raw materials and reuse of solid waste, which is considered not only from an environmental perspective, but also from an economic and technological transformation perspective.

Regarding how to achieve greater sustainable development in the country, Professor Dennis Oliva Merencio of the Polytechnic University of Havana spoke. The search for greater power in any innovation system, especially when talking about the circular economy in the recycling sector, cannot ignore the need to achieve integration between the various sectors of society, which is why Doctor of Science Lídice Vaillant defended the need to achieve integration of all sectors and their interrelationships.

In defining the concept of circular economy, scholar Denis Oliva Melencio describes it as comprehensive and central.

The experts, academics, producers and managers at the conference had a wide-ranging exchange, raising the issue of circular economy and the need to apply it as a permanent guideline that every initiated project should follow.

President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez defines the circular economy as a strategic economy because it is horizontal and helps to create a culture of implementation and influences behavioral change.

The meeting raised a set of important issues, which is why he stressed the need to move forward in developing a circular economy strategy for Cuba.

“We must ensure that everyone thinks about the circular economy, both in the commercial system and in the municipalities,” the President said. This, he said, would allow us to string together processes to obtain new products and transform production.

During the new session of the National Innovation Council, which has become the backbone of the country’s government operations, it is reported that there is an accessible space on the digital website of the Presidency, in which 102 materials are currently inserted, containing extensive documentation on such meetings held.

In the analytical theme of a recent conference (circular economy), although our country is far from reaching the level of practice of developed countries, the conference identified some important areas where comprehensive work can be carried out to increase and more sustainably use our natural resources, reuse the solid waste generated by institutions and the population, and achieve larger production chains.

(From Rebellious Radio)