The Earth is heading towards a tipping point, we can turn it into a perpetual cycle or let it collapse. A circular economy is no longer an option but the only way to survive. It is time to decide whether to recycle or perish in the short term. To begin with, the crucial issues, namely, industrial globalization and overreliance on fossil fuels, have increased solid waste and caused climate disasters. In addition, a business-wide circular economy is needed, which is critical to reducing carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 (Yang et al., 2023). Moreover, this can change to an advanced resource economy, lower pollution, and generate a sustainable manufacturing system for a better future.

Data Sources : Environmental Performance Index, (2024)

One crucial issue regarding waste is that the current plastic management system is failing and needs to be fundamentally changed. In fact, with global management costs that might reach USD 640.3 billion per year, including the consequences of pollution and health, it is anticipated that the amount of waste produced by metropolitan areas will increase by 81% to 3.8 billion tons by the year 2050 (UNEP, 2024). To prevent additional environmental and financial losses, environmentally responsible waste management practices must be implemented swiftly. For instance, one of the countries that can reduce waste in its country is Australia, which has created an ambitious National Packaging Target, aiming for all packaging in the nation to be reused, recyclable, or compostable by 2025 (Dabo, 2025). Therefore, the concrete measures implemented by Australia can be adapted by other countries facing similar waste-related problems. However, an in-depth study is needed to adjust to the local context and ensure its effectiveness before implementing such an approach.

Recently, one of the most effective approaches to addressing the waste problem has been implementing a circular economy. This system eliminates waste and pollution, keeps products and materials in circulation, and regenerates natural systems, offering a sustainable solution for long-term environmental and economic benefits (The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2024). This approach benefits businesses and communities and protects the environment for future generations. This transformation is not an option but a necessity. However, the circular economy (CE) has emerged as a mainstream sustainable development framework, actively promoted by the European Union, adopted by national governments worldwide, and implemented by global businesses to enhance resource efficiency and advance environmental sustainability in industrial practices (Korhonen et al., 2018). While the EU promotes circularity as a sustainability strategy, many Global South countries experience it as an economic necessity, one born of waste colonialism, environmental injustice, and the legacy of linear development.

In addition, Sustainable Waste Management (SWM) is a workable option that may be successfully implemented in a number of nations to solve issues associated with waste. According to research conducted by Chioatto & Sospiro (2023), SWM has been shown to have beneficial results in some countries within the European Union, including France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. These initiatives align with the more comprehensive plan the European Union (EU) is doing to rebalance interventions within the Circular Economy (CE) by embracing new product design methodologies. Besides, SWM has proven effective in several EU countries and strengthens the transition towards a Circular Economy through sustainable product design, according to recent research findings, which can be emulated by other countries in the world, both developing and developed countries. For instance, Indonesia imported over 194,000 tons of plastic garbage in 2022. Nevertheless, some garbage has not been treated appropriately (Ecoton, 2024). Given Indonesia's current conditions, implementing sustainable waste management (SWM) would be highly suitable for accelerating the transition toward a circular economy through sustainable product design.

Conversely, ecological innovation is needed to maximize the circular economy, a breakthrough that can align technological progress with planetary boundaries and answer challenges such as climate change and resource scarcity. To fully understand this, Ecological innovation is crucial for transitioning from a linear to a circular economy while combating climate change (Khanna et al., 2022). This phrase means ecological innovation is essential for transitioning from a wasteful linear economic model (take-make-dispose) to a sustainable circular (reuse-recycle-renew). At the same time, it contributes to the battle against climate change by lowering emissions and reducing the depletion of resources.

Additionally, technology can play an important role in the global circular economy, accelerating the circular economy in the current digital era. The research result by (Sánchez-García et al., 2024) indicates that new technologies are revolutionizing resource efficiency, supply chain, and product lifecycle management, such as artificial intelligence (AI). For instance, Glacier makes use of artificial intelligence technology, more particularly its 'Glacier AI' model, which is able to recognize over thirty different kinds of recyclable materials, ranging from toothpaste tubes to beverage bottles (Kesari, 2024). With innovative business models with AI, these solutions improve economic returns and reduce environmental impact. This collaborative innovation is crucial to drive sustainable consumption and a greener future. 

Based on the above analysis, three key strategies can address waste management challenges in various countries: Sustainable Waste Management (SWM), ecological innovation, and advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). Now, Individuals can start by reducing waste, while the government should strengthen regulations and invest in green technology. Finally, history will judge this generation based on a single topic: whether or not we recycled the Earth. The circular economy is about preserving the world and demonstrating that we are more intelligent than yeast in a petri dish that consumes until it chokes. It is time to make a decision now or never. Adopting a circular economy is not just a technical challenge, it’s a political and ethical one. It requires confronting unjust global trade in waste, rethinking extractive production models, and empowering communities to shape sustainable futures from the ground up