Rethinking holiday spending for a more sustainable economy – News is My Business

Analysis of Consumption Models in Puerto Rico and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Holiday Consumption and Sustainability

The holiday season in Puerto Rico, from Thanksgiving to Three Kings Day, is characterized by a significant increase in consumption patterns. This surge in purchasing and subsequent waste generation presents a challenge to sustainable development. An examination of prevailing economic models is necessary to align consumer behavior with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Assessment of Prevailing Economic Models

Consumer choices during peak spending periods support one of three distinct economic models, each with different implications for sustainability.

1. The Linear Economy

   This dominant model, based on a “produce, consume, and discard” cycle, is fundamentally unsustainable. It directly contravenes the principles of SDG 12 by promoting single-use products and excessive waste. In the context of Puerto Rico, this model exacerbates the strain on landfill systems, which are already at capacity, thereby threatening the objectives of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by increasing pollution and environmental stress on vulnerable communities.

2. The Recycling Economy

   While an improvement over the linear model, the recycling economy is an insufficient solution. It mitigates some waste but does not address the root cause of overproduction and overconsumption. Despite legislative efforts, recycling rates in Puerto Rico remain low. This model represents a partial step toward SDG 12 but fails to fundamentally transform the production-to-waste pipeline.

3. The Circular Economy

   The circular economy offers a transformative approach aligned with multiple SDGs. It prioritizes waste reduction from the design phase and aims to extend the useful life of products and materials. This model is critical for achieving sustainable development by decoupling economic activity from resource consumption and environmental degradation.

The Circular Economy’s Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Adopting a circular economy framework provides a direct pathway to achieving several SDGs:

• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): This model is the embodiment of SDG 12, promoting reduced consumption, reuse, repair, and the selection of durable goods, thereby minimizing waste generation.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): By diverting waste from landfills, the circular economy helps create cleaner, safer, and more resilient communities, directly addressing the challenge of waste management infrastructure.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): It fosters local economic resilience by supporting local artisans, repair services, and secondhand markets, creating sustainable livelihoods and strengthening community-based enterprises.
• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): The model encourages innovation in product design, material science, and business models that prioritize longevity and resource efficiency over disposability.

Recommendations for Aligning Holiday Consumption with SDGs

To foster a transition toward a circular economy, the following consumption practices are recommended:

• Prioritize the acquisition of experiences over material objects.
• Support local artisans and businesses that produce durable, long-lasting products.
• Engage in the secondhand market for goods and decorations.
• Extend the lifecycle of existing items through repair and reuse before considering replacement.
• Select products with minimal, biodegradable, or compostable packaging to reduce landfill waste.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. SDGs Addressed or Connected

   The article highlights issues that are directly connected to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary focus on consumption patterns, waste generation, and economic models links the text to the following SDGs:

   • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

     This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The entire text is a critique of the “linear economy — produce, consume and discard” and an advocacy for a “circular economy” which involves more sustainable consumption and production patterns. It directly addresses the need to change how goods are produced, used, and disposed of, especially during peak consumption periods like the holiday season.

   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

     The article connects consumption habits to urban environmental challenges in Puerto Rico. It explicitly mentions that the archipelago has “landfills and/or sanitary landfill systems at capacity” and that communities are “vulnerable to the environmental impacts of these operations.” This directly relates to the goal of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, particularly concerning waste management.

   • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

     The article proposes the circular economy as a model that not only reduces waste but also “strengthens the local economy.” By encouraging consumers to “opt for local artisans and durable products,” it promotes a form of economic growth that is sustainable and supports local communities, which aligns with the principles of SDG 8.

2. Specific Targets Identified

   Based on the article’s content, several specific targets under the identified SDGs can be pinpointed:

   • Targets under SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)

     • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. The article critiques the linear economy’s pattern that “increases the use of energy, water and fuel” and promotes a circular model that encourages more efficient consumption (“buy less, choose better”).
     • Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. This is a central theme. The article laments that “consumption patterns skyrocket: we buy more, generate more waste” and advocates for circular practices like “repair before replacing” and “reuse before discarding” to reduce the “flow of waste arriving at the landfill.”

   • Targets under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

     • Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. The article’s concern about “landfills and/or sanitary landfill systems at capacity” and the “environmental impacts of these operations” on communities in Puerto Rico directly addresses this target.

   • Targets under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

     • Target 8.4: Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production. The shift from a “linear, recycling, or circular economy” is a direct discussion of this target, aiming to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation by promoting models that “extend the useful life of what already exists.”

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied

   The article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

   • Recycling Rates

     The article explicitly states that in Puerto Rico, “our [recycling] rates are still far below what was established by law.” This is a direct quantitative indicator for measuring progress on waste management targets like SDG 12.5 and 11.6.

   • Volume of Waste Generated

     The text implies this indicator by describing how “the volume of boxes, paper and plastics increases” and “the flow of waste arriving at the landfill increases” during the holiday season. Measuring the total or per capita volume of municipal solid waste would be a key indicator for Target 12.5.

   • Landfill Capacity

     The statement that Puerto Rico’s “landfills and/or sanitary landfill systems [are] at capacity” serves as a critical indicator of the strain on waste management infrastructure, relevant to Target 11.6. The percentage of landfill capacity remaining is a common environmental indicator for municipalities.

   • Share of Local Economy in Consumption

     The call to “opt for local artisans” implies an indicator related to the strength of the local economy. Measuring the percentage of consumer spending directed towards local producers versus imported goods could track progress on strengthening the local economy as part of a circular model (relevant to SDG 8).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production	12.2: Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. 12.5: Substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.	Recycling rates Volume of waste generated (especially during peak seasons)
   SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including waste management.	Landfill capacity status Volume of waste arriving at landfills
   SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth	8.4: Improve global resource efficiency in consumption and production.	Share of local artisans/producers in the consumer market

Source: newsismybusiness.com