A framework to assess indicators of the circular economy in biological systems

Abstract

In regional and global contexts, the circular economy (CE) has gained significant traction to sustain the economy while maintaining environmental and social justice. However, the literature on CE lacks substantial information regarding the theory and methodology of putting CE into practice. The goal of this work is to create a framework for evaluating CE indicators and CE implementation in biological systems. The findings of this study suggest that CE may be more complicated than previously thought, involving a wide variety of interconnected mechanisms. The CE’s guiding principles differentiate between biological and man-made (artificial) material and resource cycles. Biological cycles concern the safe and efficient movement of renewable biotic resources into and out of the biosphere. This study looks at the 13 different indicators of a circular economy, with a particular emphasis on the biological approaches that make up the biological cycle. The 13 papers were broken down as follows: four at the macro level, three at the meso level, and seven at the micro level. Furthermore, through the analysis of various literary sources, this paper proposed a framework for calculating and quantifying the CE. The framework’s first steps are measurement criteria, the second are level monitoring procedures, and the third is the impact of CE. The proposed framework will aid in disseminating knowledge across regions, industries, and stakeholders, as well as accelerating CE implementation.