A Review of Circular Economy Studies in Developed Countries and Its Potential Adoption in Developing Countries

In this paper, we have analysed the level of advancement in circular economy (CE) in the EU-28 countries. First, we used a synthetic measure to examine CE advancement in EU countries in each of the Eurostat CE distinguished areas, i.e., production and consumption, waste management, secondary raw materials, and competitiveness and innovation. For the empirical analysis, we applied 17 Eurostat indicators to the CE areas. To find the synthetic measure in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016, we used multidimensional comparative analysis, i.e., a zero unitarisation method. Second, based on the synthetic measures of the CE areas, we created a general synthetic measure of the CE advancement of the EU-28 countries as well as the countries’ rankings. Third, we classified the countries into groups according to their level of advancement in CE, i.e., high level, medium–high level, medium–low level and low level groups. Finally, we applied a similarity measure to evaluate the correlation between obtained rankings in two most extreme moments in the period of analysis (2010, 2016). Our analysis covers all EU member states, as well as “old” and “new” EU countries separately. Our results confirm that highly developed Benelux countries, i.e., Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Belgium, have the highest CE advancement level. Malta, Cyprus, Estonia and Greece are the least advanced in CE practice. Apart from that, on average, there is some progress in CE implementation, significant disproportions between the EU countries were observed, especially among the “new” member states.

Due to the rapid pace of industrialization worldwide, a considerable amount of waste has accumulated, which tends to compromise the sustainability of the environment and the availability of resources for future generations. As a countermeasure, the linear economy to a circular economy (CE) transition has evolved into an essential means for realizing sustainable development. We compared developed and developing countries’ readiness to embrace the circular economy principles, particularly on sustainable waste management. Adopting a systematic review methodology, the study analyzed 70 relevant academic papers published on CE implementation in different industries and regions, particularly in developed economies, including Australia. The year of publication, research methodology, geographical contexts, and industrial applications were considered in the analysis. These results show that developed countries have made clear advances in Circularity in waste management, supported by mature policy frameworks, technological advances and multi-stakeholder contributions. On the other hand, in many developing countries, the adoption of CE practices is poor, owing to policy inadequacies, resource scarcity, and limited stakeholder involvement. This study’s findings suggest that developing countries could gain from CE implementation through targeted approaches encompassing the government, the industry, and communities. The paper ends with policy suggestions and collaborative strategies to promote the integration of a circular economy for sustainable waste management in developed and developing country settings.

Bioengineering textiles across scales for a sustainable circular economy

Agricultural production strategies: world experience

This paper aims to provide insight into the role of nuclear energy consumption in achieving circular economy status within the Organization of Economic and Co-operation Development (OECD) countries. Most of the scholarly work in this field examines the relationships between nuclear energy, income, and sustainability. However, a research gap exists regarding the effects of nuclear energy on the circular economy and vice versa. To address this knowledge gap, this research investigates the relationship between nuclear energy and the circular economy, while accounting for the role of environmental taxes and greenfield investments in OECD countries. Empirically, this study relies on the augmented mean group estimator and method of moment quantile regression approaches for conditional distribution on different quantiles. The findings suggest a robust positive relationship between nuclear energy and the circular economy, suggesting nuclear energy helps OECD countries to achieve economic circularity. In contrast, environmental taxes are associated with a detrimental effect on the circular economy. Furthermore, income and green field investment contribute to the achievement of a circular economy.

PurposeThis study focuses on establishing relations with some important but underestimated elements of knowledge dynamics and firm orientations to characterize organizational circular economy activities through eco-innovation (EIN). The advent of the circular economy (CE) in this post-pandemic era has brought unpredictable sustainable challenges for the manufacturing industries. This research paper aims to bring more clarity to the extant literature on the relationship between environmental innovation (EI) and CE.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, a systematic literature review methodology was used to research the determinants of EI in the knowledge environment that drives the implementation of a CE.FindingsThis paper proposes a framework that articulates organizational learning and orientation dynamics and offers a new set of internal knowledge resources for a corporate CE. It is found that change toward CE requires connection with EI. However, successful CE growth largely depends on leveraging knowledge resources and orientation dynamics (stakeholder orientation, sustainability orientation, organization learning orientation and entrepreneurial orientation). CE techniques are still in their early phases of adoption and their implementation is still in its development. Circular knowledge economy (CKE) has the potential to be a useful alternative to achieving thriving CE to achieve sustainability in local and global businesses operations.Practical implicationsThis study helps companies to understand the organizational learning and different orientation dynamics for achieving CE principles. The research findings imply that EI is critical in establishing a sustainable transition toward CE through organizational learning and orientation dynamics and has garnered significant attention from academics, public policymakers and practitioners. The proposed framework can guide managers to develop sustainable policies related to the CE. This research recognizes that firm-level CKE is important in shaping how knowledge resources relate to CE within transition management literature.Originality/valueThis paper abridges the knowledge gap in identifying key drivers and presents the current eminence, challenges and prognostications of sustainable EI parameters in the changing climate of CE. This study builds a framework that combines insights from different viewpoints and disciplines and extends one’s understanding of the relationship between EI and CE. From a theoretical perspective, this study explains the knowledge management complexity links between EI and CE. It builds a theoretical bridge between EI and CE to illustrate how firms transition toward CE following the recommendations. Thus, researchers should continue to support their research with appropriate theories that have the potential to explain EI and CE relationship phenomena, with a particular emphasis on some promising but underutilized theories such as organizational learning, dynamic capabilities and stakeholder theories.

The development and implementation of appropriate measurement tools is a prerequisite for the effective introduction of the concept of a circular economy at every level of management. Fundamental to this system is the establishment and adoption of indicators, which are a monitoring tool to diagnose, model, and forecast the circular economy. The full identification of indicators and the degree of their implementation provide the necessary knowledge for a comprehensive assessment of the state of change and the prospects for closed-loop circuits in EU countries. The main objective of the research conducted was an attempt to assess the implementation of the circular economy in the EU-27 countries. The research used indicators of the circular economy, analyzed the relative taxonomic measure of development, and established a ranking of EU countries. In this research, three questions formulated were as follows: do average circular economy indicators in EU countries show an increasing trend over the last decade? Is the circular economy development gap decreasing in EU countries? In which countries are the biggest barriers to circular economy implementation? Based on the research questions posed in this way, two hypotheses were adopted: in the last decade, there has been a slow transition from a linear to a circular economy in EU countries; there is a wide variation in circular economy indicators among EU countries. Achieving the main objective required recognizing the issue of natural resource management, characterizing the changes in individual conditions affecting the possibility of realizing the assumptions of the closed-loop economy, and assessing changes in the possibility of implementing the circular economy in individual EU countries over a period of 10 years. The analysis of the dynamics of change over the past 10 years in the 27 EU countries indicates a slow process of transition from a linear to a circular economy. The study shows that only 8 EU countries have seen an increase in the development measure.

PurposeThis paper aims to explore global research on individuals’ awareness and behaviours related to the Circular Economy, aiming to deepen the understanding of how people engage with and contribute to CE practices.Design/methodology/approachUsing a systematic literature review (SLR), this study methodically collects, codifies, analyses, synthesizes and interprets existing literature and research on Circular Economy. This approach aims for a comprehensive understanding of current global perspectives and practices.FindingsThe analysis reveals an increasing trend in empirical research focusing on Circular Economy strategies. This paper has identified 22 key strategies linked to public awareness and behaviours towards Circular Economy, noting that purchasing recycled products is the most commonly observed behaviour. The findings highlight the growing importance and complexity of individual roles in the Circular Economy.Research limitations/implicationsThe study underscores the importance of consumer behaviour in advancing Circular Economy practices. This paper observes that despite the growth in Circular Economy research, there is still a notable gap in awareness and behaviour, even in developed countries. This is attributed to a lack of conceptual understanding, educational disparities, resource limitations, a limited grasp of cost–benefit considerations and inadequate government support. The paper also explores regional and sector-specific variations in Circular Economy adoption, with insights from countries such as the USA, China, the UK, Germany, France and Norway.Practical implicationsThis study underscores the importance of consumer behaviour in advancing Circular Economy practices. Despite the growth in Circular Economy research, there is still a notable gap in awareness and behaviour, even in developed countries. This is attributed to a lack of conceptual understanding, educational disparities, resource limitations, a limited grasp of cost–benefit considerations and inadequate government support. The paper also explores regional and sector-specific variations in Circular Economy adoption, with insights from countries such as the USA, China, the UK, Germany, France and Norway.Social implicationsThis research underscores the impact of demographic and sociocultural factors, including age, education, social norms and attitudes, on Circular Economy engagement. It identifies potential research areas, including examining cultural influences on social and personal norms related to circular behaviours. Ultimately, the study emphasizes the need for a coordinated, cross-sectoral effort to facilitate a sustainable transition to a Circular Economy, addressing barriers and fostering awareness and behaviours conducive to circular practices.Originality/valueThis study acknowledges challenges affecting the maturity of Circular Economy practices, including a lack of comprehension, educational disparities, resource constraints and limited government support. It also underscores the impact of social and cultural factors on Circular Economy engagement. It suggests promising avenues for future research, providing valuable insights into the state of Circular Economy practices and offering a roadmap for advancing global sustainability initiatives.

Circulation has long been present in China through the ancient theory of the five elements. The newer circular economy concept can be traced back to the rise of environmentalism. The Economics of the Coming Spaceship Earth written by American economist Kenneth Boulding in 1966 presents early circular economy theories. Boulding believed that “the earth has become a single spaceship, without unlimited reservoirs of anything, either for extraction or for pollution, and in which, therefore, man must find his place in a cyclical ecological system.” The theory sees pollution as residual resources that have not been used rationally. Since resource and environmental problems are caused by development, they must be resolved by replacing the traditional economic development pattern with a circular economic pattern to protect the Earth from destruction. The circular economy theory prompted earlier research on environmental resource issues, but various obstacles prevented significant progress at the time. It was not until the 1980s and 1990s that the circular economy concept finally garnered enough attention from governments and the public as global environmental problems intensified and sustainable development grew in popularity. British environmental economists David Pearce and Kerry Turner first formally used the term “circular economy” in the book Economics of Natural Resources and the Environment in 1990. Germany drafted circular economy and waste management legislation in 1996, which was the first use of the term “circular economy” in national legal texts. Some developed countries have created a new, circular economy development pattern to increase environmental benefits and reduce environmental pollution, which includes planning industrial development in accordance with ecological theories. This pattern has seen considerable success in Germany, the United States, Japan, and other developed countries, where a circular economy has gradually increased in popularity in the recent years. Most developed countries have regarded a circular economy as an important approach to sustainable development. A growing number of government officials, scholars, and entrepreneurs are studying circular economy theories, offering increasingly diverse and mature options.

Current development aid methods implemented by NGOs have demonstrated to generate negative consequences as for example to weaken the role of state, create dependency and reproduce imperialistic power relations. Furthermore, despite great efforts, good wills and a lot of money spent by NGOs and international agencies for development aid projects in Haiti all along the last few decades, little to no results have been reached in a long-term perspective. The purpose of this work is therefore to present and evaluate a new strategy for the field of developmental aid, which is based in this case on the circular economy principles and that is intended to produce a long-lasting change. Circular economy is a relatively new method of thinking about production which will lead the economy of the future, however, its positive effects have been analyzed only in relation to the industrialized and industrializing world, while for the moment no studies have been produced to understand its applicability in the least developed countries of the world. Therefore, this article is of exploratory nature and aims to start a discussion on this subject and to contribute to the understanding of the benefits that circular economy-based projects could generates in fragile and failed states like Haiti. The method utilized has been the one of bibliographic research and a case study, which deeply describe a social-eco enterprise that works in Haiti applying circular economy principles to its projects, is provided. The results confirmed our hypothesis and sustained the idea that to generate long lasting changes and to improve social justice in Haiti and in the other least developed countries of the world, these kind of projects are more than necessary. While the main limit of our method is that we have been able to presents a single case study only, to conclude, we suggest that further studies in this direction and the provision of more case studies by other researchers could better contribute to the solving of the questions generated by this research and could provide more data in support of our assumptions.

The circular economy, an evolving concept, is considered a necessary and pragmatic solution for reconciling the link between the growth rate and the pressure on the resources of the environment. Therefore, the purpose of the paper is the quantitative assessment of the circular economy in the OECD countries based on the indicators assembled by the authors. The goal set was achieved through both a theoretical and empirical objective. The theoretical objective is to combine and group indicators referring to the circular economy, as they are present in the literature. The empirical objective is to develop a model of causal analysis with significance for circular economy practice, based on indicators that measure economic growth, research-development, education, recycling. To achieve the empirical objective, cluster analysis, correlation analysis and path analysis were applied. The authors' contribution consists of adapting circular economy indicators to the 5 newly created classes and applying the statistical methods mentioned in the OECD circular economy analysis. The results of empirical research reflect, on the one hand, the classification of countries for a set of indicators of the circular economy and the significant links and dependencies between the indicators analysed on the other.

The circular economy is emerging as an economic form to solve economic, environmental, and social problems around the world. In this regard, various countries and regions of the world are making every effort to establish and implement circular economy strategies and action plans. This paper discusses the Recycling Law adopted in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and its characteristics. To this end, this paper examines the cases of legalization in various countries and regions around the world related to the circular economy and recycling and explains the contents and characteristics of the Recycling Law in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea concerning it. The findings are that (a) the more science and technology develop and the more complete the economic structure becomes, the more complete the legal environment related to the circular economy should become and (b) if the transition to the circular economy is to be implemented with strong obligations, the planning lever must be regulated as a legal obligation, and the state needs to use the planning lever to thoroughly implement circular economy-related goals and strategies. These findings can be used as a reference to prepare a legal environment for promoting the circular economy in countries pursuing the realization of a circular economy in a top-down way, and it will also help fill the gap in research on the legal environment for promoting the circular economy.

Strategic priorities of social production digitalization: world experience

The transition to a circular economy (CE), whose primary goal is to ensure sustainable development, has become a major global agenda item, particularly in developed countries, due to the economic, social, and environmental benefits it will deliver. However, despite all these benefits, the desired progress in the transition to this new economic order has not yet been achieved. The barriers encountered during the transition process are cited as the primary reason for this situation. Therefore, identifying the barriers encountered during the transition to CE and the driving forces that motivate the process is crucial to the successful progress of the transition. Drawing on traditional literature, this research examines the barriers to the adoption of CE in developing countries, including Türkiye, and the driving forces that encourage the transition. By analysing detailed examples from various countries, this article aims to guide businesses, practitioners, and policymakers in developing countries, particularly Türkiye, facing similar barriers in implementing the system. In this way, the findings of a limited number of studies on Türkiye and other developing countries are presented and interpreted together, and the study aims to contribute to the field's gap regarding CE applications in developing countries. The research demonstrates that the success of the process depends solely on the participation, cooperation, and coordination of all stakeholders; therefore, the transition to CE requires a holistic perspective across all economic levels (micro, meso, and macro). The findings demonstrate that implementing the necessary policies, regulations, and practices for the transition to CE, providing financial support and incentives to businesses, adapting technological infrastructure to support CE, and conducting training and awareness-raising activities will significantly impact the success of the process.

As global industrial waste demands rise alongside increasing water scarcity, it becomes imperative to adopt circular economy principles within industrial water management. Traditional linear models of resource use have become unsustainable, demanding systemic transitions toward circular, closed-loop approaches. This paper explores the intersection of circular economy education and industrial water uses by examining how circular economy education and practices can transform industrial water use and improve sustainability outcome. Through case studies and best practices, this research illustrates successful implementations of circular water economy principles, demonstrates the implementation of closed-loop water systems, cascading reuse and zero liquid discharge technologies can reduce freshwater intake in industrial applications and emphasises the role of public-private partnerships in promoting water reuse projects. The paper also addresses the challenges and barriers to implementation, focusing on regulatory issues, resource limitations, and gaps in awareness. It concludes by proposing future directions for integrating circular economy principles into industrial water management and offers policy recommendations to foster circular water economy education. Hence, it contributes qualitative analysis to the growing body of knowledge on sustainable water management practices and provides valuable insights for policymakers and industry professionals seeking to advance circular economy approaches in industrial water use.