Abstract
The transition of Italian industrial clusters towards more circular and sustainable models of production could lead to substantial environmental, economic and societal benefits. The aim of this paper is to analyse which specific types of eco-innovations could lead to the implementation of circular economy in industrial clusters. The paper intends to do so not only performing a theoretical analysis but also exploring the case study of the Prato textile industrial cluster that, through the introduction of different circular and symbiotic measures has been able to significantly reduce its environmental impact and at the same time thrive and succeed.
Highlights
The world we live in is characterized by increasingly scarce natural resources, but in spite of that our consumeristic society still relies on a linear economic model of production and consumption, characterized by a simple ‘take-make-dispose’ approach, actively contributing to the depletion of the already limited natural resources and to environmental degradation
In order to evaluate the effective benefits that implementing circular economy-related eco-innovations at industrial clusters level could produce, this thesis intends to explore the successful case study of the Prato industrial cluster, which it has been chosen for 3 main reasons: a) Prato Industrial cluster was one of the first ones in Italy to introduce circular economy and sustainable strategies in its organization and business model; b) it is one of the most sustainable clusters in Italy, which is confirmed by the several awards and recognitions obtained throughout its life; c) Prato industrial cluster is specialized in textile production, which is a relevant aspect since textile industry is one of the most polluting and resource depleting of the world, mainly in terms of water
Eco-innovation is fundamental in order to build, develop and enhance these networks, such as industrial symbiosis, eco towns, urban symbiosis and so on
Summary
The world we live in is characterized by increasingly scarce natural resources, but in spite of that our consumeristic society still relies on a linear economic model of production and consumption, characterized by a simple ‘take-make-dispose’ approach, actively contributing to the depletion of the already limited natural resources and to environmental degradation. The idea at the basis of this study is that an overall and effective transition of Italian industrial clusters towards more circular and sustainable models could produce substantial environmental, economic and social benefits at a local level, and at a broader national one, and that this transition could be achieved and accelerated through the implementation of circular economy-related eco-innovations within the clusters. In order to evaluate the effective benefits that implementing circular economy-related eco-innovations at industrial clusters level could produce, this thesis intends to explore the successful case study of the Prato industrial cluster, which it has been chosen for 3 main reasons: a) Prato Industrial cluster was one of the first ones in Italy to introduce circular economy and sustainable strategies in its organization and business model; b) it is one of the most sustainable clusters in Italy, which is confirmed by the several awards and recognitions obtained throughout its life; c) Prato industrial cluster is specialized in textile production, which is a relevant aspect since textile industry is one of the most polluting and resource depleting of the world, mainly in terms of water. In the conclusions of the paper, we will try to answer our original research questions
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