Circular Shirt Builder: an apparel configurator to support healthier consumption boundaries in the textiles circular economy

Toward a circular economy for plastics

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.

Bioengineering textiles across scales for a sustainable circular economy

This chapter discusses the emerging concept of ‘circular economy’ within the wider debate on ‘re-thinking food systems’. A ‘food system design’ perspective has been adopted, highlighting how this debate is becoming progressively more polarized and ambiguous, creating de facto two narratives, each leading to the identification of very different food futures. The first narrative defines a food system that relies on practices like closing loops of key nutrients, cascading materials, and applying bio-based technologies and recovering energy from biological materials. In this narrative circular is defined as ‘opposed’ to linear, to emphasize the importance of eliminating and designing out the concept of waste. In this narrative, a circular food economy is a food provisioning system designed around the principles and practices of an industrial ecology. The second narrative, instead, takes into account agricultural and communitarian practices aiming at enhancing soil health, biodiversity, and large nutrient bio-cycles as key planetary boundaries. It considers these practices connected and embedded in wider social practices, in fact combining an ecological worldview with a social justice perspective to define ‘regenerative food systems’. In this narrative, regenerative is part of various diverse food cultures, which inform what people do, their practices in fact. The dominant perspective is around the idea of fostering food systems based on regenerative agriculture, understood both as a ‘political movement’ and as a set of social practices, while circular economy is not yet fully defined or understood. Sometimes it is even contested or neglected. In this narrative a circular food economy is a food provisioning system designed around the principles and practices of an agro-ecology. At this stage of the debate, it is hard to predict which of the narratives and food futures will become more dominant, whether the narratives will converge into a ‘unified’ narrative, and whether new narratives will emerge. Empirical evidence from exemplary cases indicates that if a transition to a circular food economy is to shape the future of food, then it will be more likely led by large agribusinesses and corporate actors, rather than a network of small-scale and community-based initiatives. It is therefore more likely that the first type of narrative will influence a transition from a linear to a circular food economy in the years to come.

Background to the Study: The adoption of circular economy ideas to reduce waste and pollution has gained popularity in many industries, including the food business. Although there are multiple benefits to be gained from minimizing food waste through a circular economy approach, there are several barriers preventing economies from successfully transitioning. This research will explore the potential barriers to transitioning to a circular food economy in Mississippi, USA. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the associated risks of transitioning to a circular food economy in Mississippi, USA. Design/methodology/approach: Over 120 questionnaire surveys were conducted professionally to assess the associated risks of transitioning to a circular food economy in Mississippi, USA. The questionnaire comprised two main sections each exploring different parts of the research question. Findings: The key findings of the statistical analysis indicated that there is a lack of industry-specific policies, regulations, and strong legislative frameworks. This paper will be very beneficial to industry practitioners and economic researchers with an interest in the circular economy. Research limitations/implications: There is a limitation of this article because it does not cover all the professional bodies in the food industry and data used in this publication were outsourced from qualified researchers. Practical and Social implications: The lack of a generic framework and methodology, key performance indicators, benchmark index, and economic performance measures has practical and social implications for society. Originality/value: This paper contributes with new outlooks aimed at evaluating the associated risks of a circular food economy for decision-makers. Keywords : Barriers, Circular, Economy, Food, Mississippi, Risk. DOI: 10.7176/JESD/13-24-01 Publication date: December 31 st 2022

Aims: To analyze welfare and sustainability concepts framed by United Nations 2030 Agenda highlighting its commitment towards poverty and hunger; to discuss the concept of circular economy exploring the dimensions of sustainability to which it is associated; to analyze the relationship between the circular economy and the social economy, and to distinguish practices based on the assumptions of the circular economy with an inclusive impact at the level of confronting situations of vulnerability/poverty in Portugal. Method: This is a theoretical reflection based on a review of current literature, documentary analysis and searching on websites, on the opportunities of the social economy embedded in solidarity sector to foster welfare (social) sustainability by pursuing circular economy principles. Findings: The issues of poverty and hunger are central to understand the welfare concept and occupy a pole position in the agenda of human sustainability. The circular economy approach has been distinguished mainly as an alternative philosophy of growth (focusing on business) and (environmental) sustainability. Social economy anchored in solidarity organizations reveals the (neglected) social dimension of circular economy due to circular economy principles that they adopt connected to their mission. Conclusions: The opportunities of circular economy to address welfare sustainability, especially for responding to multiple social needs (e.g., basic needs) coming from the circular social economy stakeholders must be reinforced in discourses and political agendas. Also, that opens space to reconfigure the concept of circular economy widening its scope and focus on a complete approach committed to sustainability, being this a direction, that research can deepen.

Achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 will require tackling both energy-related and non-energy-related GHG emissions, which can be achieved through the transition to a circular economy (CE). The focus of climate change crisis reversal has been on the energy-related continuum over the years through promoting renewable energy uptake and efficiency in energy use. Clean energy transition and efficiency gains in energy use alone will not be sufficient to achieve net-zero emissions in 2050 without paying attention to non-energy-related CO2 emissions. This study systematically reviews the CE literature across different themes, sectors, approaches, and tools to identify accelerators in transitioning to a CE. The study aims to understand and explore how technology, finance, ecosystem, and behavioral studies in the CE paradigm can be integrated as a decision-making tool for CE transition. The material analysis was carried out by identifying the main characteristics of the literature on CE implementation in the agriculture, industry, energy, water, and tourism sectors. Results of the literature survey are synthesized to engender clarity in the literature and identify research gaps to inform future research. Findings show that many studies focused on technology as an accelerator for CE transition, and more studies are needed regarding the CE ecosystem, financing, and behavioral aspects. Also, results show that CE principles are applied at the micro-, meso-, and macro- (national, regional, and global) levels across sectors with the dominance of the industrial sector. The agriculture, water, and energy sectors are at the initial stages of implementation. Additionally, the use of carbon capture and utilization or storage, conceptualized as a circular carbon economy, needs attention in tackling CE implementation in the energy sector, especially in hydrocarbon-endowed economies. The major implication of these findings is that for CE to contribute to accelerated net-zero emission by 2050, coordinated policies should be promoted to influence the amount of financing available to innovative circular businesses and technologies within an ecosystem that engenders behavioral change towards circularity.

Earth as a planet has limited natural resources and current levels of extraction and consumption are not sustainable. The organizational model for the production of goods and services in society is predominantly linear: resources are extracted, passed through the production process, used by society, and then discarded, ignoring external effects. While the linear economy was very successful in creating material wealth in industrialized countries until the 20th century, it has proven to be unsustainable in the new millennium, as such an approach depletes natural resources, piles up waste, contributes to climate change, and increases other forms of pollution and environmental degradation. environment. In contrast to the conventional linear economic model, where resources are extracted, used and discarded, the concept of circular (circular) economy is increasingly developing in the world, conceived as an ideal and instrumental model of development determined by the responsible and cyclical use of resources, in order to maintain their value in the economy, minimized the pressures on the environment and contributed to the improvement of socio-economic well-being. The collection of concepts that make up the circular economy enables the reduction of waste by incorporating the reuse of goods components by design through closed loop and cascade approaches, increasing the resilience of the economic system, preserving the environment, meeting the growing demands of an increasingly populated planet and increasing the operability and profitability of production. The application of circular economy principles brings cleaner air through the application of measures to reduce air pollution, encouraging the use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency; cleaner water through the implementation of measures to prevent water pollution; regulated waste management system; addressing climate change and a number of other measures that ultimately bring a positive impact on people's health and the preservation of resources for future generations. Eco-innovations are one of the key tools for the transition from a linear to a circular economy and the fight against climate change. The circular economy reduces the pressure on natural resources, and is a prerequisite for achieving the goal of climate neutrality by 2050 and stopping the loss of biological diversity. Implementation of CE worldwide appears to be still in its early stages, mostly focused on recycling rather than reuse. Evidence suggests that CE has numerous advantages as it represents a unique policy strategy for avoiding resource depletion, energy conservation, waste reduction, land management and integrated water resources management. The transition to a system based on a circular economy represents an advantage not only for the market, by stimulating competitiveness and innovation, but also for the environment, reducing resource dependence and waste problems. On the other hand, challenges include lack of clear, standardized quantitative measurements and targets, data quality, lack of advanced technology, weak law enforcement, weak economic incentives, poor governance and lack of public awareness. The advantages are undeniable, and such innovative models lead to a reduction of dependence on raw materials by strengthening the relationship between the company and its customers, offering products with a high degree of customization, the emergence of a participatory economy based on digital technologies, etc. Despite widespread recognition of its benefits, implementation has been slow. Attempts tend to focus on short-term, immediately feasible actions rather than transformative, structural changes. The category of highly circular strategies targets processes such as the creation, design and development of products or services and involves significant investment in research, development and innovation. The lesson learned from successful experiences is that the transition to CE comes from the involvement of all actors of society and their capacity to connect and create appropriate patterns of cooperation and exchange. Previous research shows that the transition to a circular economy represents a systemic shift that contributes to the long-term resilience of society and local communities to climate change and economic shocks, creates business opportunities and jobs, and has lasting positive effects on the environment and society. The government should play a leading role in drawing up a macro-development plan, raising public awareness of the circular economy, establishing a system of laws and regulations, encouraging key industries, investing capital and providing technical support for the development of the circular economy. The circular economy research field still has a long way to go to create positive global, political, economic, scientific, social and environmental impacts. There is a need for studies in different sub-fields to highlight potential impacts in the present and future, as well as research to find ways to accelerate the economic transition towards a circular economy.

Background of the Study : In the 21st century, adopting the principles of the circular economy to minimize waste and pollution has become prominent in several industries, including the food industry. The United Nation’s sustainable development goal to reduce retail and consumer food waste by half by the year 2030 on a global level, has prompted many nations to deplore proactive measures to eliminate food waste. By eliminating food waste through a circular economy model, there are numerous benefits to be gained for businesses and the environments in which we live. This research will provide insights into how transitioning into a circular food economy will be beneficial for the state of Mississippi, the USA, and the world at large. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the current level of awareness and advocated the benefits of transitioning to a circular food economy in Mississippi, USA. Design/methodology/approach : A questionnaire survey of 120 construction professionals was used to assess the current level of awareness and advocated the benefits of transitioning to a circular food economy in Mississippi, USA. The questionnaire comprised three main sections each exploring different parts of the research question. Findings: The key findings of the statistical analysis indicated that there is low awareness of the circular food economy. This study fills the gap in the existing knowledge by addressing concerns over circular food economies to improve confidence among practitioners. Research limitations/implications: Although the data used in this paper was from educationally qualified individuals, the research is limited in some ways in that it does not cover all the professionals in the food industry. Nevertheless, all the professionals who responded to the questionnaire have an up-to-date level of awareness of the circular food economy. Practical and Social implications: A noticeable proponent of the circular food economy is that it promotes the overall health of people by providing environmental and economic benefits. Originality/value : This paper contributes with new outlooks aimed at assessing the current level of awareness, usage, and advocated benefits of the circular food economy and adds to the limited empirical studies on circular economy to governments, companies, and decision-makers. Keywords: Awareness, Benefits, Circular, Economy, Food, Mississippi. DOI: 10.7176/JESD/13-22-02 Publication date: November 30 th 2022

Highlights The case study farm produces 66% of its biogas from off-farm food waste sources, highlighting the potential to increase the circularity of food and agricultural systems when farms capture and recycle external waste sources. The farm can meet 78% of its crop nitrogen needs from waste products recycled in digestion, assuming a 37% nitrogen use efficiency (NUE). However, phosphorus in the imported food waste creates an excess relative to crop needs. The farm creates an excess of energy that is returned to the electric grid, providing broader off-farm benefits through a circular economy approach. Widespread commercial implementation of circular economy principles in the U.S. dairy sector requires more measured data about how farms successfully implement circularity within the constraints of market incentives and farm operations. Abstract. Coupling agricultural production with sustainable bioenergy systems may help us improve the circular economy of the food system and work within planetary boundaries for climate stabilization. However, leading sustainable dairies often do not have data to support that claim. As a result, practical case studies of circular economies with measured data from commercially operating farms are lacking in the literature, which is instead dominated by hypothetical and theoretical analyses. To grow and scale commercial implementation of circular economy and sustainability principles, it is important to understand how commercial farms implement these principles within the constraints of market incentives and actual farm operations. We conducted a case study of a commercial dairy farm in Pennsylvania, where a well-managed anaerobic digester system serves as the basis for a circular farm economy and allows the next generation to grow the farm business and expand the portfolio of revenue streams. The farm recycles food and agricultural waste into heat, renewable electricity, and fertilizer to heat and power the farm, amend the soil, and reduce farm costs. We also highlight the potential to scale the case study farm's circular economy approach in Pennsylvania using the state's projected 2030 manure, corn stover, winter double crops, switchgrass, and food waste resources to produce energy via biogas or renewable natural gas (RNG). We estimate the state could generate 40 million MJ annually from such integrated anaerobic digestion systems, meeting 3% of its electricity consumption. Circular economies like this case study can be designed in food and agricultural systems to operate within the constraints of an operating farm and recycle waste, produce nitrogen- and phosphorus-rich soil amendments and reduce imports of synthetic fertilizers, reduce and offset fossil energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with crop and livestock production, regenerate natural ecosystems, help ensure agricultural resilience and sustainability, and provide economic benefits. Keywords: Anaerobic digestion, Biogas, Circular economy, Digestate, Food waste.

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.

PurposeIdea of circular economy defies the classical “make-use-dispose” approach of linear economic model. In the context of health-care industry, it relies heavily on the supply chain practices implemented by industry stakeholders. The purpose of this study is to explore such relationships, study their structure and put it across for attaining sustainability at large.Design/methodology/approachThis study is an empirical research conducted on 145 health-care firms. The collected data is analysed to develop structural and measurement model. The five constructed hypotheses are examined and tested through structural equation modelling.FindingsThe study illustrates the latent relationships that exist among the stakeholders involvement, sustainable supply chain practices, sustainable performance and circular economy for health-care industry. It is found that the adoption of sustainable supply chain practices improves health-care performance, which, in turn, have positive influence on circular economy.Research limitations/implicationsThe structural and measurement model is developed in the context of circular health-care economy. It can be validated or improvised by conducting similar research in other industry using different methods. This research work fulfils the long existing gap in research by offering a linkage between various constructs to achieve health-care circular economy. Based on the research results, future researchers can build theories of circular economy and sustainability for health-care industry.Originality/valueThe study attempts to study the supply chain ways to achieve circular economy for Indian health-care sector. It considered latent relationships among the set of constructs, which are needed for theory building at later stage.

Circular Urban Metabolism Framework

Ocean pollution, plastic pollution, loss of biodiversity and climate change is global problems that receive increasing attention and need to be addressed urgently. Policies such as the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals or the EU’s ‘Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy’ show the increasing need for a more responsible handling of materials, products, wastes and residues. Innovative companies react and seek practical solutions that contribute to the development of the bio-based and circular economy. International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) support the circular and bio-based economy by offering a certification that promotes an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable production. The ISCC certification system is used globally for the chemical industry, packaging, industrial applications as well as in the food, feed and bioenergy markets. It provides credible sustainability certification for all types of agricultural and forestry raw materials, waste and residues, non-bio renewables, recycled carbon materials and the respective supply chains and is a leading global certification scheme for the biobased and circular economy. The presentation will offer a deepen overview of the solutions provided by ISCC for credible certification for a sustainable bioeconomy and circular economy. ISCC certification ensures sustainability, certification, feedstock identity and correct on-product claims. Different options for the certification of the supply chains will be presented: physical segregation and mass balance. The applied methods to guarantee that supply chains are deforestation-free will be explained in detail.

Objective: This article aims to identify the main characteristics and trends in the development of the circular economy in EU countries and the key features of this process concerning the implementation of traditional linear economic systems. Theoretical framework: The industrial revolution and rapid economic development over a short time have changed the state of the environment. Excessive consumption, the basis of modern society, has caused climate change and intensified countless environmental and social problems. Method: Questionnaire survey, which was conducted by the authors of the study online to practically clarify the most critical issues related to the analysis of trends in the implementation of the circular economy. Results and conclusion: The study identified the top, most important features of the concept and the circular economy model, the main trends in the development of the circular economy in EU countries, and the key differences between the circular and linear economies. The research authors proposed classifying circular business models, which include four main types: closed loop, circular supply chain, resource recovery, and product life extension. The study also found that implementing circular economy principles in EU countries positively impacts economic growth, job creation, and environmental protection. Implications of the research: The authors concluded that the transition to a circular economy is a global trend that requires the joint efforts of all countries and stakeholders. Originality/value: The originality and value of this research lie in its specific focus on the circular economy as an alternative to the traditional linear economy, using the case study of the European Union (EU).