Domestic Research Trend Analysis of Resource Circulation Using Topic Modeling Analysis

Abstract

Since the Wastes Control Act of 1987, Korea has laid the groundwork for proper waste management. The Framework Act on Resource Circulation was enacted in 2016 to manage and use waste throughout the entire lifecycle efficiently. Furthermore, “resource circulation” has recently become mainstream in domestic policies, such as establishing a digital-based resource circulation industrial complex as a part of the Korean New Deal 2.0. This study collected domestic studies on resource circulation, which has recently emerged as a major environmental issue, and analyzed research trends using topic modeling analysis. Relevant articles were collected from the Korea Citation Index using the keywords “resource circulation” and “circular economy,” and topic modeling analysis was performed on 207 papers and 712 keywords. Seven topics were drawn from the analysis: (1) energy-climate change policy, (2) eco-friendly design and systems, (3) waste electronics and plastic management, (4) revitalization of circular economy and local community, (5) environmental laws related to resource circulation, (6) concrete using recycled resources, and (7) matter flow analysis and management systems. In sum, it was found that many resource circulation studies have been conducted to address energy and climate change issues. In addition, resource circulation studies are not limited to policies and laws. Various studies are carried out across disciplines, such as engineering research on the management and utilization of specific resources and analytical research using tools, such as life cycle analysis (LCA). The findings of this study contributed to organizing major issues in recent resource circulation-related research and guiding future resource circulation-related studies.