Abstract
Various authors have analyzed the fundamental barriers that hamper the transition towards a circular economy, e.g., economic and business, regulatory and legal, and social. This analysis questions how, under these constrained conditions, high-grade recycling can still be implemented successfully in the Netherlands. The study compares five Dutch material flows: paper and cardboard, plastics, non-wearable textiles, building and demolition waste and mattresses. It is concluded that the following four key conditions should be in place, but need a tailor-made approach for each material flow: (1) adequate collection system/logistics; (2) guaranteed volumes of material supply; (3) clear market demand for and (4) quality guarantee of recycled materials. Moreover, the following five key drivers help circumvent the fundamental barriers and realize the four key conditions: (1) mobilizing power by change agents; (2) cooperation within the material chain; (3) well-attuned financial arrangement; (4) circular procurement; and (5) technological innovation (including redesign). These drivers follow a certain sequence in implementation and circumvent the fundamental barriers each in their own way. This empirical analysis complements the mostly conceptual or theoretical literature on the transition towards high-grade recycling and the circular economy in general. Based on this analysis a conceptual model is developed, in which the key conditions, the key drivers and fundamental barriers are linked. Whether the results also hold true for other countries than the Netherlands needs additional research.
Highlights
The transition towards a circular economy is a global challenge
This paper aims to bridge the above knowledge gap by focusing on an empirical study of the key drivers of change towards high-grade recycling in practice
The logical order becomes apparent when we look at how each driver helps circumvent the fundamental barriers that hamper high-grade recycling, viz. economic and business barriers, regulatory and legal barriers, and social barriers
Summary
The transition towards a circular economy is a global challenge. Due to the worldwide increase of economic growth and the consumption of finite resources, society faces a growing scarcity of essential resources and a great burden on the environment. A shift in our pattern of production and consumption is needed. By fostering a circular economy, the rates of extraction of natural resources, energy demand, emissions and other environmental harms can be reduced. The economic benefits for industry can potentially be increased and national political advantages created via a reduced dependence on imports and increased self-reliance [1,2]. The concept of a circular economy is not new, tracing back to different schools of thought [3,4,5]
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