Abstract
The circular economy (CE) is widely known as a way to implement and achieve sustainability, mainly due to its contribution towards the separation of biological and technical nutrients under cyclic industrial metabolism. The incorporation of the principles of the CE in the links of the value chain of the various sectors of the economy strives to ensure circularity, safety, and efficiency. The framework proposed is aligned with the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development regarding the orientation towards the mitigation and regeneration of the metabolic rift by considering a double perspective. Firstly, it strives to conceptualize the CE as a paradigm of sustainability. Its principles are established, and its techniques and tools are organized into two frameworks oriented towards causes (cradle to cradle) and effects (life cycle assessment), and these are structured under the three pillars of sustainability, for their projection within the proposed framework. Secondly, a framework is established to facilitate the implementation of the CE with the use of standards, which constitute the requirements, tools, and indicators to control each life cycle phase, and of key enabling technologies (KETs) that add circular value 4.0 to the socio-ecological transition.
Highlights
The current model of appropriation of natural resources under a linear economy has triggered serious environmental problems, which puts the continuity of the biosphere and its resource provider ecosystems at risk [1]
This paper addresses the following research questions: (i) Is it possible to formulate the CE as a paradigm for sustainability according to the basic aspects that a paradigm must possess? (ii) How should the emerging knowledge of lessons learned and best available techniques (BAT) of sustainable industrial practices be transferred to technical standards for the circular economy, in order to ensure the greatest scope of sustainability in industrial and service operations? (iii) How can the potential of digital transformation of Industry 4.0 and a framework for standardization committees that transfer knowledge and edge experience to technical standards be articulated synergistically?
The CE is proposed as a paradigm for sustainability that determines the organizational behaviour of companies and institutions in a sustainable way. This paradigm is supported by a five-stream structure, as shown in Figure 3, the principal aspects are integrated in accordance with the following description of the aspects: Axiological; teleological
Summary
The current model of appropriation of natural resources under a linear economy has triggered serious environmental problems, which puts the continuity of the biosphere and its resource provider ecosystems at risk [1]. With respect to the methodological aspects of the CE paradigm, a set of frameworks, techniques, and tools have been developed aimed at creating value, such as C2C, bioinspired design, and eco-effectiveness Likewise, other tools, such as LCA, impact-oriented design, and eco-efficiency, assess the damage or loss of environmental value. The aforementioned scenario offers the opportunity to provide the scientific and technical community with a unified paradigm that configures the path towards developing technical systems and services (built environment) in a sustainable manner in their life cycle under a multilevel and multiscale approach (geographical dimension) In this respect, a variety of proposals have been developed [18,19,20] of which CE [21] is considered as a paradigm to structure the body of knowledge (Noosphere) of the triple bottom line (TBL) that enables the socio-ecological transition.
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