Circular Economy Practices Research Articles

Recovery pathway assessment of recycled HDPE for circular economy: Shorter-life vs longer-life products

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) is a highly recyclable thermoplastic comprising 17% of all plastic produced. Yet, demand for recycled HDPE (r-HDPE) has outrun availability, partly due to manufacturers’ interest in meeting sustainability goals and recycled content mandates. Given that HDPE has a variety of uses, understanding optimal allocation of the constrained r-HDPE supply across product categories and lifespans will support the challenge of addressing broader sustainability goals and establishing circular economy (CE). By utilizing systems dynamic (SD) and life cycle analysis (LCA) modeling, this work studies whether prioritizing r-HDPE for longer-life products is more environmentally beneficial, compared to shorter-life products (e.g., food-grade packaging). Specifically, this work compares the production of milk containers and drainage pipes using virgin and r-HDPE as examples of HDPE applications through three scenarios. Key findings emerged from this study including the demonstration of a slight advantage to prioritizing allocating the constrained r-HDPE supply to the longer-life product vs the shorter-life product and a distinct challenge in hitting recycled content targets with current recycling rates and 2030 goals for the United States. This highlights a need to expand current recycling infrastructure in tandem with other CE practices to reduce plastic consumption and sustain environmental health for all.

Reviewing Circularity Indicators for a Sustainable Transition to a Circular Economy

The increase in global material demands while having finite natural reserves has made the transition from a linear to a Circular Economy (CE) more crucial. Various approaches have been proposed for such a transition, which closed-loop system is an approach aiming to maximize resource efficiency ensuring that materials are continually reused and recycled, thereby reducing waste and conserving resources. However, there are some obstacles/gaps in the implementation of CE practices, one of them is the lack of a proper Circularity assessment unit, as called Circularity Indicators (CIs). The CIs play a crucial role by enabling to quantify the success of circularity strategies. This paper critically reviews the existing CIs and introduces a novel scoring system that evaluates them against five main circularity categories. This scoring system allows for assessing CI's alignment with core CE principles. Our findings reveal that some CIs demonstrate broad applicability and robustness, while others have more narrowed focuses. This dementated the need for a unified CI that is versatile, comprehensive and integrates various 'R' strategies with the triple bottom line model of sustainability. This scoring system can be used in policy making and business strategy decisions to embed CE in new developments such that support sustainable development.

Circular economy strategies for permanent magnet motors in electric vehicles: Application of SWOT

The transition towards a circular economy (CE) has become crucial across industries, including the electric vehicle (EV) sector. With the rising demand for EVs and sustainable transportation, automotive manufacturers are challenged to establish CE practices for EVs, specifically concerning permanent magnet (PM) motors. This study identified and examined circular scenarios within the PM motor industry to address this challenge and provided planning strategies for PM motor recycling. The study adopted a two-stage research design, including exploration and evaluation phases and a SWOT analysis. The exploration phase contained two workshops to conceptualize the circular scenarios and explore different factors for SWOT analysis. In the evaluation phase, the weight and importance of each SWOT factor were defined using an expert-based ranking method. Among the key contributions, the study identified circular scenarios involving repurposing, reusing, and recycling within the EV sector. Secondly, the study discovered a wide range of internal and external factors influencing the successful recycling of PM motors. Thirdly, the study evaluated the recycling of PM motors by analyzing experts’ perceptions towards this scenario. Based on the findings, the study develops strategic strategies to help automotive companies transition to CE.

Adopting Digital Technology to Overcome Challenges of Circular Economy: A Case Study of Platform-based Start-up in India

Digital transformation is driving growth in a wide range of industries. At the same time, circular economy has gained traction as a means of optimizing resource utilization and augmenting profitability induced by innovations and operational efficiency. Academics, policy analysts and practicing managers have been keenly observing how digital technology relates to circular economy. This article examines how the Indian start-ups are trying to tackle the challenges posed by circular economy through adoption of digital technologies. The article also probes how implementation of digital technology and circular economy practices relate to each other in terms of improving operational efficiency and increasing productivity as well as profitability in the long run. The article is likely to enable the practicing managers to develop a holistic perspective on adopting digital technology with an eye on the gains accruing from circular economy. Academics and researchers can gain fresh insights from this article to carry out studies on implications of combing adoption of digital technology with circular economy.

Management of Household-Generated Construction and Demolition Waste: Circularity Principles and the Attitude of Latvian Residents

This study aims to investigate to what extent the construction and demolition waste generated by households is managed by the principles of circularity and to identify the main influencing factors in the behavior of households regarding the circularity-based management of construction waste in Latvia. The current research presents principles of circularity of household-generated waste based on a systematic literature review, and the data obtained from a survey were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. This study clarifies the circular economy rationale for construction and demolition waste (CDW) management in Latvia and proposes further development to promote the achievement of sustainable development goals and increased energy efficiency. The results reveal that the observance of circular economy principles in construction and demolition waste management among Latvian households does not correspond to good circular economy practices due to attitudes toward environmental issues, expenses, and logistics; thus, compliance with these principles and legislation as well as closer cooperation between municipalities and households can promote significant economic benefits.

A bibliometric analysis and review of green transformation

Purpose- The urgent need for environmental sustainability has propelled the world towards a paradigm shift known as the "green transformation". This transformative process aims to reconcile economic development with ecological balance by adopting a holistic approach towards sustainability. At its core, the green transformation revolves around the concept of a "green economy," wherein the production and consumption patterns are aligned with principles of environmental responsibility, resource efficiency, and social equity. Key elements of green transformation examine the various sectors that are undergoing significant changes, such as energy, transportation, agriculture, and urban planning, all driven by the goal of minimizing carbon emissions and ecological footprints. The green transformation seeks to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation by promoting renewable energy sources, implementing circular economy practices, and adopting clean technologies. Methodology- This study employed a bibliometric analysis to examine the existing literature on the investigation and application of green transformation. A total of 905 publications from Scopus and 645 publications from Web of Science databases is analysed. Findings- The findings revealed that interest in the concept of green transformation has grown significantly in academia, both in terms of volume and across various disciplines. Moreover, future research in the field of green transformation is expected to build upon current knowledge regarding technology and sustainability while exploring new frontiers, such as the impact of green transformation in digitalized environments. Conclusion- By employing cutting-edge technologies to delve into current research, this study offers valuable insights to comprehensively grasp recent findings on green transformation. It is important to note that the review's inclusiveness and comprehensiveness were constrained by the size of the selected literature. Keywords: Green transformation, bibliometric analysis, Web of Science, Scopus, VOSviewer JEL Codes: Q50, Q55, Q56

A Guide to People Management Practices Focused on the Circular Economy: A Theoretical Approach

Aims: The training and development of people is essential for the companies that want to adopt the Circular Economy, but little has been objectively discussed in the literature on the subject, leaving several gaps for research. Then, the main goal of this study is to identify the people management practices organizations must adopt for the circular economy to happen in their processes and businesses.
 Study Design: Literature review and analytical assessment.
 Place and Duration of Study: Estate of São Paulo, Brazil, companies, experts, and general literature, between June 2019 and July 2020.
 Methodology: The study used a theoretical approach to people management practices in the general context as well as in the context of the Circular Economy. Then, a subjective analysis of the interpretation was performed to find correspondence between standard requirements and Circular Economy practices. Finally, a conceptual model was created.
 Results: The Circular Economy was characterized as sustainable development, justifying the need for human resource management to be oriented toward the Circular Economy. It was shown that 20% of articles in the literature address the need for people management oriented towards the circular economy. The relationship of the thirty-one identified practices with the standard requirements was divided into four dimensions: Organizational Culture; People Development; Leadership; and Team Development. A conceptual model was built based on the identified practices and classified into the four dimensions.
 Conclusion: The leading practices that best contribute to the Circular Economy context are divided into four dimensions and are recommended to be adopted for the successful transition to the Circular Economy. This research contributes to the human resources management in organizations transitioning to a Circular Economy and fills a gap in the development of people for such transition. Academically, it presents a contribution to the studies of people management in the context of Circular Economy for the changing organizations.

Application of Fuzzy Topsis for Prioritizing Barriers to Circular Economy Adoption in the Automotive Sector: A Study in an Emerging Country

Acknowledging the substantial economic, social, and environmental impacts of sustainability and circular economy (CE) practices, their imperative role in the automotive industry cannot be overstated. Despite this significance, there is a lack of studies addressing these critical themes within the automotive sector. This paper aims to bridge this gap by providing an examination of the barriers hindering the adoption of CE principles, with a specific focus on the Brazilian automotive industry. A survey, involving 41 experts comprising 21 academics specializing in sustainability and CE, 16 experienced managers, and 4 directors with substantial automotive industry expertise, was conducted. The study identified and evaluated 12 barriers to CE adoption in the automotive sector based on the experts’ assessment using Fuzzy TOPSIS. The study's findings underscore the scarcity of professionals with sufficient knowledge and expertise), the absence of supportive public policies, and the inadequate commitment from leadership as the top three priority barriers. The research recommends targeted actions for companies, policymakers, and universities to collaboratively contribute towards overcoming these identified barriers and fostering a sustainable and circular trajectory for the automotive industry.

Criteria for Implementation of Circular Economy: Experiences from China and Implications for Vietnam

The global trend towards the development of a circular economy (CE) is of great significance, including for Vietnam. In recent years, Vietnam has made efforts to establish and improve its legal and policy framework related to CE. This research study aims to examine the evaluation criteria used for assessing CE development in China, a country that has achieved remarkable progress in this area. The findings of this study can provide valuable insights and serve as a crucial reference for Vietnam as it strives to formulate an evaluation criteria set for the effective implementation of the CE policies in the future. Building upon the experiences and lessons learned from the implementation of evaluation and monitoring criteria in China, this study also offers several recommendations for Vietnam's forthcoming implementation efforts. These recommendations encompass the development of comprehensive guidelines for data collection and computation of the evaluation index set, along with the establishment of transparent monitoring and auditing mechanisms for locally sourced data. Furthermore, fostering collaboration among relevant government agencies in data collection and consolidation is crucial. Specific communication strategies and reporting mechanisms tailored to local contexts should be devised, and nationally standardized reference values for evaluation criteria need to be established. Additionally, there is a need to design an evaluation criteria set specifically for the implementation of circular economy practices at the industrial park and enterprise levels in Vietnam.
 Keywords: Evaluation criteria, circular economy, China.

Risk analysis of adopting the circular economy practices: a perspective of resource-dependent theory

ABSTRACT The circular economy is gaining popularity among researchers and most of them have advocated the adoption of circular economy (CE) practices citing the various advantages. However, with the advantages of CE adoption, many risks are also associated with them, which require proper investigation. In this study, risk factors associated with circular economy practices are explored through the literature review and validated by experts from the cement industry. The main objective of this study is to assess and prioritise the risks associated with implementing circular economy practices in the cement industry. A fuzzy integrated Delphi Model and the Analytic Hierarchy Process are applied to screen and assess the risk factors in CE adoption. This study also explores how Resource-dependent theory (RDT) can provide insights into the interactions and dependencies among various organisations involved in CE practices. The novelty of this study is the assessment of the risks associated with the adoption of CE practices and validation in the cement industry.

Sustainable Particleboards Based on Brewer's Spent Grains.

Brewer's spent grain (BSG) is the main solid waste generated in beer production and primarily consists of barley malt husks. Based on the active promotion of circular economy practices aimed at recycling food industry by-products, this study assessed for the first time the production of particleboards based on BSG as the sole source of lignocellulosic material and natural adhesive without the use of additives or other substrates. In order to achieve particleboards from entirely sustainable sources, BSG particles have to self-bind by thermo-compression with water. In this context, the aim of this study is to assess the effects of pressing temperatures and particle size on properties such as modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, internal bond, thickness swelling, and water absorption. The performance of binderless boards was compared with that of a control panel (control) using BSG combined with phenolic resin. Processing conditions were selected to produce boards with a target density of 1000 kg/m³ and a thickness of 5 mm. To confirm the efficiency of the self-adhesion process, scanning electron microscopy was used to examine the boards. The processes of self-adhesion and particle-to-particle contact were facilitated at a pressing temperature of 170 °C and a particle size range of 200-2380 µm (ground BSG), resulting in improved flexural properties and enhanced water resistance. The properties of BSG-based binderless boards were comparable to those reported for other biomass residues, suggesting that they might be used in non-structural applications, such as interior decoration.

Electrochemical Valorization of Glycerol: Catalyst Development and Product Analysis

The growing interest in biofuels as a substitute for traditional fossil fuels has raised environmental concerns about the extensive production of their by-products. Among these by-product, Glycerol, which accounts for over 10% of the total by-products, resulted in the production of nearly 4 billion liters in 2020. (1) Glycerol is a polyol organic molecule, viscous, and water-soluble liquid that if not disposed of properly, it can have detrimental impacts on the environment, including soil and water pollution, ultimately contributing to an increase in the carbon footprint. Hence, addressing this growing concern has prompted a surge of interest in developing sustainable and economically viable techniques for converting glycerol into value-added products.The electrochemical glycerol oxidation reaction (GOR) is a cost-effective and reliable method to enable circular economy practices by selectively producing highly value-added products such as dihydroxyacetone, glyceric acid, and glycolic acid from glycerol. However, it requires the development of active, selective, and stable electrocatalysts to steer GOR at low overpotentials. To date, catalysts based on platinum group metals (PGMs) have outperformed other GOR catalysts in terms of activity. However, in addition to the high cost of fabrication, these catalysts are susceptible to surface poisoning by glycerol intermediates, thereby impeding their commercialization due to the absence of long-term stability. (2) As a result, developing electrocatalysts based on earth-abundant element has become the focal point in GOR catalyst research.Here in, we highlight the latest advancements in the development of low-PGM content GOR catalysts. Our discussion focuses on the strategies for understanding how the type and concentration of PGM can influence selectivity, with a particular emphasis on the significance of GOR overpotentials. We also aim to highlight the inconsistencies in GOR product analyses, specifically regarding the use of H-NMR analysis, with an ultimate goal of advancing accurate GOR product quantification. References Nomanbhay S, Hussein R, Ong MY. Sustainability of biodiesel production in Malaysia by production of bio-oil from crude glycerol using microwave pyrolysis: a review. Green Chemistry Letters and Reviews. 2018;11(2):135-57. Li T, Harrington DA. An Overview of Glycerol Electrooxidation Mechanisms on Pt, Pd and Au. ChemSusChem. 2021;14(6):1472-95.

A systematic review on sustainable E-waste management: challenges, circular economy practices, and a conceptual framework

PurposeWaste generated from electrical and electronic equipment, collectively known as E-waste, remains a persistent environmental, economic and social problem. Sustainable E-waste management (EWM) has numerous benefits, such as preventing electronic waste from entering landfills, reducing the need for virgin materials by recovering valuable materials from recycling and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Circular economy (CE) practices are considered the initial steps toward sustainable EWM, but some hurdles have been reported in the adoption of these practices. Therefore, the current study aims to identify the common CE practices, sustainability of the EWM process and the challenges in EWM, and to develop a conceptual framework for effective EWM.Design/methodology/approachVery few studies have proposed frameworks that acknowledge the challenges and CE practices of EWM. To fill this gap, a systematic literature review (SLR) was performed, and 169 research articles were explored.FindingsA total of seven challenges in the adoption of effective EWM were identified: rules and policy, infrastructure, consumer behaviour, informal sectors, community culture, technology and economy. Eight common CE practices were also found for effective EWM: reuse, recycle, remanufacturing, refurbishment, repair, reduce, recover and repurpose.Originality/valueA conceptual framework guiding sustainable EWM was proposed, which includes solutions for the identified challenges, and CE practices with sustainable benefits.

Circular Pathways to Sustainable Development: Understanding the Links between Circular Economy Indicators, Economic Growth, Social Well-Being, and Environmental Performance in EU-27

The transition towards the circular economy (CE) is one of the major priorities of the European Union (EU). By observing its benefits through the prism of sustainable development, this study aims to reveal the intricate relationships between the CE and the economy–society–environment nexus across 27 EU countries during the period from 2012 to 2020. Utilizing an extensive dataset comprising 243 observations drawn from the EUROSTAT database, we employed a panel data analysis. In this research, we quantified the impact of CE indicators on key dependent variables: GDP per capita (economic dimension), mortality, morbidity, and the welfare cost associated with exposure to environment-related risks (social dimension) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the environmental realm. The findings of our study illuminate the multifaceted connections between circular economy practices and the broader goals of sustainable development within the EU-27 context. The CE indicators aggregated at the EU level not only have a beneficial impact on the economy but also on society and the environment. The analysis reveals that each of the six explanatory variables incorporated into the models exhibits the anticipated relationship with at least one of the outcome variables. This research contributes valuable insights for policymakers, public authorities, and other stakeholders seeking to enhance the circular economy landscape in respective countries.

ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS IN THE AGE OF 4IR: SPOTLIGHT ON SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH

The study presents an overview of ecological Economics in the Age of 4IR with spotlight on Sustainability Initiatives in the Global South. This study delves into the intersection of ecological economics, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), and sustainable development initiatives in the Global South. It explores the environmental implications of key 4IR technologies, analyzes economic shifts associated with the digital age, and investigates sustainability initiatives in the Global South. The study highlights successful projects in renewable energy, circular economy practices, and biodiversity conservation, showcasing the region's commitment to ecological and economic sustainability. Challenges and opportunities are discussed, emphasizing the role of inclusive innovation and global cooperation in shaping a future that harmonizes technological advancements with environmental well-being. The study concludes by underscoring the importance of the Global South in influencing a sustainable trajectory in the age of the 4IR.
 Keywords: Ecological; Economics; 4IR; Sustainability; Global South.

A C-Lean framework for deploying Circular Economy in manufacturing SMEs

The adoption of Circular Economy (CE) is challenging, especially for manufacturing SMEs. Without SMEs, CE’s full spectrum cannot be realised, since they contribute to around 50% of the national GDP, globally. This research proposes a novel framework (C-Lean) to facilitate the implementation of CE in manufacturing SMEs by combining the principles of CE and Lean, as both foci on waste elimination and value creation/preservation. The framework utilises Lean tools/methods mingled with CE principles to achieve circularity, efficiency and effectiveness in manufacturing SMEs. The proposed framework was conceptually developed based on an extensive review of the existing scholarly literature and verified by a panel of field experts, through a Delphi study, from academia and industry. The model was further validated to assess its practical relevance through a case study approach in an SME manufacturing company. The results derived from the verification and validation of the proposed C-Lean framework suggest that CE can be effectively and efficiently adopted through its amalgamation with Lean. The C-Lean framework provides a systematic approach for manufacturing SMEs to simultaneously adopt CE and Lean practices in their existing operations. The proposed C-Lean framework can support and guide managers in the concurrent deployment of CE and Lean for their organisations to enhance both their operational and sustainability performance. This research provides a novel framework that converges CE and Lean as no such framework exists to date. C-Lean is attractive for manufacturing SMEs due to its dual nature of achieving operations excellence in a sustainable circular manner.

Design for Circular Economy in a Strong Sustainability Paradigm

Given the strategic role of design when addressing societal changes and its prominence in the circular economy (CE) discourse and practice during the past decade, a plethora of tools and methods is nowadays available to support organizations in the transition from a linear model of production to a circular one. The need for an intersection of CE, corporate sustainability, strategic design and strong sustainability is gaining momentum. Considering (a) the critical voices pointing out several limitations to the CE concept, (b) the call for linking CE to a strong sustainability paradigm and (c) the implementation mechanisms for an effective contribution to sustainable development, the focus of this research is to address the gap in CE and circular design frameworks due to missing elements therein for its successful implementation, using a Delphi method approach. Our results strongly suggest that the current CE and circular design concepts and practices are insufficient to meet the challenge of addressing strong sustainability, and new models are needed. To conclude, a new definition of design for CE in a strong sustainability paradigm and a first approach to the main elements of the new model assisted by guiding principles are proposed.

Exploring symbiotic supply chains dynamics

Symbiotic Supply Chains – where the inputs of some members belonging to one supply chain are obtained using the waste generated by other companies in a different supply chain – represent a great opportunity for companies to move towards the Circular Economy paradigm. However, the dynamic behavior of Symbiotic Supply Chains (i.e., how detrimental time-varying phenomena of supply chains, such as the bullwhip effect, impact the performance) remains largely unknown. In this work we aim to contribute to this quite unexplored research field by analyzing the dynamics of two supply chains that implement, at the manufacturer level, a symbiotic exchange of waste. We derive closed analytical equations to estimate several indicators of the bullwhip effect under different information sharing scenarios and evaluate them for different coefficients of circularity (i.e. the average proportion of the output of one supply chain that is obtained using the waste of the other supply chain). Furthermore, we extend our analysis by carrying out a simulation study, when some underlying assumptions are removed, and a full-factorial Design of Experiments to emulate and explore the behavior of Symbiotic Supply Chains under further real-life scenarios. By doing so, we identify different properties of Symbiotic Supply Chains and provide some managerial implications. Among those, we observe how the bullwhip effect of one supply chain propagates to the other, which is also greatly influenced by the variability of the demand in both supply chains. Also, we note that high coefficient of circularity does not necessary improve the dynamic performance of Symbiotic Supply Chains. Results point out to the need to carefully design symbiotic exchange in supply chains to avoid undesirable effects that may hinder the advocated advantages of Circular Economy practices.

The role of digital transformation in supply chain efficiency and economic output.

From the perspective of sustainable supply chain management (SSCM), this research looks at the key elements influencing how small- and medium-sized companies (SMEs) move toward a circular economy (CE). This research aims to understand the elements that influence SMEs to embrace CE principles and determine the real-world applications of SSCM practices. This research gathered and analyzed data from diverse European SMEs working inside CE networks using a mixed-method approach. We received answers from several of these firms using a survey form sent and emailed to them. The replies were then assessed using an independent t test to account for any biases. We used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) for the validity assessment, compound consistency, and corrected-item-total association measures to validate the model's validity and reliability. According to our research, SMEs are influenced significantly by societal pressures, green economic incentives, and environmental dedication when deciding whether to adopt CE practices. Our study further emphasizes the importance of SSCM for SMEs' successful transition to a CE model, especially regarding resource and waste management efficiency. This work contributes to the corpus of research on the topic by providing empirical support for the function of SSCM in easing the transition towards CE in the setting of SMEs. The results might serve as a reference for managers and policymakers as they create plans to encourage SMEs to embrace CE practices and to emphasize the advantages of such a change on the economic, social, and environmental fronts. Putting a particular emphasis on the vital roles that public pressure, green financial incentives, and ecological dedication play, this research provides insights into the complex interactions between SSCM and CE transition in SMEs. Further study is needed to examine how these determinants could fluctuate across various industries and geographies.

Breaking barriers: Assessing technology transfer for climate-resilient development

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) promotes technology transfer between developed and developing countries as a crucial tool for limiting global temperature rise. This climate change mitigation role of technology transfers has attracted extensive research on the barriers to technology transfer. However, a thematic analysis consolidating the diverse data is lacking. This study aims to fill this gap by conducting a thematic analysis of the barriers to technology transfer, which will consolidate and disseminate information to enhance the chances of successful technology transfer. The study employs a non-time-restricted thematic analysis of the barriers to technology transfer spanning 1990–2023. After analysing a diverse pool of secondary data, 285 codes revealed six primary themes: Organization and knowledge, Government and law, Investment and finance, Consumer and market, Infrastructure and development, and Climate and others. The primary themes of Organization and knowledge (OK) and Government and law (GL), with frequency scores of 108 and 69, respectively, are identified as the top two barriers. Furthermore, within these primary themes of OK and GL, the subbarriers of System and technical and Political issues, with frequency scores of 53 and 26, are the most frequently cited barriers. Addressing the technology transfer barriers identified in this study improves climate resilience and aligns with global climate initiatives such as the Paris Agreement and the "New Global Financing" initiative. Therefore, the study findings can contribute to UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 and the implementation of circular economy practices.