Circular Economy Practices Research Articles

Operationalizing the Circular Economy—A Longitudinal Study on Sustained Circular Action

Circularity is becoming increasingly important for Distribution System Operators (DSOs) as their infrastructure ages and needs replacement, alongside compliance with stringent environmental regulations like the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). However, implementing circular economy (CE) practices is challenging due to the fragmented nature of the current CE landscape and its limited interaction with practical application. A longitudinal case study at the Dutch DSO, Liander, focusing on the circularity of distribution transformers, was conducted to generate prescriptive knowledge on operationalizing circularity. This resulted in the formulation of six design propositions for circular action that suggest to (1) initiate small-scale circularity experiments; (2) involve technical and strategic experts; (3) synergize circularity with more urgent, primary goals; (4) translate circular initiatives bottom-up and top-down; (5) collaborate with other DSOs; and (6) create multidisciplinary teams. The propositions suggest to situationally select interventions and build upon the outcomes of previous interventions in order to incrementally contribute to circular change. Other DSOs could use these propositions to optimize their strategy toward circular action. Additionally, the findings contribute to advancing scientific knowledge to implementable actions in order to initiate and sustain circular change.

Retraction Note: Industry 4.0 technology and circular economy practices: business management strategies for environmental sustainability.

Retraction Note: Industry 4.0 technology and circular economy practices: business management strategies for environmental sustainability.

A Digital Framework for the Implementation of the Circular Economy in the Construction Sector: Expert Opinions

The construction sector plays a significant role in resource consumption and waste generation, making the transition to a circular economy (CE) imperative for sustainability in this sector. This paper focuses on developing a framework for implementing CE principles in the construction sector, guided by expert opinions and insights. The main objective of this study was to enhance existing theoretical frameworks by incorporating feedback from construction experts to improve practical utility and applicability in real-world construction practices. By addressing key areas for enhancement, the revised framework facilitates the adoption of CE practices throughout the asset lifecycle, considering buildings from cradle to cradle. This research’s methodology involved a comprehensive literature review to identify gaps in current frameworks related to CE implementation in the construction sector. Unstructured interviews with twenty construction experts were conducted to gather insights and recommendations for framework improvement. Data analysis highlighted the importance of integrating CE principles at various stages of the asset lifecycle, such as design, construction, and end-of-life phases. The key recommendations from experts include incorporating sustainable approaches, aligning with BIM models, and considering whole-life design aspects to promote circularity in the construction sector. By incorporating expert feedback and industry insights, the framework aims to guide practitioners toward more sustainable and resource-efficient construction practices, contributing to the broader field of CE implementation in the built environment.

Consumer Protection Frameworks by Enhancing Market Fairness, Accountability and Transparency (FAT) for Ethical Consumer Decision-Making: Integrating Circular Economy Principles and Digital Transformation in Global Consumer Markets

This research explores the evolving role of consumer protection laws for enhancing market fairness, accountability, and transparency (FAT) to facilitate informed consumer decision-making within the digital economy. Exploring international standards by The United Nations Guidelines for Consumer Protection (UNGCP), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the United Nations on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), as well as regional initiatives like the European Commission's, the study investigates circular economy principles for consumer resilience and marginalized groups such as low-income populations and rural communities. Utilizing a normative and exploratory research approach, data is gathered from global policy documents and scholarly sources. Comparative qualitative analysis is conducted to identify standard practices. The significance of adopting consumer protection frameworks to study the intricacies of digital transactions and environmental sustainability and its impact on consumer protection law, which will help citizens make informed decisions. This study highlights innovative strategies, such as the OECD’s guidelines for e-commerce and national policies promoting circular economy principles. By exploring case studies from countries like Germany, the Netherlands, China, Japan, India and Oman for circular economy practices and Sweden, the United States, Armenia, Australia and Oman for financial sector improvements, the research provides the framework for improving consumer protection policies globally.

Factors Influencing Circular Economy Practices in Building Construction Projects In Ondo State, Nigeria

Factors Influencing Circular Economy Practices in Building Construction Projects In Ondo State, Nigeria

Towards a Place-based Approach to Circular Innovation

This Letter proposes a place-based approach to circular innovation. The original concept, as discussed by Cherrington et al. (2023), views ‘circular innovation’ as a strategy for sustainable development, focusing on resource efficiency and the regeneration of natural systems. However, we argue that it overlooks the significance of ‘place.’ This Letter argues that local conditions and contexts are crucial for effectively implementing circular innovations and maximizing their benefits. It advocates for tailoring circular strategies to local dynamics, leveraging local resources, and fostering community involvement. We identify five ‘loops’ that define a place-based approach to circular innovation, namely resource loops, social loops, economic loops, ecological loops, and policy loops. We argue that such a place-based approach supports the creation of localized, circular economies, emphasizing the importance of understanding and integrating the unique attributes of different locales into circular economy practices and policies.

Are university students really hungry for sustainability? A choice experiment on new food products from circular economy

Consumers are demonstrating increasing awareness towards initiatives promoting sustainable practices in the food sector. This is particularly pronounced among university students, a segment known for its receptivity to sustainability initiatives. Utilizing a choice experiment, this study examines the Italian students’ preferences for fruit juice produced by a hypothetical company. Specifically, the research explicitly assesses the premium price attributable to a circular economy certification—a relatively new standard—in comparison with the widely recognized and appreciated organic certification. Furthermore, the study evaluates the potential additive value of possessing both certifications jointly. Results indicate that consumers are willing to pay a premium for products labelled with circular economy attributes. However, in the presence of an organic certification, the additive value of the circular economy certification is diminished by more than half. Finally, consumers who have received environmental training demonstrate a higher premium for such products, highlighting the role of education in promoting sustainable choices. These findings suggest that a potential market exists for circular economy-certified products, providing an incentive for businesses to adopt circular economy practices. Environmental training plays a relevant role in fostering sustainable transitions, thereby underscoring the significance of education in shaping conscious consumer behaviour.

Best Practices of circular economy as benchmarks for SMEs manufacturing sectorin Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico

The objective of this research is to identify the best business practices, actions and laws of Circular Economy at national and international level in manufacturing companies, which serve as a reference to adopt them to SMEs at the local level. It is a qualitative and descriptive research by documentary analysis to collect data in books, scientific journals, newsletters and newspapers, on environmental management in detection and evaluation of waste and residues generated in the production chain. The main countries that have implemented Circular Economy were analyzed, finding as a result laws and regulations that are a guide, due to the good practices implemented by some companies. In Mexico, large companies have initiated relevant actions and practices; these findings provide information that could be useful for awareness-raising and technical assistance actions for the development of capacities of SMEs in Tijuana, Baja California towards their transition to the Circular Economy.

Exploring the barriers to implement industrial symbiosis in the apparel manufacturing industry: Implications for sustainable development

Industrial symbiosis, a promising approach for sustainable industrial practices, has garnered attention in recent days for its ability to enhance resource efficiency, minimize waste, and preserve the environment through collaborative exchanges among industries. In emerging economies like Bangladesh, integrating industrial symbiosis in the manufacturing industries offers the potential to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability. However, this integration encounters various barriers that complicate the implementation. Despite research on industrial symbiosis in robust economies, studies on emerging and developed economies are still scarce. To date, no research has yet investigated the barriers hindering the performance of industrial symbiosis in the Bangladeshi apparel manufacturing sector. To address this gap, this study integrates the Bayes theorem and the Best-Worst Method to identify and prioritize barriers to the Bangladeshi apparel manufacturing sector. From extensive literature reviews and expert validation, 17 barriers were identified. Findings reveal the “lack of technology and infrastructure readiness” as the most significant barrier, followed by “lack of inter-company cooperation” and “lack of management support”. Conquering these barriers empowers emerging economies to fortify the apparel manufacturing sector's resilience, resource efficiency, and environmental performance while fostering sustainable development via circular economy practices. This study is expected to guide policymakers and stakeholders in crafting targeted strategies for promoting steady growth and sustainable development in the apparel manufacturing sector of emerging economies like Bangladesh.

Exploring the potential of waste biomass-derived pectin and its functionalized derivatives for water treatment

Environmental pollution remains a constant challenge due to the indiscriminate use of fossil fuels, mining activities, chemicals, drugs, aromatic compounds, pesticides, etc. Many emerging pollutants with no fixed standards for monitoring and control are being reported. These have adverse impacts on human life and the environment around us. This alarms the wastewater management towards developing materials that can be used for bulk water treatment and are easily available, low cost, non-toxic and biodegradable.Waste biomass like pectin is extracted from fruit peels which are a discarded material. It is used in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications but its application as a material for water treatment is very limited in literature. The scientific gap in literature review reports are evident with discussion only on pectin based hydrogels or specific pectin derivatives for some applications. This review focuses on the chemistry, extraction, functionalization and production of pectin derivatives and their applications in water treatment processes. Pectin functionalized derivatives can be used as a flocculant, adsorbent, nano biopolymer, biochar, hybrid material, metal-organic frameworks, and scaffold for the removal of heavy metals, ions, toxic dyes, and other contaminants. The huge quantum of pectin biomass may be explored further to strengthen environmental sustainability and circular economy practices.

Effects of circular economy practices on sustainable firm performance of green garments

Research background: The concept of sustainable firm performance has gained significant interest within the highly competitive business arena. There has been a significant increase in the adoption and implementation of circular economy practices by industries. If a company can implement an established approach to circular economy practices, it may expedite the attainment of sustainable corporate performance. This research is conducted in the context of ready-made garment organizations that are following green criteria in their business activities. The study focuses on an emerging South Asian country, Bangladesh, as it holds a strong position in the global apparel and garment market; it is imperative to assess and ensure the environmental maintenance of this country’s garment sector. Purpose of the article: The purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between circular economy practices and sustainable organizational performance. The study focuses on the contributory relationship of circular economy practices on three-dimensional sustainable performance, i.e. on environmental, financial, and social performance. Method: This is a quantitative survey-based study; a total of 418 managers were selected to participate. Primary data was collected through a structured questionnaire given to a sample of permanent managers of green garment organizations in Bangladesh. For data input and analysis, SPSS and PLS-SEM software were used. Findings & value added: The results of our study demonstrate a noteworthy relationship between circular economy practices and sustainable performance. This research enhances our comprehension of the efficacy of circular economy practices in addressing environmental issues. The study examines the potential ramifications of implementing circular economy practices for policymakers in the green garment sector, which is known for its significant labor-intensive activities, and ranks as the country's second-largest contributor. The outcomes provide a distinctive perspective for adding value to the environmental concerns in emerging economies. Thus, through an investigation of circular economy practices, our research provides valuable insights for the market of global garment products concerning the environment, resource maximization, energy saving, and circular production processes.

An Exploratory Study on Circular Economy in Pakistan Textile Sector: Antecedents, Barriers and Implementation

The textile sector is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and have major contribution to GDP and employment rates. There is need to implement circular economy practices in this sector for more output. In this regard, this study is conducted to identify the barriers which are obstacles for the implementation of circular economy practices in the textile sector of Pakistan and identified the drivers which can implement circular economy practices in this sector. In the next forty years, the demand for primary raw materials will double due to population growth. Recycling and other measures were implemented several years ago to alleviate the climate emergency. There is need to replace the linear economy with a circular economy. The qualitative research design is employed to gather information through interviews by using grounded analysis. Different Drivers are explored in this study who can bring Circular Economy practices in the textile sector and barriers are identified in this study. The study will have implications for Policy Makers, Government officials, and economists.

Green Logistics Practices Toward a Circular Economy: A Way to Sustainable Development

This research investigates the effects of green logistics practices on the sustainability performance of manufacturing enterprises in Oman, with a particular focus on the mediating role of circular economy practices. Analyzing data from 220 manufacturing companies through the PLS-SEM method, the findings reveal that green logistics management significantly enhances an organization’s sustainability and adherence to circular economy principles. Notably, while supply chain trackability greatly impacts circular economy practices, it does not moderate the relationship between sustainable performance and green logistics. This study enhances the understanding of how green logistics can support sustainable development and the implementation of circular economy practices in the manufacturing sector

The impact of TOURISM and seasonality on different types of municipal solid waste (MSW) generation: The case of Ibiza

Most studies analysing waste generation consider the impact on the resident population; however, in the case of tourist destinations, it is important to differentiate the impact between the local population and tourists. This research separates these two population groups using the stochastic impacts by regression on population, affluence and technology (STIRPAT) model for the case of Ibiza. The results confirm different waste generation patterns in tourist and non-tourist populations depending on the waste type (non-sorted and sorted). Moreover, our analysis found that the amount of waste generated per person decreased over time, demonstrating the growth of circular economy practices in the destination. Furthermore, the STIRPAT model highlights the development of a circular economy, showing a downward trend in the generation of non-sorted waste and a positive trend towards collecting recyclable materials. Finally, the results confirm that waste generation patterns vary by season, population, and waste type. Additionally, for both populations, there is a reduction in per capita non-sorted waste generation (this is more significant for the non-tourist population). In contrast, per capita sorted waste generation has increased for both types of population.

How Do Local Governments Interpret International Norms on Sustainable Development in Circular Economy Practices?

As a program that can support a healthy economy, CE has an essential role in changing the face of cities. CE is considered to have a close relationship with the SDGs, SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production. The application of CE in different cities also allows the emergence of various policy models, each of which seeks to answer the city's unique challenges. This research seeks to map the state-of-the-art of CE, SDG 12, and cities. The research method used for the mapping is a systematic literature review using Mendeley's website as a database. This research finds that CE and SDGs are correlated through the norms of sustainable development but that the relationship between CE and sustainable development is itself a tool-and-target relationship. In addition, through best practices from 6 cities that have implemented CE, three types of determinants can be identified that can drive the transition to CE, multi-actor symbiosis, restoration and preservation of public spaces, and internalization of CE cultural values. Makassar City has much potential through Sustainable Development-based policies such as "Five Star TPA" and "Lorong Garden".

The Circular Economy Practices in the European Union: Eco-Innovation and Sustainable Development

The Circular Economy Practices in the European Union: Eco-Innovation and Sustainable Development

Challenges and perspectives of the circular economy in the European Union: A comparative analysis of the member states

This study features a comprehensive analysis of the status of the circular economy (CE) in the 27 member states of the European Union (EU) and focuses on the CE composite indicator and its specific sub-indicators. The results reveal overall improvements in the implementation of the CE in the period of 2012–2021, although there are significant variations between member countries. Germany is the current leader regarding the use of CE practices, followed by Italy, France, and Belgium. However, there are also notable gaps in critical areas, such as waste management, competitiveness, innovation, and overall sustainability. The study also identifies key factors that influence the implementation of the CE, such as by-product exports, investment in research and development, and waste-management policies. The cluster analysis groups countries into four categories to provide a more detailed view of regional disparities. These findings underline the need for coordinated action at the national and European levels to address remaining challenges and to move towards a more circular and sustainable economy across Europe.

The role of blockchain platform in enabling circular economy practices

AbstractThe circular economy concept is gaining increasing prominence in academic, corporate, and government circles; however, its dissemination is still limited. There is a lack of studies that address strategies, practices, and enabling technologies guided by the principles of developing processes and products for a more rational use of natural resources, reducing consumption, or promoting their recovery. Technological resources can be a crucial issue in enabling the implementation of circular practices. Companies need to plan IT infrastructure and collaborative platforms that can connect them with different stakeholders and leverage digital technologies such as blockchain. This study aims to analyze platforms based on blockchain technology and their contribution to the implementation of circular economy practices, identifying the design, platform functionalities, and how the platforms are being integrated into companies' circular economy programs. The research approach was qualitative, using multiple case studies. The results indicate that blockchain technology helps achieve circular economy practices by bringing transparency to the system and improving market position. The study also contributes to the emerging platform literature by exploring blockchain platforms with functionalities linked to executing circular practices such as Tokens and NFTs in the context of sustainability.

A diverse, unbiased group decision-making framework for assessing drivers of the circular economy and resilience in an agri-food supply chain

The circular economy (CE) and supply chain resilience have received significant scientific attention in the recent supply chain literature. Incorporating CE practices and resilience practices into a supply chain enables companies to address their sustainability goals. This research explores the joint impact of implementing CE practices and resilience practices in an agri-food supply chain in Peru. The synergetic assessment of CE practices and resilience practices in a supply chain constitutes a multi-criteria decision-making challenge, requiring the involvement of subject-matter experts. Most studies have selected subject-matter experts based on the researchers’ convenience, which may lead to biased evaluations by some experts, resulting in unreliable study results. To mitigate potential bias, this research introduces a new framework named Diverse and Unbiased Group Decision-Making (DUGDM). Subsequently, the study examines the interaction between the drivers of CE and resilience using the Grey-DEMATEL method. The results indicate that drivers, such as the economic growth level, agricultural contamination, and collaborative operation of multiple firms are most influential in the successful integration of circular economy and resilience into a Peruvian agri-food supply chain system.

Assessing the Potential for Valorisation of a Pulp and Paper Industry Byproduct for the Construction of Unpaved Forest Roads: A Geotechnical Perspective

Integration of sustainability into industry has encouraged practices of circular economy, reusing and recycling resources. This paper studies alternative solutions to materials traditionally used for unpaved roads, with a byproduct of the pulp and paper industry (not pre-treated), and analyses its valorisation potential from a geotechnical perspective. Two approaches were adopted: (1) assessment of geotechnical properties of base materials (aggregate, local soil and byproduct) and mixtures (aggregate/local soil and byproduct, 3% or 6%); (2) design of the base layer (case study), considering different solutions for the material forming that layer, assessing its height and life cycle. The small incorporation percentages studied changed the geotechnical properties of aggregate and local soil, reducing sensitivity to water and increasing the water content for optimum compaction. The CBR of mixtures reduced with the incorporation of the byproduct. For the case study, incorporation of byproduct (6% maximum) in the local soil did not significantly affect the base layer height. Total replacement with the byproduct is mechanically possible. For the fixed height of the base layer, incorporating the byproduct in traditional materials reduced the unpaved road life cycle, reflecting CBR reductions. From a geotechnical perspective, the valorisation of this byproduct is promising, and from an industry point of view, its use (geotechnical valorisation) represents a way to promote circular economy and sustainability.