Circular Economy Project Research Articles

The limits of the loops: critical environmental politics and the Circular Economy

ABSTRACT Circular Economy (CE) is now a key governance framework that aims to reconfigure how value is extracted from resources. Despite its widespread uptake, CE commentary to date tends towards descriptive and/or celebratory. In response, in this paper I outline some ways that environmental politics researchers have much to contribute to CE research, arguing that current examples of CE policies and practices potentially accelerate resource use into this century. A key weakness is how proponents frame us all as particular forms of ‘user-consumers’. Such framings fail to account for what is at stake for all of us as part of the CE project: and I conclude this paper by posing several key research questions, to encourage more critical environmental politics research on and around issues of CE.

Should carbon removal be treated as waste management? Lessons from the cultural history of waste

Carbon dioxide is a waste product of combusting fossil fuels, and its accumulation in the atmosphere presents a planetary hazard. Carbon dioxide is also managed and used as a resource. Emerging technologies like direct air capture present the opportunity to reclaim and re-use wasted carbon, and actors in industry and policy are increasingly understanding carbon capture, utilization and storage as a waste management process. What is the value, and the danger, of conceptualizing CO2 as a waste to be managed? This paper looks at the historical evolution of solid and liquid waste regimes to draw lessons for the future evolution of a gaseous waste regime. It finds that social decisions to clean up solid and liquid waste were driven by both culture and industry. Views of recycling and sanitation did not evolve smoothly, with recycling falling in and out of favour, and sanitation experiencing conflict between public and private actors. An earlier attempt to revalue waste as part of a circular economy—the 1930s scientific and industrial field of chemurgy—failed to become a durable term and movement. These experiences hold important takeaways for negative emissions technologies and carbon removal policy: technocratic ideas about resource management may not take hold without a broader popular movement, as in the case of chemurgy, but value change and technology development can support each other, as in the case of wastewater infrastructure. Scientists and carbon removal policy advocates have an opportunity to contextualize CO2 waste management within the struggles and goals of the larger circular economy project, and to focus simultaneously on both waste production and waste disposal.

Aineellisen politiikka kiertotaloudessa

Kiertotalouden edistäminen on 2010-luvun lopulla nostettu Suomessa keskeiseksi politiikkatavoitteeksi. Materiaalivirtojen sulkeutumista yleisellä tasolla kuvaavat kiertotalousmallit eivät kuitenkaan tarjoa selkeitä ohjenuoria siihen, millä tavoin ja kenen toimesta kiertotaloussiirtymä tapahtuu. Me kysymme tässä artikkelissa, mitä kiertotalouspilottien tutkimuksella voi oppia kiertotalouden edistämiseen liittyvistä laajemmista yhteiskunnallisista jännitteistä. Analyysimme kohteena on yhden kiertotalouden pioneeriyrityksen kamppailu lannan muuntamiseksi sikatalouden tuottamasta haitallisesta ylijäämästä hyödyntämiskelpoiseksi ravinnetuotteeksi ja energiantuotannon raaka-aineeksi. Tutkimme, millaisiin aineellisiin järjestyksiin toimijat törmäävät etsiessään ratkaisuja kiertotalouden peruskysymykseen, ylijäämäisten materiaalien muuntamiseen resurssiksi. Tarkastelemme kokeiltuja kiertotalousratkaisuja metabolisia suhteita uudelleen järjestelevinä teknologioina, jotka ovat poliittisia siinä mielessä, että ne pyrkivät avaamaan uusia tulevaisuuspolkuja intensiiviselle eläintuotannolle. Samalla ne törmäävät erilaisiin olemassa olevaa yhteiskunnallista järjestystä ylläpitäviin hallinnan teknologioihin ja kategorisointeihin, kuten ympäristötukijärjestelmään. Näiden törmäysten kautta paljastuu sellaisia kiertotaloussiirtymään liittyviä yhteiskunnallisia jännitteitä, jotka eivät artikuloidu poliittisilla areenoilla määrittelykamppailuina tai konflikteina. Väitämme, että konkreettisten kiertotalouspyrkimysten analyysi nostaa esille sen intressien, solidaarisuuksien ja historiallisten polkuriippuvuuksien kirjon, joka yleisen tason poliittisissa kiertotalousohjelmissa peittyy markkinointipuheen taakse.

An Internet of Things‐enabled decision support system for circular economy business model

AbstractThe traditional linear economy using a take‐make‐dispose model is resource intensive and has adverse environmental impacts. Circular economy (CE) which is regenerative and restorative by design is recommended as the business model for resource efficiency. While there is a need for businesses and organisations to switch from linear to CE, there are several challenges that needs addressing such as business models and the criticism of CE projects often being small scale. Technology can be an enabler toward scaling up CE; however, the prime challenge is to identify technologies that can allow predicting, tracking and proactively monitoring product's residual value to motivate businesses to pursue circularity decisions. In this paper, we propose an IoT‐enabled decision support system (DSS) for CE business model that effectively allows tracking, monitoring, and analysing products in real time with the focus on residual value. The business model is implemented using an ontological model. This model is complemented by a semantic decision support system. The semantic ontological model, first of its kind, is evaluated for technical compliance. We applied DSS and the ontological model in a real‐world use case and demonstrate viability and applicability of our approach.

The System of Public-Private Partnership in the Sphere of State Policy Implementation of Circular Economy

Purpose: The aim of research is to study the system of interaction between the state and the private sector and provide improvement recommendations in order to ensure implementation of the state policy about the circular economy.Design/methodology/approach: The research uses scientific methods of analysis and synthesis to form a system of projects of the circular economy on the basis of public-private partnership, as well as methods of generalization and grouping to improve the components of the public administration mechanisms. Findings: The article substantiates the necessity of developing publicprivate partnership in the direction of projects for the modernization and development of the real economy sector, in the particular implementation of circular economy projects. A system of public-private partnership to ensure the implementation of the state policy of the circular economy has been built. Research and practical implications: The practical significance of scientific results lies in substantiatin g the approach to improving publicprivate partnership in general, and creating a system of public-private partnership in the circular economy in particular, which is a prerequisite for motivating businesses to implement projects, as it allows the latter to gain competitive advantage in a market economy. Originality/value: The system of realization of circular economy projects on the basis of public-private partnership is formed, including: definition of the concept of “public-private partnership in the circular economy”, the ways and forms of its realization, and the mechanisms of state management of circular economy projects on the basis of publicprivate partnership. Paper type: original research.

Reflections on Service Learning for a Circular Economy Project in a Guatemalan Neighborhood, Central America

The research presented in this paper explored multiple objectives. First, what are the requirements for establishing a new composting business that embraces the principles of circular economy? Second, how can employment opportunities for at-risk youths from the most impoverished neighborhood in Guatemala City be created, while adhering to the tenets of social sustainability, of which human rights is the corner stone? Third, what were the requirements involved in making compost in the challenging climatic conditions of Guatemala City? And finally, from an educational perspective, how can this be taught to university students incorporating community service learning in its pedagogy, coupled with the model of action research? What are the obstacles to overcome when initiating a startup business, balancing what appeared to be a mix of complex economic, environmental, and social elements? These three elements are the recognized pillars of sustainability, and as such, there existed a great opportunity to meld the principles of circular economy, community service learning, and action research within the context of putting theories into practice. This applied research attempted to explore how effectively this could be accomplished in Guatemala while overcoming complex cultural, environmental, and economic barriers.

A Critical Assessment of the EU Circular Economy Action Plan in the Light of the Access to Finance for Circular Economy Projects

As sustainability concerns advocate for a rapid deployment of circular economy, preserving and recovering the so-called ‘critical raw materials’ and minimising plastics waste, the European Commission issued an EU action plan for the Circular Economy in 2015 with two subsequent reports on its implementation. The focus of the action plan has been threefold: product design, facilitating durability of the products and waste management, while determining five priority areas of action and highlighting the need for financing the transition to a more circular economy. The latter has been seen as an accelerator for the deployment of circular economy, mentioned in the framework of creation of new circular business models and in the waste management framework. While it has been repeatedly highlighted that there is a need for extensive financing (an estimated EUR 320 billion by 2025) for a systemic transition to circular economy to come about (with estimated combined benefits of such shift of EUR 500 billion), the focus of the report has been on providing such finance in the current ‘business as usual’ framework, advocating for higher investment in such transition by the EU, without a comparative assessment of the current private financial market frameworks and their role in such transition. The present article critically assesses the action plan’s lack of focus on the access-to-finance as critical for the transition to a more circular economy outside of the public finance.

Cost-benefit analysis of a circular economy project: a study on a recycling system for end-of-life tyres

End-of-life vehicles (ELV) represent a relevant waste source in Europe, even if ELV recycling is a priority of the European Union waste legislation and Environment Action Programmes (EAPs). End-of-Life Tires (ELTs) constitute a relevant portion of ELV waste. Textile fibre, which is a relevant portion of the ELT material, is considered as a special waste (European Waste Catalogue – EWC code 19.12.08). The main problem related to textile fibre is its contamination with rubber which does not allow to obtain a pure product economically and qualitatively useable.The aim of this paper is to illustrate an innovative technology for ELT fibre's recycling, which allows to transform textile fibre into a useful secondary raw material for different applications.In particular, the use of ELT fibre as additive for bituminous conglomerates has been investigated. The different processes have been analysed from an environmental point of view, applying the Life Cycle Assessment methodology. It came up there is an impact reduction in case the ELT fibre is reused as additive for bituminous conglomerates, instead of disposing it (through incineration).Moreover, the financial and economic sustainability of the related technological process has been evaluated to check whether the process is sustainable in the long term. Starting from the results of the Life Cycle Assessment, economic performance indicators have been calculated, by applying the European Commission methodology for cost-benefit analysis. According to the present cost-benefit analysis, in the medium and long term the system is financially viable, and the high economic profitability makes the process economically sustainable. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis as well as a risk assessment have been carried out in order to identify critical variables, evaluate risks and define risk mitigation measures. According to the sensitivity analysis performed, the project is not highly risky since even in the worst scenario the possible loss is moderate.Based on the results of this analysis, it can be concluded that this ELT fibre's recycling system can be replicated across Europe, conveniently fostered by national policies (such as subsidies, value added tax etc.).

Sustainable regional development policy formation: role of industrial ecology and logistics

The impossibility to define the clear and uniform operational guidelines for the implementation of sustainable development policy globally proves the necessity to consider the regional level as the key in terms of developing and implementing modern models of sustainable development, in particular, eco-industrial parks and circular economy projects. It substantiates the need to develop and use the modern innovative methodological approaches to the formation of the relevant regional policy. The circular economy proceeds from the flow-based understanding of the character of the production, distribution, exchange, and consumption of goods in the socioeconomic system and, consequently, the turnover of resources and energy within this system. It determines the need for complex analysis and regulation of material and energy flows. These issues constitute the scope of research of industrial ecology and, at the same time, logistics. This causes the question of the integration of these disciplines within the system of scientific and methodological support of the processes of formation and implementation of the policy of sustainable region's development that is as yet little investigated. The article studies the theoretical and methodological foundations of the industrial ecology and logistics, such as objects, goals, methodological principles and approaches, methods, organizational forms, etc. On this basis the ontological unity of these disciplines is brought to light: they simultaneously study the different, mutually reinforcing aspects of the industrial system's performance through the accentuation of the flow form of the organization of the movement of resources, information, and energy as an object of regulation in such system. The integration of the environmental vision of material flows of the regional system, as is characteristic of the industrial ecology, with their content, which characterizes the structure of the regional economic system and constitutes the object of the logistics studies, should be considered as the basis for the formation and implementation of the policy aimed to achieve the region's sustainable development goals.

Recovery potential of cellulose fiber from newspaper waste: An approach on magnetic cellulose aerogel for dye adsorption material

In this study, we have attempted to extract cellulose fiber from newspaper waste for circular economy project. Cellulose was successfully extracted from newspaper waste with high purity. It was further developed as a composite with Fe3O4 powder. 10–30 wt% of Fe3O4 was synthesized from conventional synthetic route and it was uniformly distributed into cellulose suspension. The composite was prepared by freeze-dry technique in order to remove water and create the porosity. X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis were employed to characterize the structural and thermal properties of composite. Scanning electron microscope with energy dispersion analysis can be confirmed that uniformity of cellulose and the existence of Fe3O4 powder. Frequency dependence of dielectric properties was used to imply the polarity enhancement of composite. Preliminary adsorption of composite as adsorbent material for Congo red was investigated.

Approaches and policies for promoting industrial park recycling transformation (IPRT) in China: Practices and lessons

Industrial park recycling transformation (IPRT) was one of the major circular economy construction demonstration programs in the 12th Five-Year Plan issued by the China State Council in 2012. It comprised of 7 major tasks to transform traditionally high resource and energy intensive production into high efficiency and low pollutant production. By 2017, 129 industrial parks had been approved for IPRT by the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC). This paper presents a thorough review on IPRT content, policies, and practices, with some lessons and suggestions for further development. Six types of projects were supported by national funds, which included industrial chain extension and complementary projects; water conversion and recycling projects; energy saving projects; pollution prevention projects; platform construction projects; and infrastructure construction sharing projects. Case studies show success for each case. However, deficiencies in industrial development, management, policy-making, and information sharing also emerged. Two suggestions were put forward. First, investment should be diverted from traditional industries to new industries. Past cases have shown that traditional industries have a greater risk of obsolescence. Failure in one park has already created a cascading effect on other enterprises in the park. Secondly, the government-led model should be transformed into a government and market co-led model. The government could establish more effective incentive and restraint mechanisms to attract participation from enterprises and/or social capital. Information sharing platforms, for example, benefit enterprises by increasing awareness for circular economy projects to both private and public actors.

Study on the Demonstration of Seawater Desalination

In this study, the marine circular economy mode of marine industries was investigated by using utilization of Tianjin Beijiang Power Plant. Tianjin Beijiang Power Plant, taking the effective and circular utilization of resources as core, depending on the regional industrial advantage, expanding the industrial chain continually and making itself play the leading role, perfectly combines sea water desalination, salt making, salt chemical products, building materials and some other items, thereby making the wastes of by-products of former processes the raw materials of latter processes. In this way, the power plant has found a new road of circular economy characterized by maximum resource utilization, minimum waste discharge and optimal economic benefit. The project meets the 3R rules of circular economy, i.e. “high efficiency, low consumption and low pollution”, and its project combining electric power, water and salt is first-ever in China and a typical circular economy project and an ecological project as well, presenting an important demonstration significance and promotion value for the comprehensive development of circular economy.