Circular Economy Framework Research Articles

Advancing Circular Economy in Olive Oil Production: Comparing Maturation Systems for Vermicompost Creation from Olive Pomace

The production of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) creates by-products like olive pomace, which brings environmental issues due to its strong odors and the challenges involved in storage. To address this within a circular economy framework, this study explores the potential of olive pomace as a nutrient source for earthworms, aiming to transform it into a beneficial soil amendment. Key nutrients in the pomace, such as polyphenols, sugars, and organic matter, were examined for their effectiveness in nourishing earthworms. Four distinct treatments were applied to the pomace: mechanical mixing, aeration, a combination of both, and no treatment. For a period of 30 days, chemical parameters including pH, polyphenol levels, and moisture content were monitored, while earthworm preferences were assessed at Centro Lombricoltura Toscano (CLT). The study revealed significant differences in the chemical composition of the pomace depending on the treatment, especially regarding polyphenol and total sugar content. These changes influenced the palatability for earthworms, with the combined treatment producing the most appealing pomace, likely due to the increased nutrient availability. Ultimately, olive pomace has promising potential to be repurposed into a nutrient-dense soil amendment, alleviating environmental concerns and contributing to more sustainable waste management within the olive oil industry.

Biotechnological Tool for Metal(loid)s as Cd, Cu, Ni, and P Management with Multiple Approaches: Bioremediation, Recovery of Raw Materials, and Food Safety

Contaminated soils are a challenge for implementing biotechnology in bioremediation, the recovery of Critical and Strategic Raw Materials (CRMs and SRMs), and food security. European Union (EU) Governments have established strict limits on As, Pb, Cd, and Hg in foods (Document 32023R0915) and requested the recovery of 34 CRMs within a circular economy (CE) (5th CRMs list). This study proposed a biotechnological tool for the decontamination of soil with heavy metal(loid)s by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM)-assisted phytoextraction and the subsequent recovery of CRMs or by phytostabilization to prevent their entry into the food chain. It consisted of placing Baccharis salicifolia plants, inoculated or non-inoculated with AM fungi, into bioreactors (BRs) containing mining soil with Cd, Ni, and Cu, according to the Argentinian Patent (AR090183B1). The bioextractive potential (BP) was also estimated at the highest Technological Readiness Level (TRL) using a vegetable depuration module (VDM, TRL 6). Inoculated plants showed significantly higher aerial bioaccumulation coefficients (Cd: 68.62; P: 2.99; Ni: 2.51; Cu: 0.18) in BRs, and the BP values reached 1.16 g, 9.75 g, 2.40 g, and 213.1 g for Ni, Cd, Cu, and P, respectively. Finally, these CRMs and SRMs could be recovered from biomass through hydrometallurgy within a CE framework.

Developing a circular economy framework for e‐commerce packaging materials: A study on behavioural intentions of online consumers

AbstractThe exponential growth of e‐commerce brings the need for sustainable business models to address the negative environmental impacts of packaging. This study used a bibliometric analysis, the theory of planned behaviour and stakeholder theory to explore the behavioural intentions of consumers in adopting a circular economy model for e‐commerce packaging materials. Surveying 362 respondents in the Indian market, our findings revealed e‐commerce users were likely to participate in a closed‐loop system, with environmental concern and attitude emerging as pivotal factors. The study's novelty lies in examining consumers' willingness to engage in circular economy practices, using an extended model of the theory of planned behaviour. We propose leveraging existing reverse logistics networks for e‐commerce packaging that incorporate circular economy principles for packaging sustainability. The study contributes to the theory by emphasising the primacy of environmental concerns over financial incentives in motivating consumer participation in the emerging economies context. We advance the prioritisation of environmental considerations by e‐commerce consumers, which necessitates a focus on education and knowledge development on the circular economy. Building upon our findings from the Indian market context, we propose key recommendations for practice and policy, which could be applicable to other emerging markets and contribute to their CE adoption.

Adopting Circular Economy Principles: How Do Conflict Management Strategies Help Adopt Smart Technology in Jordanian SMEs?

Smart technology is essential for integrating circular economy principles. This research investigates how conflict management strategies (collaboration, accommodation, avoidance, compromise, and competition) impact the adoption of smart technology, particularly blockchain, in Jordanian SMEs. Additionally, the study explores the moderating role of customer-centric green supply chain management in the relationship between blockchain adoption and circular economy principles. This research addresses a gap in the literature by focusing on Jordanian SMEs, an under-explored context. Data were collected from 421 senior managers, department heads, and executives of Jordanian SMEs, and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), to test the hypotheses and analyze complex relationships. The findings reveal that conflict management strategies are critical in blockchain adoption, with collaboration and compromise emerging as the most influential. Moreover, blockchain adoption positively impacts the implementation of circular economy principles. The moderating effect of customer-centric green supply chain management enhances the sustainability and competitiveness of SMEs through blockchain technology. This research contributes to theory and practice by providing valuable insights into the strategic role of conflict management in driving technological innovation and sustainability within the circular economy framework, particularly in the context of Jordanian SMEs.

Prediction of municipal waste generation using multi-expression programming for circular economy: a data-driven approach.

The existing surge in municipal waste generation (MWG), characterized by swiftly changing and uncontrollable factors, poses a significant challenge to sustainable development. This prompted the need for improved predictive models to guide strategic waste management within the circular economy framework. This study aims to develop a predictive model using multi-expression programming (MEP) to assess MWG. The model was developed using historical data on socioeconomic and environmental factors and validated via comparative analyses with artificial neural network (ANN), random forest (RF), and multiple linear regression (MLR) using various evaluation metrics. The parametric and sensitivity analyses of the MEP model were also conducted. The MEP, ANN, RF, and MLR models have a coefficient of determination (R2) (for testing datasets) of 0.977, 0.974, 0.957, and 0.964, respectively. The MEP model is superior in terms of accuracy and performance for the prediction of MWG when compared to the other three models. The sensitivity analysis revealed the relative importance of each input variable in the established MEP model. The novelty of this research lies in the application of MEP to predict MWG and the formulation of a new mathematical model that links socioeconomic and environmental factors with MWG. The model can be used by waste management authorities to optimize waste collection, transportation, and disposal infrastructure for an effective circular economy and sustainable development. This model also aids in the development of effective waste management policies.

A thorough overview of the literature on waste recycling in the circular economy: current practices and future perspectives.

To develop a circular economy (CE) and protect the environment, waste recycling (WR) is crucial. This study examines WR research conducted over the past two decades to identify the most significant advancements and promising areas for future research. The following challenges were handled through text mining, content, and bibliometrics analysis: How has CE influenced the evolution of WR research? What are the CE's most important WR research trends and themes? What directions could future research on WR take regarding the CE transition? Using 1118 articles from the Scopus database journal, bibliometric networks were made and analyzed. Hence, five critical CE-related problems needing further research were recognized: waste recycling is the first cluster, followed by technology, the CE transformation, plastic waste, and waste management (WM). Examining WM and inclusive waste reduction practices and their distinct highlight patterns may impact future research fields and serve as a transitional tool to CE (which aims to minimize waste generation). Forthcoming research targets contain waste reduction and incorporation of WR into the CE framework.

Financial Strategies for Sustainability: Examining the Circular Economy Perspective

Circular economy (CE) research has advanced significantly in recent years in areas like environmental science, engineering, and technology. Governance presents CE strategies as imperative and compelling, often linked to efforts to achieve sustainable business development. However, the financial quantification of a CE is still underexplored and heterogeneous, with multiple research streams exploring the financial dimension. The aims of this study are twofold: (i) to analyze the productivity of the scientific literature and the conceptual evolution of circularity as it relates to financial strategies; and (ii) to formulate future research directions addressing a CE in close connection with financial sustainability knowledge. Bilbiometrix R-package 2023.12.1 and VOSviewer version 1.6.20 were used to analyze a sample of 279 articles retrieved from WoS and Scopus using the PRISMA protocol. The analysis covered the period 2010–2023, with the diachronic thematic analysis revealing four key themes: (1) CE and green financial performance; (2) environmental impact of CE; (3) performance approach of CE and metrics; (4) CE and sustainable development. Building on previous knowledge, we developed an integrated and multidisciplinary framework of CE embedded in financial performance. Future research agenda shaped by the emerging themes and research gaps can support managers, shareholders, or governance in incorporating CE policies into operational activities and strengthening sustainable circularity knowledge.

Decentralised by-product valorisation in the dairy value chain: An opportunity for sustainable intensification

Increasing the sustainability of the livestock sector is a vital goal in lowering the environmental burden of food production globally. The dairy sector is of particular interest in this context since it is responsible for a significant share of this burden. In the past, research has focused on approaches to lower the impacts at the farming stage of production, while fewer efforts have been directed at the later stages of the value chain. By-product valorisation is a tool within the wider framework of Circular Economy that allows to increase the efficiency of resource use by increasing the product output at high quality, potentially leading to a sustainable intensification. The present study aims to test this hypothesis. For this purpose, data was collected from a cheese production case study and pilot-scale experiments on whey valorisation, to model several scenarios of by-product valorisation in the dairy value chain. This includes a decentralised valorisation scenario modelled for the purpose of supporting a local Circular Economy and three scenarios representing common valorisation approaches. The impacts of the entire value chain are then assessed based on an attributional LCA considering three different functional units in order to examine the potential for a relative reduction of impacts per unit of product output. The results suggest that while there is no clear favourite among the investigated valorisation scenarios, by-product valorisation in general can lower the relative impacts of the value chain significantly as compared to the base scenario without valorisation. Depending on the valorisation scenario and impact category, impact reductions of up to 14%, 20% and 32% can be achieved for the three functional units, respectively. Hence, by-product valorisation allows for a sustainable intensification. While centralised lower quality valorisation is favourable in terms of product mass and overall process efficiency, decentralised and high-quality valorisation performs better when the economic value of the products is taken into consideration. Thus, the choice for the most suitable approach for a production site will depend on the context of the production and the intentions of the stakeholders.

Prioritizing Performance Indicators for the Circular Economy Transition in Healthcare Supply Chains

AbstractThe emergence of the circular economy (CE) paradigm is a key driver in steering industrial sectors towards sustainability. The formulation of a robust circularity strategy depends on a comprehensive assessment, which is closely related to the overarching goal of managing the transition to circularity. The initial phase of transition within the healthcare sector reinforces the need to seamlessly integrate CE principles. It is therefore imperative to define and carefully monitor indicators that will help assess and improve sustainability, operational efficiency, supply chain resilience and stakeholder satisfaction, including both consumers and patients. The primary objective of this research is to prioritize relevant performance indicators that will be critical in measuring the effectiveness of the transition to a circular economy within the healthcare supply chain. To achieve this objective, the study employs the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a well-established methodology known for its effectiveness in solving complex multi-criteria challenges. The AHP is used to prioritize performance indicators that facilitate the management of the circular economy transition in the healthcare supply chain. The focus is on improving the quality of care, optimizing delivery efficiency, and emphasizing environmental sustainability within the healthcare paradigm. The methodological framework includes the identification of key main criteria covering environmental, social, economic, and logistical dimensions. These criteria are further refined with the inclusion of 14 sub-criteria, resulting in a list of 16 key performance indicators (KPIs). Additionally, the study proposes an alternative business model advocating for the implementation of the Circular Supply Chain Operation Reference Model (circular SCOR). This model offers a perspective for rapid change in supply chain processes towards circular transition within the healthcare system. The final stage of the research involves verifying the results through sensitivity analysis and correlation mapping of the indicator results with the Circular SCOR model. This process helps organizations refine their performance measurement protocols, enhancing their capacity for effective evaluation and strategic decision-making within the circular economy framework. This comprehensive approach enables healthcare organizations to proactively contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future while maintaining a focus on quality care for patient well-being.

Influence of enzymatic hydrolysis conditions on antimicrobial activities and peptide profiles of milk protein-derived hydrolysates from white wastewater

The focus of our investigation lies in the hydrolysis of milk proteins found in the substantial wastewater generated by the dairy industry, particularly in the white and cleaning wastewater resulting from rinsing and cleaning-in-place processes in order to enhance the value of dairy constituents by producing a diverse population of peptides, including potential antimicrobial peptides generated by 4 different enzymes: pepsin, trypsin, pronase E, and thermolysin. The protein/peptide content was influenced by the degree of hydrolysis values ranging from 2 % to 13 %, and UPLC-MS/MS characterization reveals distinct peptide sequences in enzymatic hydrolysates. The impact of hydrolysis time was also examined, revealing significant differences between 30 minutes and 240 minutes, with 555 peptides identified at 30 minutes, increasing to 693 at 240 minutes. After 4 hours, grouping showed variations: 181 peptides (thermolysin), 153 (pepsin), 126 (trypsin), and 83 (pronase E). A comparative analysis of the characterized sequences with antimicrobial peptides databases identified 17 antimicrobial peptides after 240 minutes pronase E and thermolysin hydrolysis, though they were insufficient to inhibit strains like Clostridium tyrobutyricum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antimicrobial assays also revealed that peptides from Pronase T30, Pronase T240, and Thermolysine T240 exhibited antifungal activity against Mucor racemosus (MIC 2.5 mg/mL), but none against Penicillium commune. The effet of enzymatic hydrolysis demonstrated in this study highlights, for the first time, the potential for valorizing dairy white wastewater within the context of a circular economy framework.

Investigation of the agricultural reuse potential of urban wastewater and other resources derived by using membrane bioreactor technology within the circular economy framework

The European Union, as delineated in Regulation (EU) 2020/741, sets forth minimum criteria for the reuse of wastewater. Directive 86/278/CEE sets the regulations for the reuse of sewage sludge in agriculture. This study aimed to investigate the treated water derived from a pilot plant situated in Granada, Spain, that utilizes membrane bioreactor technology to process real urban wastewater with the quality standards necessary for agricultural reuse. Additionally, the study evaluated the utilization potential of other resources generated during wastewater treatment, including biogas and biostabilized sludge. The pilot plant incorporated a membrane bioreactor featuring four ultrafiltration membranes operating continuously alongside a sludge treatment line operating in batch mode. The pilot plant operated during four cycles, each with distinct hydraulic retention times (6 h and 12 h) and variable mixed liquor-suspended solids concentrations (ranging from 2688 mg L−1 to 7542 mg L−1). During these cycles, the plant was doped with increasing concentrations of emerging contamination compounds (diclofenac, ibuprofen, and erythromycin) to test their effect on the resources derived from the treatment. Subsequently, a tertiary treatment involving an advanced oxidation process was applied to the different water lines, which left the wastewater treatment plant for a period of 30 min and utilized varying concentrations of oxidant. The results indicate that the effluent obtained meets the required quality standards for agricultural use. Therefore, there is potential to use this waste as a resource, which is in line with the principles of the circular economy. Furthermore, the other resources generated during the treatment process, such as the biogas produced during the digestion process and the biostabilized sludge, have the potential to be used as resources according to the circular economy indicators.

Bioplastics from Waste Biomass: Paving the Way for a Sustainable Future

Abstract: Bioplastics originating from waste biomass present a viable remedy to the environmental dilemmas associated with traditional plastics, thereby reducing dependency on fossil fuels and mitigating carbon emissions. This review investigates the utilization of diverse waste biomass sources, encompassing agricultural residues, food waste, industrial by-products, municipal solid waste, and forest biomass residues, in the synthesis of bioplastics. Technological innovations in feedstock pretreatment, bioconversion methodologies, and polymerization techniques have markedly enhanced the efficiency and material characteristics of bioplastics, establishing them as formidable alternatives to petroleum-derived plastics. Notwithstanding these advancements, obstacles such as feedstock inconsistency, scalability issues, technological limitations, and consumer acceptance persistently impede the extensive adoption of bioplastics. The ecological advantages of bioplastics, particularly concerning their diminished carbon footprint and potential for biodegradability, are underscored through life cycle assessments (LCAs). Government policies, the increasing market demand for sustainable products, and advancements in emerging technologies, including synthetic biology and AI-enhanced process optimization, are propelling the commercialization of bioplastics derived from waste biomass. The incorporation of bioplastics within a circular economy framework, coupled with considerations for long-term sustainability, positions them as a pivotal element in fostering a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future. This review offers a thorough examination of the present landscape, challenges, and future prospects of bioplastics production from waste biomass.

Balancing Stakeholder Interests in Sustainable Project Management: A Circular Economy Approach

Balancing stakeholder interests in sustainable project management presents a critical challenge, particularly when adopting a circular economy (CE) approach. This review explores the integration of circular economy principles such as reducing waste, reusing materials, and promoting recycling into project management while addressing the diverse and often competing interests of stakeholders. Sustainable project management aims to harmonize economic, environmental, and social objectives, making the alignment of stakeholder goals a complex yet essential task. Stakeholders, including investors, customers, regulators, local communities, and internal project teams, often have varying priorities, ranging from maximizing profitability to minimizing environmental impact and ensuring social responsibility. This study reviews key strategies for managing these competing interests through collaborative decision-making, transparency, and stakeholder engagement. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), closed-loop supply chains, and sustainable procurement are examined as practical tools for integrating CE principles throughout the project lifecycle. Additionally, the review emphasizes the importance of education and communication in fostering stakeholder buy-in, enhancing long-term sustainability outcomes, and improving resource efficiency. Case studies from industries such as construction and renewable energy demonstrate how stakeholder collaboration in adopting CE practices leads to both environmental benefits and project success. The findings suggest that balancing stakeholder interests in a circular economy framework not only enhances sustainability but also drives innovation and competitiveness. This research underscores the need for continual engagement and adaptive strategies in project management, ensuring that stakeholder alignment with circular economy goals results in more resilient and sustainable project outcomes. Ultimately, adopting a circular economy approach within project management offers a viable pathway to achieving long-term sustainability and creating shared value among stakeholders.

Circular Economy in Architecture: Reducing Waste and Promoting Reuse in Construction

This paper explores the concept of circular economy within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industries. It examines the evolution of the circular economy framework from the traditional 4R model to more expansive 9R and 10R iterations. The study investigates the challenges and opportunities in implementing circular economy principles in Nigeria's AEC sector, considering its significant contribution to the country's GDP and potential for sustainable economic development. By analysing the relationship between construction activities and economic growth, this research aims to provide insights into the transformative potential of circular economy practices in AEC industry and its broader implications for national development.

Bacterial Cellulose Production within a Circular Economy Framework: Utilizing Organic Waste.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) has emerged as a sustainable biomaterial with diverse industrial applications. This paper examines BC production through a circular economy framework, focusing on organic waste as a primary feedstock. It compares static and agitated cultivation methods for BC production, highlighting their advantages and limitations. Static cultivation using Gluconacetobacter xylinum yields high-quality cellulose films but is constrained by lower yields and longer incubation times. Agitated cultivation accelerates production but may affect fiber uniformity. This paper emphasizes sustainability by exploring organic waste materials such as coffee grounds, tea leaves, and food scraps as cost-effective nitrogen and carbon sources. These materials not only lower production costs but also support circular economy principles by converting waste into valuable products. BC produced from these waste sources retains key properties, making it suitable for applications in the textile and other industries. In addition, BC production can align with vegan principles, provided that all additives and processing methods are free of animal-derived components. The paper discusses BC's potential to replace synthetic fibers in textiles and reduce environmental impact. Case studies show successful BC integration into textile products. In conclusion, this paper calls for more research to optimize BC production processes and explore new industrial applications. Using organic waste in BC production can help industries adopt sustainable practices, reduce environmental footprints, and create high-value materials.

Optimization of PET depolymerization for enhanced terephthalic acid recovery from commercial PET and post consumer PET-bottles via low-temperature alkaline hydrolysis

The increasing demand for plastic has resulted in a surge in plastic waste production. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), commonly used in beverage bottle manufacturing, is only partially recycled, with an estimated recycling rate of just 28.4% in 2019. This accumulation of plastic waste is harmful to the environment and living organisms, necessitating effective recycling methods for PET waste. One promising method is alkaline hydrolysis using NaOH, which can break down PET into its monomer components, terephthalic acid (TPA) and ethylene glycol (EG). This process not only recycles PET efficiently but also manages contaminants effectively, producing high-quality TPA, supporting the development of a circular economy. This study looks into PET depolymerization via alkaline hydrolysis at low temperature by investigating effects of various factors: pH levels, water to ethanol ratio, NaOH concentration, NaOH to PET ratio, reaction time, PET size, reusability of unreacted PET, air plasma pretreatment of PET, and different kinds of PET. Promisingly, PET conversion rates of over 90% and a TPA purity of 99.6% were achieved in this study highlighting the efficacy of alkaline hydrolysis in depolymerizing post-consumer PET waste. Ultimately, this research advances sustainable plastic waste management and supports the integration of PET into a circular economy framework.

Effective Green Entrepreneurship and Sustainability: Analysis with a Hybrid Model

The research paper evaluates the effectiveness of hybrid models in green entrepreneurship by focusing on their contributions in incorporating both sustainability, and profitability. Hybrid models include eco-social enterprises, circular economy frameworks, and sustainable business strategies that maintain economic growth and environmental responsibility in the same manner. The study evaluated the significance and global impact of hybrid models to green entrepreneurship, and sustainability through a systematic literature review. Regulatory barriers, market competition, and high costs are the challenges of adopting green entrepreneurship that need potential solutions. The results highlighted the way hybrid models promote long-term sustainable business practices. Henceforth, the research demonstrates the process through which eco-social enterprises incorporate sustainability into their core business operations along with remaining profitable in the competitive global market.

A new age for coal ports: An historical perspective on diversification and a circular economy future

Amidst growing climate change concerns and decarbonisation imperatives, coal ports worldwide face the challenge of diversifying their operations in response to shifting energy demands. This paper investigates the historical transition of coal ports and their diversification strategies within the context of the circular economy. Employing a systematic review of academic literature and trade publications, we analyse the issues that pose long-term threats to coal ports. We focus on nine coal ports and terminals across the UK, US, China, and Russia, evaluating the diversification strategies employed at each port, and assessing their relevance in today's climate landscape. Notably, the Port of Newcastle, Australia, the world's largest coal port, serves as a key case study, revealing the potential for future-proofing operations through a circular economy framework. We discuss the driving factors and opportunities for this transition. Additionally, we address barriers to adoption, such as leadership challenges, financial viability, and infrastructure suitability, shedding light on the transformative journey coal ports must undertake in response to evolving energy paradigms.

The Role of Plastic Recycling Shops in Khulna City Within A Circular Economy Framework

Plastics are widely used in many industries, leading to a growing plastic waste problem. To address this, a shift from a linear economy to a circular economy is required. In Bangladesh, the waste management sector predominantly relies on the informal sector, which remains underappreciated and inadequately supported. This study evaluates the environmental, economic, social, and urban development dimensions of recycling shops within the informal sector, highlighting their potential to alleviate ecological burdens, enhance energy efficiency, and generate local employment. A comprehensive methodology encompassing field surveys, environmental and economic benefit calculations, and fuzzy logic analysis are employed. The findings demonstrate that recycling shops, through a circular economy approach, substantially mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, reduce litter, save energy, and conserve landfill space. Among the 35 recycling shops examined, 22.86% were identified as low-volume recyclers, 48.57% as medium-volume recyclers, and 28.57% as high-volume recyclers, each group exerting correspondingly low, medium, and high positive impacts on the environment and society. Collectively, these shops manage 6.68 tons of PET bottle labels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 509.35 MTCE, prevent 202,186.9 tons of litter, save 5,728.1 m³ of landfill space, and conserve 406.8 barrels of oil monthly. Additionally, they employ 427 individuals. Expanding recycling shop operations, exploring new recycling technologies, and examining supportive policies are crucial for improving Khulna City's plastic waste management and overall sustainability. Journal of Engineering Science 15(1), 2024, 31-43

A nutrient circular economy framework for wastewater treatment plants

Given the criticality of phosphorous and the harm eutrophication causes, wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) are undergoing circular economy (CE) conversions into becoming centres for resource recovery. This framework paper identifies the environmental, societal, political, commercial, economic, consumer, regulatory, legal, infrastructural, technological, international compliance, academic, agricultural, and plant-operator factors affecting the micro, macro and meso success and failure of nutrient CE WWTP across scope classifications. From this, nutrient CE framework is not as simplistic as it looks, given the multitude of impingers that need to be considered. The lack of technological readiness and vast selection methodologies for some nutrient recovery technologies, low private-sector investment, divisive consumer perceptions, unique economic situations, localised regulatory specifications, threats of inefficient technology lock-ins, poor acceptance among farmers and WWTP operators due to infrastructural incompatibilities, lack of efficient CE supply chains, legacy infrastructure, poor digitised solutions for nutrient CE management, low training and awareness, and integration of nutrient CE WWTPs with broader society are barriers. On the contrary, nutrient CE WWTP will mainly be driven by regulations, subsidies and consumer-WWTP-farmer nutrient CE acceptances. This framework aims to tie in and provide solutions to overcoming barriers to nutrient CE WWTPs that is universally applicable. Consequently, the framework provides a holistic structure for policy, legislative, academic, agricultural, plant operators, commercial and consumer stakeholders a roadmap for the success and difficulties of nutrient CE WWTP adoption.