Linear Economic Model Research Articles

Perspective review on Municipal Solid Waste-to-energy route: Characteristics, management strategy, and role in circular economy

The proper handling of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is critical due to its high generation rate and the potential to minimise environmental impacts by simultaneously reducing resource depletion and pollution. MSW utilization for recycling is important for transforming the linear economy model into a circular one. The current review analyses and categorises MSW to energy technologies into direct and indirect approaches taking the Circular Economy perspective. The direct approach involves incinerating MSW for heat recovery. The indirect approach, including thermochemical and biochemical processes , is more complicated but attractive due to the variety of the valorized products – such as syngas , bio-oil, biochar, digestate, humus. However, consensus on the best MSW treatment approach is yet to be established due to the inconsistency of assessment criteria in the existing studies. In the case of converting MSW to energy (Waste-to-Energy – W2E), its economic indicators, such as capital, compliance, and operation cost, are important criteria when implementations are considered. In the current work, the critical characteristics of technologies for the MSW to energy routes are scrutinised. In addition, the economic characteristics and the role of MSW in the circular bio-economy is also thoroughly evaluated. Methods to advocate the industrial adoption and important assessing aspects of W2E are proposed at the end of the review to address the environmental and resource management issues related to MSW – most notably dealing with the uncertainty in composition and amounts, the energy efficiency and the resource demands of the W2E processing. • Direct and indirect valorisation techniques for MSW are reviewed. • The economic characteristics and energy production viability of MSW are analysed. • Suggested assessment criteria for fair comparison of Waste-to-Energy technologies. • The low economic viability of Waste-to-Energy due to ignoring environmental benefits. • Methods to advocate the industrial adoption of W2E are proposed.

Mapping Circular Economy Phenomenon in Emerging Markets

The circular economy concept is becoming more important worldwide, promoting the closed-loop production cycle paradigm as opposed to the linear economic model. For emerging markets, the concept of CE is equally important. However, emerging economies have specific contextual conditions, which might hinder the CE’s successful implementation. Preliminary research showed the lack of comprehensive reviews on CE in emerging markets context, which became a prerequisite for conducting a systematic literature review. The purpose of the study is to distinguish research streams, concepts, and topics in the field of CE in emerging markets from a longitudinal perspective as well as to define features and conditions of CE implementation in emerging markets. The analysis was conducted using the Biblioshiny R-package tool. The results show that barriers and drivers to CE implementation in emerging markets are the most studied research areas. The most common drivers of CE development in emerging markets are attitude, social pressure, environmental commitment, consumer behavior, and institutional pressures. Low awareness and lack of environmental education are the most widespread impediments that lead to insufficient development of particular disposal. In addition, lack of regulatory incentives and insufficient infrastructure are also common barriers that limit CE development in emerging economies. The influence of Industry 4.0 technologies on CE implementation, circular business model,s and waste management are of increasing scientific interest. Moreover, features and conditions of CE implementation in emerging markets were derived. In addition, the content analysis identified possible research directions to be investigated.

Mass Balance and Compositional Analysis of Biomass Outputs from Cacao Fruits.

The global chocolate value chain is based exclusively on cacao beans (CBs). With few exceptions, most CBs traded worldwide are produced under a linear economy model, where only 8 to 10% of the biomass ends up in chocolate-related products. This contribution reports the mass balance and composition dynamics of cacao fruit biomass outputs throughout one full year of the crop cycle. This information is relevant because future biorefinery developments and the efficient use of cacao fruits will depend on reliable, robust, and time-dependent compositional and mass balance data. Cacao husk (CH), beans (CBs), and placenta (CP) constitute, as dry weight, 8.92 ± 0.90 wt %, 8.87 ± 0.52 wt %, and 0.57 ± 0.05 wt % of the cacao fruit, respectively, while moisture makes up most of the biomass weight (71.6 ± 2.29 wt %). CH and CP are solid lignocellulosic outputs. Interestingly, the highest cellulose and lignin contents in CH coincide with cacao’s primary harvest season (October to January). CB contains carbohydrates, fats, protein, ash, and phenolic compounds. The total polyphenol content in CBs is time-dependent, reaching maxima values during the harvest seasons. In addition, the fruit contains 4.13 ± 0.80 wt % of CME, a sugar- and nutrient-rich liquid output, with an average of 20 wt % of simple sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose), in addition to minerals (mainly K and Ca) and proteins. The total carbohydrate content in CME changes dramatically throughout the year, with a minimum of 10 wt % from August to January and a maximum of 29 wt % in March.

Organisational Drivers and Challenges in Circular Economy Implementation: An Issue Life Cycle Approach

Business is a significant cause of various global sustainability challenges addressed by the Circular Economy (CE), making companies instrumental in the transition from a linear economic model to a circular one. While drivers and challenges in corporate CE implementation have been researched on an organisational level, a more detailed understanding is needed regarding their contextual nature and interplay with the evolution of CE implementation in a company. Utilising issue life cycle theory, this study contributes to the literature on CE implementation in business by displaying differences in corporate CE implementation drivers and challenges, relating to the time since starting, and the degree of corporate CE implementation. Moreover, it makes a significant contribution to issue life cycle theory by demonstrating how drivers and challenges can shape the progression of a corporate response to an issue. This understanding is crucial in identifying the right support mechanisms for companies in different phases of CE implementation.

Biocircularity: a Framework to Define Sustainable, Circular Bioeconomy

Bioeconomy is proposed as a solution to reduce reliance on fossil resources. However, bioeconomy is not always inherently circular and can mimic the conventional take, make, consume, dispose linear economic model. Agricultural systems will be relied on to provide food, materials, and energy, so unless action is taken, demand for land will inevitably exceed supply. Bioeconomy will have to embrace circularity to enable production of renewable feedstocks in terms of both biomass yield and maintaining essential natural capital. The concept of biocircularity is proposed as an integrated systems approach to the sustainable production of renewable biological materials focusing on extended use, maximum reuse, recycling, and design for degradation from polymers to monomers, while avoiding the “failure” of end of life and minimizing energy demand and waste. Challenges are discussed including sustainable production and consumption; quantifying externalities; decoupling economic growth from depletion; valuing natural ecosystems; design across scales; renewable energy provision; barriers to adoption; and integration with food systems. Biocircularity offers a theoretical basis and measures of success, for implementing sustainable circular bioeconomy.

The circular economy and the optimal recycling rate: A macroeconomic approach

This paper studies the economic implications of the circular economy and recycling activities from a macroeconomic perspective. The paper incorporates the circular economy into an otherwise standard neoclassical dynamic general equilibrium linear economy model, in which the production function depends on capital, labor, and raw materials. Raw materials are a composite of natural resources (the linear economy) and recycled material (the circular economy). Waste is a function of consumption but can be incorporated back into production activities through recycling. We find the existence of a positive S-shaped relationship between the optimal recycling rate and economic development, indicating that increasing the circularity of the economy is a necessary condition to augment social welfare in a growing economy. The optimal recycling rate depends positively on the pollution damage and waste content of final consumption goods. Simulation of the model supports the existence of a steady-state Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) relationship between the stock of waste and the output in the presence of a circular economy. Finally, we find that while a permanent improvement in recycling technology has positive effects on output, expanding the circularity of the economy, an increase in the cost of natural material has harmful effects on output, increasing waste accumulation and reducing recycling.

Perspectives of Using DES-Based Systems for Solid–Liquid and Liquid–Liquid Extraction of Metals from E-Waste

In recent years, the linear economic model and global warming have shown that it is necessary to move toward a circular economic model. In this scenario, the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) with green processes is one of the pending tasks; thus, in the present review, advances in the solid–liquid and liquid–liquid extraction processes, processes among the most important for the recovery of metals from ores or WEEE, with green solvents such as deep eutectic solvents (DES) are presented and analyzed, identifying the present and future challenges. To date, most articles focused on one of the processes, be it solid–liquid or liquid–liquid extraction, while few reports included the entire hydrometallurgical process, which could be due to heterogeneity of the WEEE, a characteristic that influences determining the leaching kinetic and the leaching mechanisms. A deeper understanding of the phenomenon would help improve this process and the next stage of liquid–liquid extraction. This also leads to the fact that, at the liquid–liquid extraction stage, most articles considered synthetic pregnant leach solutions to evaluate each of the variables, whereas the stripping of the ions and the recycling of the DESs in continuous processes is a challenge that should be addressed in future work. From the analysis, for WEEE leaching, it was identified that acid DESs are those achieving the best extraction percentages in the leaching of copper, lithium, and cobalt, among others, where the most studied hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA) is choline chloride with an acid (e.g., citric or lactic acid) as the hydrogen bond donor (HBD). For the liquid–liquid extraction of ions is a greater variety of HBAs (e.g., lidocaine, trioctylphosphine oxide and triphenyl phosphate) and HBDs (e.g., decanoic acid, thenoyltrifluoroacetone, and benzoyltrifluoroacetone) used; however, studies on the extraction of cobalt, lithium, copper, and nickel stand out, where the pH and temperature parameters have great influence.

Estimating processing cost for the recovery of valuable elements from mine tailings using dimensional analysis

The mining industry generates thousands of tons of waste every day. Some types of waste pose environmental risks, while others can be considered important sources of valuable materials. Nowadays, the re-processing of mine tailings starts to be seen as an increasingly more critical operation because of the need to shift from the current linear economy model to the circular one. However, full-scale mine tailings processing is still in the early stages. One of the important factors that could contribute to its spreading would be developing a simple method of preliminary assessment of the profitability of mine tailings processing. Therefore, the aim of this study is to propose a method that could be used to estimate the cost of mine tailings processing for the recovery of valuable elements. The proposed approach deploys dimensional analysis, as well as sensitivity analysis. In order to illustrate the applicability of the proposed method, data from 48 Chilean mining operations were analyzed. Since copper is the element whose concentration in Chilean mine tailings is the highest, and vanadium is the main critical raw material that can be obtained from the same source, both were selected to be recovered. The results show that a plant that processes mine tailings to recover vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) via hydrometallurgical processes would incur a processing cost of 6,218 US$/t of V2O5. On the other hand, a processing cost for a plant engaged in copper recovery would be 2,953 US$/t of Cu. This represents a reduction by 40.87% and 44.20%, respectively, compared to the operating costs of similar mining operations. In addition, the sensitivity analysis determined that the unit price of electricity and electricity consumption are the two variables having the highest impact on the total processing cost. The obtained results are valid for Chilean mines, however, the proposed approach could be widely used to estimate mine tailing processing cost for the recovery of other elements in other countries.

The role of water circularity in the food-water-energy nexus and climate change mitigation

By 2050, the global Earth population will reach 10 billion, leading to increased water, food, and energy needs. Availability of water in sufficient quantities and appropriate quality is a prerequisite for human societies and natural ecosystems. In many parts of the world, excessive water consumption and pollution by human activities put enormous pressure on this availability as well as on food and energy security, environmental quality, economic development, and social well-being. Water, food/materials, and energy are strongly interlinked, and the choices made in one area often have consequences on the others. This is commonly referred to as the “water-food-energy” nexus. These interconnections intensify as the demand for resources increases with population growth and changing consumption patterns, and Humanity continues using a linear economy model of ‘take-make-dispose’. The nexus makes it difficult for governments, public and private organizations, and the public, to set and follow a clear path towards a sustainable economy i.e., “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. Humanity best chance at mitigating climate change, and shortage of resources is to harness the value of water as much as possible.This paper reviews the latest publications about the water-food-energy nexus and climate change, putting numbers into perspective, attempting to explain why water circularity is part of the key factors to accelerate the transition from a linear economy to a circular economy, and to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and how circularity can be implemented in the water sector.

Smart Fashion Economy through a Data-Driven Circular Ecosystem: A Case Study

While Circular Economy (CE) strategies have been discussed as solutions for negative environmental impacts, companies are facing various challenges in applying CE strategies and redefining their business models. Recent research articulates that to achieve the CE goals, businesses should collaborate with each other within an ecosystem in which values are equally captured among all the stakeholders by governing and managing data flows. In this ecosystem, all the actors and stakeholders can share data, information and solutions regarding to CE to help each other through the path and co-create CE values. Regardless of the transition towards CE, fashion and textile industry is still following the linear economy model (take, make, use, dispose), where only less than 1% of the recycled clothes get back to use cycle. For textile and fashion industry, data plays a key role in providing transparent flow of information on product’s lifecycle, from circular material resources and design all the way to the recycling and waste management. In this regard, a data-driven ecosystem in which various stakeholders can access the source of right data, can ensure the success of circularity of the entire supply chain. A data-driven strategy can help to engage and train all organizations to build a data-literacy ecosystem towards a common goal. The purpose of this paper is to identify the important role of a data-driven CE ecosystem in fashion industry within the case study of the circularity. ID® a solution developed by-circular fashion.

Examining the roadblocks of circular economy adoption in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) through sustainable development goals

AbstractThe linear economy model is being transformed into a circular model to positively impact the environment, society, business, and sustainable development goals. However, emerging economies such as India face many significant roadblocks adapting to a circular model. Therefore, this study attempts first to assess and visualize the roadblocks in circular economy adoption in Indian micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) and then identify and evaluate the solutions to overcome these roadblocks. This paper explores 31 critical roadblocks and proposes 14 solutions in the pathway of circular economy through extant literature and expert inputs. Graph theory matrix approach (GTMA) is applied to calculate the comprehensive circular economy roadblock index. This value signifies the intensity of roadblocks taken altogether in an industry under consideration. Furthermore, fuzzy stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis (fuzzy‐SWARA) is used to compute the weights of individual roadblocks. After that, fuzzy‐weighted aggregated sum product assessment (fuzzy‐WASPAS) is used to rank the identified solutions and efficiently implement a circular economy. Finally, the research presents sensitivity analysis and the theoretical and managerial implications of the findings.

Transforming Linear Production Chains into Circular Value Extended Systems

Different schools of thought, theories, and concepts have been developed to diminish the social and environmental impact that the take–make–dispose linear economic model has produced. Such is the case of industrial ecology (IE) and circular economy (CE). However, the principles and guidelines in IE literature are focused more on resource efficiency without considering the social externalities. In the same sense, CE literature has not brought clear guidance about how to circularize linear businesses and is mainly focused on recycling strategies, which could be the least profitable and attractive option among the circular business models (CBM). Based on the sustainable wealth creation through disruptive innovation and enabling technologies (SWIT) framework and the business model framework, we have developed a roadmap to transform linear value chains into an industrial ecology cluster of zero-waste chains and enabling institutions called a circular value extended system (CVES), which is able to exploit non-usual business opportunities of waste and residue revaluation. This systemic approach opens the possibilities of creating a socially inclusive, environmentally resilient, and economically viable system of capital. A case study is presented to clarify the design process and application of the framework. Our contribution entails guidelines to transform linear value chains into a cluster of circular economy systems capable of producing sustainable increasing returns to benefit multiple regional stakeholders.

Predictive Maintenance for Remanufacturing Based on Hybrid-Driven Remaining Useful Life Prediction

Remanufacturing is an activity of the circular economy model whose purpose is to keep the high value of products and materials. As opposed to the currently employed linear economic model, remanufacturing targets the extension of products and reduces the unnecessary and wasteful use of resources. Remanufacturing, along with health status monitoring, constitutes a key element for lifetime extension and reuse of large industrial equipment. The major challenge is to determine if a machine is worth remanufacturing and when is the optimal time to perform remanufacturing. The present work proposes a new predictive maintenance framework for the remanufacturing process based on a combination of remaining useful life prediction and condition monitoring methods. A hybrid-driven approach was used to combine the advantages of the knowledge model and historical data. The proposed method has been verified on the realistic run-to-failure rolling bearing degradation dataset. The experimental results combined with visualization analysis have proven the effectiveness of the proposed method.

A Methodology to Qualitatively Select Upcycled Building Materials from Urban and Industrial Waste

The rising concern about climate change and other challenges faced by the planet led society to look for different design solutions and approaches towards a more balanced relationship between the built and natural environment. The circular economy is an effective alternative to the linear economic model inspired by natural metabolisms and the circular use of resources. This research explores how innovative strategies can be integrated for evaluating local urban and industrial wastes into sustainable building materials. A literature review is conducted focusing on circular design strategies, re-use, recycle, and waste transformation processes. Then, a methodology for the selection of upcycled and re-used building materials is developed based on Ashby’s method. A total of thirty-five types of partition walls, which include plastic, wood, paper, steel, aluminium, and agricultural wastes, are evaluated using a multi-criteria decision aid (M-MACBETH). Among these solutions, ten types of walls show high-performance thermal and sound isolation, fourteen types are effective for coating, and two exhibit structural reliability. Regardless of their functional limitations, the proposed solutions based on waste materials bear great potential within the construction industry.

Extending Resource Value-Based Circular Economy Business Model in Emerging Economies: Lessons from India

The linear economic model fueled by misconception and ignorance towards our limited resources led us to extract, produce, consume, and dispose of materials faster than putting them back into the chain or reproducing. The circular economy (CE) business model answers these concerns, and exploring the implementation of such models in densely populated emerging nations is overdue. An open-ended interview of the executive team of Paperman Foundation, the organization in concern, was conducted, along with documentary analysis of the organization’s website, international news coverage, and government legislation to collect data for the research. The Paperman Foundation (hereinafter referred to as Paperman) has successfully implemented a circularity business model based on resource value extension in one of the largest cities in India. They have been scaling their operations for almost a decade and sustainably returned the recovered resources to the supply chain extending the resource value of post-consumer plastic waste and thus cutting down on carbon emission. This study established that such contemporary business models like the circular model can achieve lowered carbon emissions in emerging and transitional economies such as India successfully. Although, there is a high volume of research output from academia in CE in the past decade, most of them are not conducted on cases based in emerging economies. Only one representative organization is considered in this case study. Studying several organizations from similar economies could provide a better understanding.

E-Waste and End-of-Life Vehicles Management and Circular Economy Initiatives in Romania

E-waste and end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) are fast-growing waste streams in the EU and beyond that require specific collection and treatment activities to avoid environmental pollution and resource depletion fed by the linear economy model. This paper aims to investigate the links between e-waste and ELVs streams and the circular economy approach of the EU. Romania is examined as a relevant case study for the central and eastern European Region regarding: (i) the current e-waste and ELVs management deficiencies and challenges in line with circular economy principles promoted by EU; (ii) analysis of E-waste and ELVs flows data; and (iii) best circular economy initiatives related to e-waste and ELVs in Romania, including the opportunity to create new jobs in treatment activities that the simple operations from the first stages of e-waste recycling can produce locally and regionally in Romania. This work points out the current knowledge gaps and future research directions for these special waste streams in Romania and beyond.

Transitioning to a Circular Economy: A Systematic Review of Its Drivers and Barriers

Advancing societal’s progress to achieve circularity is imperative as our linear (take, make, waste) economic model is highly unsustainable. It depletes our natural resources and substantially contributes to pollution and global greenhouse gas emissions. Our continued participation in the linear economy will also expose businesses to volatile resource prices and supply disruptions resulting from the scarcity of critical materials and geopolitical factors. Hence, there are compelling reasons for businesses to transit and participate in the circular economy. However, anecdotal evidence suggests limited practical implementations. Therefore, this systematic review aims to determine the most significant drivers and barriers that influence business leaders to transform their businesses for participation in the circular economy. By clarifying the most influential factors and their characteristics, we can introduce effective measures to encourage or mitigate them. This review takes a transdisciplinary approach to discuss salient and consequential ideas with depth and completeness. Its associated practical and managerial implications are also thoroughly discussed.

Sharing Model in Circular Economy towards Rational Use in Sustainable Production

Changing business models is a topical issue in a pandemic. Recent research has shown that the search for environmentally friendly and sustainable solutions in various sectors has become relevant. The article aims to promote cooperation and adaptation of good practices between countries. Comparing the country’s history and economic situation and economic development and traditions can be seen as a precondition for success. The article examines the introduction of sharing economy and the creation of environment-friendly trends establishing a circular economy by minimizing the population’s expenses, online business growth, and accessibility of Internet technologies. The article explores the difference between the linear economic model and the circular model by adopting sharing and the efficient joint use of materials to enhance and assess sustainable development. Based on a combination of theoretical and practical research, the article explores the dynamic system and development model of sharing a circular economy. The new concept of circular economy does not promote the overproduction of new goods but the rational use of already produced ones, which significantly reduces the amount of waste generated at all stages of the product life cycle. Population groups by different income groups for sharing services are analysed. An analysis of the price characteristics of popular sharing products was used from data from Internet portals. One concludes that due to the increase in Internet users, especially mobile apps, and social networks, C2C sharing has become quite popular over the past years. Other areas also show positive development indicators but have less demand, affecting supply. Based on an in-depth study of the economic situation in Ukraine, the authors have critically chosen an industry to set as an example with the actual business situation. Therefore, three packages were created: pessimistic, standard and optimistic ones with different characteristics of implementing circular economic projects. The chosen method allows rational management decisions for attracting financing and sustainable solutions. The company’s business scenarios analysed in the article will allow to choose a system based on circular economy principles successfully.

БИОЭКОНОМИКА КАК НОВАЯ ПАРАДИГМА РАЗВИТИЯ

The article reveals the role and importance of bioeconomics in the context of the transition from a linear economic model to a circular closed cycle based on the "cascade consumption" of renewable biological resources. It is determined that the main task of the domestic economy at the present stage should involve moving away from the raw material model, where the production, availability and use of biomass can be the key conditions. The official classification of biotechnologies in the Russian Federation is given, organizational aspects of supporting their development are disclosed, where an important milestone in the greening of the domestic economy is the approval by the government of the Strategy of Socio-Economic Development of the Russian Federation until 2050 with a low level of greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is noted that within the framework of organizational and economic regulation, a fragmentary approach dominates in revealing the essence of bioeconomics, where the development of biotechnologies is possible in the separate accounting of income from their use in each individual production sector, i.e. a "linear" concept is declared to a greater extent. In accordance with this, the tools of the system of organizational measures for the translation of the transition from linear economics to circular bioeconomics are proposed.

Waste Management and the Circular Economy in Cyprus—The Case of the SWAN Project

The increase in waste volume and greenhouse gas emissions and decrease in raw-material reserves are some of the serious problems that our planet is facing. The measures needed to address these issues cannot be implemented under the prevailing linear economy model; hence, the circular economy model has been introduced. The successful implementation of circularity, whose basic principles include waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, requires a change in the behaviour of all the parties involved and is expected to lead to industrial–urban symbiosis schemes. The present paper looks at the current state and future prospects of the circular economy in Cyprus, based on the evidence drawn from an EU-funded project entitled “a digital Solid Waste reuse plAtform for BalkaN” (Project Acronym: SWAN). The project’s main objective was the design and development of a digital solid waste reuse platform involving four countries: Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, and Cyprus. Using the data collected, in the context of this project, from a sample of Cypriot industries, we looked into the familiarisation of the respondents with the basic concepts of circularity and their willingness to participate in symbiotic value chains. Moreover, we examined the composition of the waste streams produced by those industries and proposed potential waste reuse business models and subsequent symbiotic clusters.