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The world is evolving towards sustainability and optimum resource management, with a rapid evolution towards a circular economy (CE). The focus on sustainability in the food and beverage (FoodBev) sector is a priority due to the close association and dependency on natural resources. The evolution of digitalization has accelerated sustainable development of the FoodBev sector and helped preserve sectorial natural resources dependencies. Digital skills are a key component of sustainable development, as skills are used to identify and implement sustainable solutions. Digitalization and the CE in the FoodBev sector are considered critical solutions for food waste and food loss, and potential drivers of sustainability. This study seeks to deploy a smart value chain tool for food waste and food loss management, and a digital mechanism for the sustainability of the FoodBev sector. The research team designs, develops, and demonstrates a python-enabled digital toolset, configured to construct a specific global search for sustainable alternates for waste and other streams of the FoodBev industry. The toolset adopts a combination of Artificial Intelligence techniques including data analytics and Natural Language Processing. The results provide for rapid technological alternatives identification for the sector. The paper provides technological alternatives for 18 FoodBev value streams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable development and reducing natural and energy resource consumption are the focus of the policies of many institutions. In this context, livestock farming is one of the major anthropogenic sources of GHG and acidifying gas emissions and requires comprehensive analysis to minimise its ecological footprint. For this reason, it is beneficial to analyse the various processes within this production sector to reduce the consumption of resources, particularly water and soil consumption; reduce energy consumption; and try to valorise the biowaste produced, especially manure, byproducts and wastewater. Reusing residual bioresource and organic waste offers the possibility of valorising a discarded product and, at the same time, reducing the consumption of natural resources. For this purpose, biorefinery processes allow bioresources to be transformed into bioproducts or bioenergy. Therefore, this study investigates the application of biorefinery processes to animal-derived waste, aiming to extract valuable resources while curbing resource consumption. This review analysed 293 scientific papers on biorefinery processes published in the last 11 years applied to livestock biomass to extract relevant information to understand the evolution of this topic and formulate hypotheses regarding future research directions. The analysis strongly emphasizes energy production and a growing interest in insect cultivation. In the coming years, one of the most significant challenges will be the successful transfer of technologies and processes from experimental research to the applied industry. To do this, it will be necessary to reduce costs, exploit economies of scale, improve process management, and develop synergies between different industrial sectors to implement smart circular economy systems. Overall, this review aims to clarify the hypothesis driving research in this area and emphasizes the tangible applications of findings within the broader context of sustainable resource management. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To comply with a circular economy (CE) and gain significant financial, environmental, and societal benefits, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) tend to adopt circular strategies, also known as "Rs". With a growing tendency to develop new Rs in CE frameworks, OEMs can become disoriented. While remanufacturing is often ranked low compared to other Rs, remanufacturing can still retain the highest product value (pull the used product value up to the top of the Retained Value Hill (see graphical abstract)).The aim of this paper is to align remanufacturing in comparison to other value-retaining processes (VRPs) in terms of the retained product value. To fulfill this aim, data was collected through a literature study and interviews with remanufacturers. The results show that although remanufacturing tends to demand more resources to retain a high product value, it outperforms other VRPs and delivers better output quality, assured with a longer warranty, neutral product identity, and extended (doubled or tripled) product use time. This paper enriches the research on remanufacturing, VRPs, and CE frameworks by showing that OEMs can ride the Retained Value Hill highest and longest only with remanufacturing. Retained Value Hill framework (inspired by Achterberg et al., 2016) with 6 VRPs: prepare for direct reuse, refresh, repair, recondition, refurbish, and remanufacture , where remanufacturing enables the longest and highest ride. The height of the Retained Value Hill refers to the retained product value, which reflects the output quality and can be measured by the exchange value in the economy. The length of the ride is a proxy of extended product life, which can be measured by the additional product use time. [Display omitted] • Numerous circular strategies disorient manufacturers. • Retained Value Hill framework orients manufacturers around circular strategies. • Manufacturers ride the Retained Value Hill highest and longest with remanufacturing. • Remanufacturing outperforms other value-retaining processes. • Retained Value Hill framework ranks remanufacturing high among circular strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shifting from a traditional linear to an alternative circular paradigm can foster economic growth and support sustainable capital renewal in the European Union. This topic has attracted growing academic interest in recent years. However, the evaluation of case studies regarding Circular Economy implementation, strategies, and practices (at all levels) is still in its infancy. With the aim of bridging this gap, this paper analyses, through a systematic review of case studies, the implementation of circular practices in all economic sectors and industries of the European Union (from 2015 until April 2023). To this end, this research uses a framework of circular strategies built considering the European Union political framework. Based on this analysis, it can be deduced that recycling was the most used circular strategy (24.2%) to reintegrate materials into the economic system and reduce the use of raw materials (18.9%), demonstrating the existence of virtuous circles in the European Union's economic sectors. The results show that the best performing industry, in terms of circular strategies, is Food and Beverage (17.92%), within the Agri-food economic sector. While the economic sector with the least number of circular strategies (7.86%) is Capital Equipment. This paper proposes several tools for Circular Economy implementation that could lead to future research and support business, policymakers, and the scientific community. [Display omitted] • Circularity implementation in the European Union's economic sectors is evaluated. • The most important barriers and challenges are outlined and discussed. • Circular strategies are obtained from the European Union political framework. • The main performing economic sectors and industries are listed. • Food and Beverage was found to be the most circular industry in the European Union. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of sustainability principles is becoming fundamental for companies, also for creating added value in the production processes. Production managers should not consider only the economic-financial aspects in their decisions, but also the environmental and social implications to extend the benefits to all current and future world populations. This vision requires to develop and apply sustainability-oriented methodologies to compare alternative production strategies. This paper contributes to addressing this problem by proposing a methodology that allows comparing different production strategies by considering their sustainable impact, starting with the definition of their processes. An aggregated sustainability index has been designed for this purpose. Thus, the paper contributes to the literature on the evaluation of sustainability through the development of a methodology, which can be used by the practitioners as a decision support tool to identify the most sustainable production strategy according to the objective of the company and the specific production process considered. Then, the proposed methodology has been applied to compare two different production strategies, i.e., AM-based remanufacturing and the production of new components. A simulation model has been implemented to reproduce the behaviour of the two competing production strategies. Although the results depend on the utilized data, this application showed that it is possible to distinguish different areas of convenience for each strategy. Moreover, findings revealed that the sustainability of the production strategies is strictly connected to the adopted technology and the importance given to the economic, environmental and social aspects by the company. • A sustainability based methodology for comparing production strategies is proposed. • Remanufacturing and new production strategies are considered. • Additive Manufacturing technologies are considered to conduct the assessment. • Remanufacturing is always the best strategy from the environmental perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organizations across the world are thriving for ensuring sustainability in their operations and business practices. The circular economy is a recent development of this decade that enhances sustainability initiatives. Apart from manufacturing, the service sector also can contribute to the promotion of a circular economy. Maintenance service of automobiles is a promising service industry where circular economy concepts can be adopted and implemented. Several automobile OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) are promoting the concepts of circular economy through their dealer garages. However, there is a requirement for a performance measurement framework for assessing the circular economy performance measurement of individual garages for continuous improvement. In this paper, an attempt is made to develop a framework for circular economy performance measurement of automobile garages using a graph theoretic approach. Various performance measurement attributes of circular economy performance of garages are identified through literature and garage visits. The interrelationships among attributes are modeled through a graph theoretical approach. A directed graph (digraph) of the circular economy performance (CEP) is developed, where its nodes represent circular economy performance attributes while the edges show the degree of interrelationships. An equivalent matrix to the digraph will generate a circular economy performance function (CEPF) that will result in the development of a circular economy performance index (CEPI). The developed framework is implemented for measuring the circular economy performance of an Indian automobile OEM's dealer facility. In ideal case, the value of Circular economy performance index ratio (CEPIR) should be '1'. In the illustrated case of a garage the estimated value of CEPIR is 0.234 which is considered to be poor that shows the garage needs changeover for improving CE initiatives. Further, sensitivity analysis was carried out and it was found that improvement in sustainable sourcing initiatives will result in proportional increases in the circular economy performance index. The developed index will help the garage organizations as well as their OEMs to have feedback on their practices for circular economy and understand the weak links. • Circular economy performance measurement is inevitable for the service industry. • This paper develops a framework for circular economy performance measurement of automobile garages. • The methodology of graph theory and matrix is used for modeling. • This study will help garages to have feedback on their circular economy practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circular Economy (CE) builds on the Industrial Ecology (IE) framework by taking a comprehensive approach to reducing waste, pollution, and pressure on natural resources within the broader multi-stakeholder production-consumption loop. Despite the potential benefits of CE, previous research has identified technical, organizational, and institutional challenges that hinder its widespread adoption. In this paper, we investigate how the cultural dimension of CE (e.g., stakeholders, socioeconomic interactions, values, and institutions), as opposed to its technical dimension (e.g., industrial symbiosis, reduce, reuse and repair), were addressed in previous literature, and show how applying Dewey's pragmatist philosophy to CE can facilitate its adoption beyond idealistic aspirations. To do so, we conducted a content analysis of 69 studies focusing on the definition and implementation of CE from technical and cultural perspectives. The findings show that environmental and efficiency motivations alone are insufficient for the successful large-scale implementation of CE. The cultural dimension of CE, encompassing the stakeholders involved in the production-consumption loop, their social and spatial relations, as well as the institutions and policies that govern their economic activities, is also essential to consider for effective CE implementation as it can be impacted by and impact CE. The paper concludes by discussing the contribution of a pragmatist perspective in taking the cultural dimension into account to advance national and subnational CE transition agenda. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper explores how the food packaging industry leverages external enablers in a transition to a circular economy (CE) and is a first to bring together the literature on external enablers of entrepreneurship with CE. Utilizing qualitative data, the findings offer insights on how CE related external enablers for the food packaging industry transformation. The paper adds empirical credence to the conceptual claims of the external enablement framework. The findings suggest that packaging manufacturers react to four enablers linked with CE, that push them toward circularity: political, regulatory, socio-cultural and technological. The industry is moving convergently and leveraging a relatively small range of mechanisms that shape the existing business. In addition, while we find that regulation is perhaps the most important enabler shaping the business, the triggering of more advanced innovation or entirely new ventures requires additional enablers. • We investigate circular economy through an external enabler perspective. • Qualitative case provides insights into circular economy in the packaging industry. • 4 enablers drive circularity: regulation, political, sociocultural and technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discussions about the circular economy have taken place in parallel with, but largely independently of, discussions about degrowth. The present paper brings into dialogue the two fields by contemplating what circularity in business could entail in the context of transformations towards degrowth societies. To this end, the paper relates to a recent, holistic reconceptualisation which views degrowth transformations in terms of both less and more on four planes of social being: material transactions with nature, social interactions between people, social structures and people's inner being. These planes signify depth of social being. The paper looks at business through the lens of this reconceptualisation before zooming in on circularity as an important manifestation of a sustainability practice in business. We argue that, in the context of degrowth, implementation of circularity as a principle and a practice should be deep. Relating circularity to each plane of social being, we focus particularly on the plane of people's inner being, the reason being that our mode of relating with the world would need to be significantly different to what it currently is, if deep circularity practices are to become more widespread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a conceptual framework that reflects the current state of thinking on tokenizing circularity in agri-food systems. The framework is built upon classifications of tokens and the key principles of circular economy and shows how tokenization can support circularity in agri-food systems through the flows of information and flows of value. Based on an integrative review of literature on tokenization, blockchain and the circular economy and multiple case studies in the agri-food domain, we show the relevance of tokenization to the circular economy in three ways: 1) enhancing traceability of physical and digital objects in supply chains; 2) improving transparency and credibility of circularity claims; 3) facilitating collaborative business ecosystems with incentives for more circular production and distribution. Based on the framework, we derive important research questions for future research agenda on tokenizing circularity in agri-food systems. [Display omitted] • The paper contributes to a better understanding of tokenization in agri-food. • A conceptual framework is developed for tokenizing circularity in agri-food. • Different pathways to tokenization in agri-food systems have been shown. • The framework is applied to six use cases in agri-food systems on tokenization. • The framework can be used by stakeholders to design tokenization in agri-food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Refrigerated Display Cabinets (RDCs) are used in the retail sector to display chilled and frozen food, and beverages. The manufacture of RDCs is typified by the extensive use of materials and energy, meaning that the development of a Circular Economy in this sector is particularly important. A number of behavioural barriers are preventing the development of the Circular Economy but an appropriate behaviour change intervention could help to overcome them. This paper investigates how effective the use of Persuasive Communication could be in influencing the Behavioural Attitudes, Product Perceptions and Behavioural Intentions towards the purchase of remanufactured RDCs. Participants in this study are engineers and academic experts of retail refrigeration equipment. The study was carried out in three consecutive stages. In the first stage participants completed a questionnaire, which assessed their Behavioural Attitudes, Product Perceptions and Behavioural Intentions. In the second stage participants were exposed to the intervention, which was the Persuasive Communication in the form of an audio-visual presentation. In the third stage participants completed a second questionnaire which assessed the impact of the intervention. The results show that the Persuasive Communication had a positive impact on the participants' Behavioural Attitudes, Product Perceptions and Behavioural Intentions towards the purchase of remanufactured RDCs. This paper demonstrates how effective this type of intervention could be, if developed further to create a target market and generate demand for remanufactured RDCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Profiting from the benefits of smart products connected through the Internet of Things (IoT) could disrupt business models and has the potential to foster a circular economy by embracing a performance economy. Extant literature has offered insights into circular strategies, smart products and product-service systems (PSS) in isolated ways or by considering partial overlaps, but lacks a holistic account of their interplay. By means of an integrated review, this paper synthesises literatures from various domains to describe interrelationships among these three concepts and propose a conceptual framework of smart-circular systems. This paper thereby advances research by providing a description of three binary interrelationships: smart circularity, smart PSS and circular PSS. Moreover, the review elaborates a new understanding of smart-circular (product-service) systems by articulating the base strategy smart use and extending the following circular strategies (or technical loops): maintenance, reuse, remanufacturing and recycling. Finally, the review outlines a critique of the state of the literature on this phenomenon and offers suggestions to guide future empirical and theoretical research in the domains of circular strategies, services and business models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Danish farmers are increasingly adopting sand bedding within their dairy farms, which is creating challenges for biogas plants, as sand-laden manure hampers biogas production. This creates a potential problem where large amounts of animal manure will not be utilized for biogas production, and, correspondingly, will not contribute to the production of either renewable energy or valuable digestate (fertilizer). Moreover, the pressure on an imported (external) and highly exploited resource - here, sand - is increasingly calling for more sustainable and self-sustained farm systems, as far as cow bedding materials are concerned. The methodological approach in this paper is first to investigate state-of-the-art sand-separation technologies in Denmark and the USA, particularly in relation to their environmental and energy performance, then, second, to analyze how other types of bedding materials can be utilized by drawing on on-site (internal) farm resources, namely residual straw and the fiber fraction of manure. The results of the analysis suggest that, in particular, manure fibers are beneficial for animal welfare and biogas production, resulting in a more circular economic system. The paper concludes by presenting a new farm-biogas system that sustains such circularity. To support this development, we further suggest investigating in new ventilation technology to limit the amount of ammonia that is produced in dairy stables as a result of using manure fibers as bedding material. Highlights • Sand bedding in dairy cow stables is a challenge for efficient biogas production. • Sand laden manure is currently treated using immature and inefficient technologies. • Combine animal welfare and bedding material that favor biogas production important. • Manure fiber bedding is a 'circular' and internal farm resource as opposed to sand. • Hygenized manure fibers can provide animal welfare, high milk and biogas yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper deals with the efficiency of the 28 European Union (EU) Member States for the years 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014 by employing Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and directional distance function to tackle undesirable outputs. Eight parameters are used, namely municipal solid waste (MSW) generation, employment rate, capital formation, gross domestic product (GDP), population density and for the first time sulphur oxide (SOx), nitrogen oxide (NOx) and greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions from the waste sector for the relevant countries. The innovation of this paper lies in the fact that both new parameters are taken into account and that diverse modelling techniques have been employed in terms of the outputs and inputs used. The empirical results obtained were bias corrected in order to get the correct efficiency scores for each country studied. Overall the most efficient countries were shown to be Germany, Ireland and the UK. These results were then reviewed against the recycling rate of each country for the examined time periods. The recycling rate actually depicts the DEA results, namely more efficient countries seem to have a higher recycling rate too. Moreover the DEA efficiency results were contrasted to the overall treatment options used in the countries under consideration. Overall it is noticed that countries employing all four treatment options with high use of more sustainable ones and decrease in the use of landfill are the ones that also proved to be efficient according to DEA. These results resemble the image of a financial crisis hit Europe which tried to take advantage of the more sustainable treatment options in order to achieve a transition to a circular economy, whereas the value of products, materials and resources needs to be maintained in the economy for as long as possible and the generation of waste minimised. This can be a valuable lesson for policy makers in the design and application of national and EU legislations and directives in order to achieve also the targets towards a circular economy driven Europe. Highlights • Employing DEA to assess national waste generation. • Three novel environmental production frameworks designed. • Directional distance function to tackle undesirable outputs. • Comparison of results with treatment options and recycling rates. • Policy implications under a circular economy approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract A rapid development of building environmental research from the globe is witnessed in recent years to deal with the environmental issues, especially in terms of energy consumption and carbon emissions, due to the substantial environmental burdens associated with the building industry. Thus, numerous scientific efforts have been devoted to buildings through environmental assessment like a life cycle assessment (LCA) and a methodological framework development. Concerning the rapid growth of buildings, LCA is increasingly used for assessing and mitigating the associated environmental impacts from material selection to the whole building systems. This study aims to comprehensively review the LCA implication on buildings by discussing the contemporary issues related to the development of this research field. The study considers a wide range of literature including case studies, reviews and surveys, and these articles are critically examined according to the predefined criteria developed. An in-depth analysis is also conducted on selected studies to unveil the criticality of the assessments and results under different considerations. In addition to demonstrating the research gaps for comprehensive assessment of buildings, the adoption of a circular economy (CE) concept is highlighted by providing a comprehensive framework. The findings show that resource recovery and resource-efficient building construction are seldom considered in prevailing studies. As a result, the framework proposed in this paper should help support a paradigm shift towards a comprehensive research for increasing the accuracy and practicability by introducing the CE principle to the building industry for enhancing its sustainability performance. Highlights • Literature related to building-environmental research was critically analyzed. • LCA implication on buildings was comprehensively reviewed by discussing the contemporary issues. • Selected papers were critically analyzed to unveil the research trends and practices. • Knowledge gaps for comprehensive assessment of buildings under the CE principle are identified. • Comprehensive framework based on the CE principle was proposed for comprehensiveness building LCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Reduced product lifespan results in accelerated flow of materials and ultimately more waste. Rapid technology cycles, frequently changing consumer preferences and increasing market competition, provide consumers with an opportunity to use products with more functions and better quality at a cheaper price. Consequently, these products quickly become technologically, psychologically, or economically obsolete—even before the actual end of their physical life/economic value—resulting in shorter product life cycles. These products are often disposed as landfill. In this context, it can be argued that reduced product lifespan has a significant impact toward, both the environment and the economy. To address this issue, our study investigates the concept of upgradability while exploring its potential as a product lifetime extension strategy. Several research papers regarding product upgradability have been published in the past in a variety of settings/domains. However, the collective contributions of these papers have yet to be summarized in order to provide a platform of knowledge for furthering the research on upgradability. To contribute to the body of knowledge, this article aims to identify, interpret, and summarize the current literature available on product upgradability. First results indicate growing interest and promising potential of upgradability as a product lifetime extension strategy, especially given the increasing importance of a product's middle of life phase in the context of Product-Service Systems (PSS). Additionally, upgradability facilitates the implementation of the circular economy, the dissemination of PSS, as well as remanufacturing approaches. However, our findings show that research on upgradable PSS is still dominated by theoretical work and more empirical research is necessary to further establish this concept. In terms of future work, there is a clear need to develop upgradeable PSS-specific design methodologies as well as associated sustainable business models. Highlights • Recently, there has been a fast-growing interest in upgradability related research. • Upgradability in the context of PSS has promising potential to extend product lifetime. • Upgradability facilitates the dissemination of circular economy and PSS. • Research on upgradable PSS is still dominated by theoretical work. • Need to develop design methodology and business models specific to upgradable PSS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circular economy (CE) is gaining popularity at different levels with the promise of creating more sustainable processes. In this context, cities are implementing a number of initiatives that aim to turn them into sustainable circular systems. Whether these initiatives achieve their sustainability goals, however, is largely unknown. Nevertheless, as the application of CE strategies is actively encouraged by many policies across the globe, there is a need to quantify the environmental impacts and to identify the strategies that support urban sustainability. This paper analyses the extent to which research focuses on quantifying the environmental balance of CE initiatives promoted at the municipal level. To this end, the analysis scanned CE initiatives reported in cities around the globe and classified them into urban targets and CE strategies. In parallel, the paper conducted a review of the literature that uses industrial ecology tools to account for the environmental impacts of CE strategies. Results show a diverse geographical representation, as reported cities concentrated in Europe, whereas for environmental research, the main results came from China. In general, cities encourage strategies relating to urban infrastructure (47%), with and additional focus on social consumption aspects, such as repair and reuse actions. In comparison, research mainly addressed industrial and business practices (58%), but the approach to infrastructure was similar to that of cities, both with a special interest in waste management. Research has yet to assess social consumption and urban planning strategies, the latter essential for defining the impacts of other urban elements. Hence, there is a need to define the environmental impacts of the strategies that cities select in their quest for circularity. Research and practice can also benefit from working collaboratively so as to prioritize the CE strategies that best fit into the features of each urban area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Rogers model of innovation diffusion, first proposed in 1962, has long featured in accounts of the penetration of new product technologies into society. The contention in this paper is that this model is in fact only half complete, for it deals exclusively with the uptake of new technologies rather than their retention or abandonment. Taking the Rogers model as a point of departure, this paper seeks to draw on the literature on nostalgia to characterize consumers who retain a specific technological artefact in the form of the car, then identify business models designed for those consumers. The paper therefore analyses the relatively neglected contribution of extended product lifetimes within circular economies and within the broader concept of socio-technical transitions for sustainability. The relevance of this contribution is that product longevity is one means by which lifestyles characterised by material affluence are reconciled with resource scarcity. Product longevity has the potential to contribute to slowing down the ‘velocity’ of material flows within the circular economy, and hence to the deferment of the investment of further energy (and materials) into the next cycle of consumption. Taking examples from the automotive industry and cars, the paper argues that the ‘post-peak’ (or post-production) retention of technologies may offer insights into both the viability and character of business opportunities, and a possible transition pathway into a post-consumer economy. The attraction of the post-production economy is in turn attributed to the concept of consumer nostalgia through which emotional engagement is translated into alternative forms of production and consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an investigation into the feasibility of repurposing end-of-life notebook computers as thin client computers. Repurposing is the identification of a new use for a product that can no longer be used in its original form and has the potential to become a hybrid re-use/recycling end-of-life strategy for suitable e-waste when direct reuse is not economically or technically feasible. In this instance, it was targeted to produce thin client computers using motherboards, processors and memory from used laptops while recycling all other components. Notebook computers are of interest for this type of strategy due to having a substantial environmental impact in manufacturing but often not having the option of direct reuse as they are prone to damage and experience a rapid loss of value over time. They also contain multiple critical raw materials with very low recycling rates. The notebook computers were sourced from Civic Amenity sites (CA) and originated from business-to-consumer (B2C) channels. A total of 246 notebook computers were collected and analysed. The paper outlines a methodology developed to identify, test, analyse, and disassemble suitable devices for repurposing. The methodology consists of the following stages with associated pass rates; Visual Inspection & Power-on Test (32%) the Initial-stage functionality test comprised of Functionality Test (56%), Diagnostics (100%) and Benchmarking (86%). The Disassembly stage had a pass rate of 100% and the Post-Disassembly Test comprised of a Validation test (86%). The Final-stage functionality test had a pass rate of 61%. The overall results show that 9% of the notebook computers were suitable for repurposing as thin client computers. It recommends the following design changes to notebooks/laptops that would support repurposing; 1) PCB mounted Fan and Heatsink assembly, 2) Eliminate daughter and I/O boards, 3) A separate Power Button assembly, 4) Reduction in size of the motherboards surface area or physical size. These design changes would allow for a more efficient transition for a change of role. A streamlined lifecycle analysis based on Cumulative Energy Demand (CED) was undertaken to compare the impact of repurposed notebook computers with new thin client computers. The results indicated that there are significant potential savings to be made by extending lifetimes and offsetting the production of new thin client computers under a range of assumptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The obligations arising from legislation and other instruments affect the macro-level decision-making related to the transition toward a circular economy (CE), which is a multifaceted topic since it tries to aggregate the interests of different stakeholders. In this context, this paper aims to analyse the current policies, strategies and initiatives related to the CE transition from a multicriteria perspective and under the lens of NIT (New Institutional Theory). This is the first approach that analyses which CE strategies and related practices boost the transition from a macro-level perspective, using a multicriteria method and considering developed and emerging economies. For this reason, this paper can be helpful for researchers and practitioners involved in implementing strategy and policymaking aimed at the transition toward a CE. It also contributes to the discussion on the global transition to the CE by identifying differences and similarities between countries. The proposed methodology has been applied to compare the realities in Italy and Brazil. The perceptions of several stakeholders from the two countries have been gathered through a questionnaire to evaluate numerous strategies against several social, environmental, economic, and technical criteria. The main results are: Italy presents a proactive behaviour, a higher level of institutionalisation, and a coercive isomorphism related to European regulations and strategies. In contrast, Brazil has reactive behaviour, a lower level of institutionalisation, and is impelled by mimetic isomorphism. Although it is possible to observe several advances in the last years in Brazil, the transition to a CE is still in the early stages compared to Italy. [Display omitted] • Transitioning to a new economic model is not a quick and straightforward process. • Transition requires changes in countries, regions, cities, supply chains and companies. • Some strategies and related practices have been adopted to enable the transition. • National legislation and Action Plans can boost the transition toward a circular economy. • In developing countries, the exploration of CE concept and its potential benefits has been rare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Housing practices are forcing accelerated demand for natural resources and flow-on effects contribute to severe environmental consequences. Transition to a Circular Economy (CE) offers some respite from this mounting pressure. To date, however, efforts to implement a CE have primarily focused on addressing the technical challenges associated with the long lifespan and complexity of buildings, overlooking the domain of housing. Research suggests that new business models should be developed as a precursor to embracing circularity. The Product-Service System (PSS) is one such promising business model. Yet, it is not well understood from the perspective of circular housing, with the existing literature scattered across several research streams. Using an integrative review approach, this paper investigates the concept of PSS and CE within the context of housing to describe their interrelationships and inform an integrated understanding of PSS as it applies to housing in a CE. A conceptual framework is proposed that discusses the PSS as a potentially viable life cycle approach to promote efficiency, longevity, and sufficiency for creating a CE in housing in three levels of energy, material, and space use. This paper further discusses renewed economic and social value proposition of PSS and how a transition to PSS practices may impact the housing industry's organisational arrangement. Finally, this paper critiques the state of the literature on this phenomenon, reveals gaps, and points to directions for future research, practice, and policy development. • An integrated review of 45 articles from the combined domains of CE and PSS in the context of housing is conducted. • The PSS is identified as a potentially viable life cycle approach for creating a CE in housing. • Industrialisation and digitalisation could facilitate a transition from traditional housing models to PSS. • Systemic and sociotechnical research is recommended to further develop the concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designing circular business models requires a combination of systems-level and company-level approaches, highlighting the importance of collaboration. While digital technologies can enable such business models, studies that shed light on the creation of multiple types of value in collaborative and digital technology-driven environments, are currently limited. This paper, therefore, aims to explore the process of designing digitally-enabled collaborative business models, using the UK plastics sector as a context that has seen a rise in new digital technology applications to plastics mandated by new regulations. To this end, we have worked with fifteen plastics sector organisations as part of an empirical qualitative study aiming to develop collaborative business models for a future plastics circular economy system in the UK. Together with the stakeholders, we have co-designed the value-retention and data-as-a-service business models that could be enabled by digital technologies such as tags. We show that the main stakeholder tensions relate to digital technology investments, access to recyclate and data, and digital asset management. We argue that such tensions might be the key cause of delaying experimentation with circular business models and enacting collaborations at the systems level. We suggest that future research could draw on quantitative data, such as investment costs to test these circular business models, in order to inform the discourse on infrastructural investments for sustainability. • Digital technologies enable new collaborative business models for plastics. • Value retention and data-as-a-service models are co-designed with stakeholders. • Collaborative tensions can hinder circular business model experimentation. • Technology investments, asset management, and feedstock access are sources of tensions. • A self-sustaining or subsidised system might incentivise collaborative action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction industry has been criticised for consuming high amounts of materials and generating high volumes of waste while creating several environmental problems. Material circularity refers to the systemic approach of retaining, recovering and reusing materials to minimise waste and reduce the consumption of resources, thereby promoting a sustainable economy. However, there is a notable gap in understanding and research regarding the necessary criteria to evaluate material circularity in building construction. This paper addresses this gap by developing a framework for evaluating material circularity in building construction. This was achieved by identifying the 15 sub-criteria used to evaluate material circularity and their respective significance levels. The material circularity criteria were identified through a literature review and expert interviews. Then, the finalised criteria were used to create a questionnaire survey in which respondents were asked to rate the criteria through pairwise comparisons. The fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) was employed to prioritise these criteria. Subsequently, the material circularity evaluation framework for building construction (M-CEF BC) was developed, revealing that adherence to design for disassembly and adaptability principles and avoidance of hazardous materials are the most significant criteria, accounting for a weightage of 10.4% and 9.2%, respectively. M-CEF BC also links material circularity criteria with the actions described in the ReSOLVE framework. Overall, M-CEF BC aids in selecting appropriate construction materials, methods, and technologies. Further, it helps to increase material circularity while achieving emissions reduction targets, financial benefits, and meeting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in building construction projects. Additionally, it provides valuable guidance for developing policies that enhance material circularity. [Display omitted] • Develops a framework for evaluating material circularity in building construction. • The three main criteria for evaluating material circularity are identified. • The fifteen sub-criteria are identified under three main criteria. • The fuzzy analytic hierarchy process is employed to prioritise the criteria. • The framework aids in elevating the degree of material circularity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the resilience of circular economy (CE) networks. By adopting a graph theory approach, a novel simulation model is developed to simulate the resilience performance under the effect of multiple types of disruptions. Simulation analyses are carried out to analyse the effect of the structural pattern of the CE network on resilience by comparing the performance across scale-free, small-world, and Erdos-Renyii-like patterns. The results confirm that the structural pattern affects resilience. In particular, they show that CE networks characterized by a scale-free pattern absorb random-placed disruptions better than the others, while CE networks characterized by a small-world pattern are more resilient to target-placed disruptions. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Firms' circular sourcing strategies are essential for the transition to a circular economy as they enhance circularity both within individual firms and across industries. A key barrier to the implementation of such strategies is that many approaches still offer a static perspective on resource use without addressing its evolutionary characteristics and dynamic interdependencies over time. Based on the assumption that companies' strategic procurement decisions on recyclate markets show temporal patterns depending on the development of these markets ("marketness"), the dynamics in the complex cause-and-effect structures of circular procurement strategies are analysed longitudinally with the help of causal loop diagrams. Employing a comparative case-study design with the example of German frontrunners sourcing recycled plastics, the paper addresses three recyclate markets at various stages of development, ranging from the emerging market of recovered plastic litter, through the developing market of plastic recyclate from mixed post-consumer packaging waste, towards the well-established market of recycled deposit bottles. The results reveal ideal-typical longitudinal patterns of company leaders' strong commitment to sustainability, facilitated by flexible organisational structures, significant investment in product development, sound supplier relationship management and brand building to sway consumer preferences towards circular products, indicating that market-shaping activities are key in long-term shifts towards circular market transitions. By understanding the dynamics of circular sourcing and their relationship with the development stage of recyclate markets, the study sheds light on potential governance measures to scale-up plastic recyclate markets for a circular plastics economy. It concludes that overall dynamics point to a steady development of firms' circular sourcing strategies and a rapid growth in recyclate application, involving complex challenges of resource circularity that call for carefully targeted regulatory policies. • Adoption of circular sourcing strategies follows ideal-typical durational patterns. • Company leaders' personal commitment is a primary factor in circular sourcing. • Key dynamics of sourcing practices are independent of market development. • Reoccurring patterns indicate market-shaping activities towards circularity. • Overall dynamics show sourcing strategy developments with increasing recyclate use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sediment contamination has emerged as a pivotal concern within aquatic ecosystems, posing complex challenges to both ecological integrity and human health. This review comprehensively examines the current state of sediment pollution, with a focus on the physicochemical interactions and bioavailability of pollutants embedded in sediment matrices. Significant attention is given to the advancements in methodologies for pollutant detection and the development of cutting-edge remediation technologies. The review reveals a notable trend: conventional remediation methods are being progressively enhanced by sustainable approaches, such as phytoremediation and bioremediation, in alignment with circular economy principles. Additionally, this review synthesizes research on the extraction of valuable materials from sediments, including precious metals and organic substances for energy generation, highlighting the transformative potential of converting waste into valuable resources. The paper also addresses the multifarious challenges in sediment management, ranging from technical complexities to economic and regulatory hurdles, and discusses the collaborative roles of various stakeholders in developing effective policy frameworks. By weaving together multidisciplinary perspectives, this work significantly contributes to the discourse on sediment management, advocating for a paradigm shift towards resource recovery and sustainability. It emphasizes the critical need for a comprehensive approach to sediment contamination, one that equitably balances remediation efforts with resource conservation, thus providing strategic direction for future environmental stewardship within the realm of ecological science. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrial Symbiosis (IS) projects are today well known for their contribution to sustainable development. Designing IS projects implies modelling the quantity of material flows between economic components (ECs), in particular to evaluate the environmental and economic gains obtained through more material circularity and use efficiency. The Industrial Symbiosis concept is now being applied to activities distributed over territories much wider than industrial parks. For such setups, existing modelling methods are becoming strained by the number of economic components involved, their dissemination within heterogeneous landscapes and the resulting complexity of the exchanges. In this paper, we propose a generic, spatially explicit simulation model based on stakeholder decision rules to study regional scale flows quantification between ECs in n-n IS networks. Our approach introduces the use of the Gale-Shapley stable matching algorithm for addressing the many-to-many supply-demand matching problem. The method is deterministic and provides stable solutions that optimise the individual objectives of the ECs. A second introduction considers using transport cost along the road network among the decision rules when ECs preferences are ordered. This solves the issue of correctly estimating travel distance in heterogeneous landscapes where it can be significantly different to the distance as the crow flies. We tested the model with the implementation of two real and concrete case studies related to the bioeconomy of a tropical island: (i) collective storage of fodder and (ii) co-composting platforms. The outputs of the model make it possible to compare scenarios based on EC satisfaction relative to supply and demand as well as the total distance travelled along the road network. Finally, we discuss the limitations and genericity of the model to explore diverse industrial symbiosis projects. • Industrial symbiosis material flow modelled using stakeholder decision rules. • Our approach is spatially explicit, determinist and based on interactions. • Stable deferred acceptance matching algorithm used to link economic components. • Decision rules incorporate transport costs estimated based on the road network. • Model tested in n-n networks involving several thousand components at regional scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the role of institutional pressures and supply chain integration in the adoption of Circular Economy practices. Using a Delphi-like approach and leveraging on a panel of 30 experts in the field of Circular Economy, this study aims to gain additional insights into how coercive, normative, and mimetic pressures can drive the implementation of circular supply chains. The findings reveal a hierarchy of institutional pressures, with coercive market and regulatory pressures having a greater impact compared to normative and mimetic pressures. Additionally, the study identifies various responses to these pressures, illustrating different trajectories towards the implementation of Circular Economy practices. Furthermore, the research investigates the role of supply chain integration. Generally, a higher level of supply chain integration can amplify the effect of institutional pressures, promoting the adoption of incremental Circular Economy practices. However, it is noteworthy to mention that supply chain integration may also hinder the adoption of more radical Circular Economy approaches, favouring the retention of linear supply chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public procurement is a mechanism through which the public sector can benefit from the latest technological processes and assistance from the private sector, while retaining its position as the main decision-maker in setting and implementing investment policies. This paper aims to make a quantitative analysis in an attempt to identify, to what extend, the contracting authorities in Romania, given the increased demand for the purchase of IT equipment caused by the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the recommendations of the European Commission in this field, have used, in their tender documents, evaluation criteria/factors specific to circular purchasing. In addition, the analysis aims to establish how the recycling and circularity process can be determined from the early stage of the tender documents, when establishing the evaluation factors that will directly impact the contract winner. Using principal component analysis and the Cronbach coefficient alpha combined with "the Varimax" method, the nature and the weight of the evaluation factors have been identified in a circular procurement process, considering the best value for money. The final findings represent a mix of criteria for IT circular procurement to be used to push the suppliers to clean/green production and to pull the market to a circular economy sales and consumption paradigm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the shortcoming of data envelopment analysis (DEA) not presenting any spatial meaning in regard to decision-making units (DMUs) and their peers, this research uses spatial agglomeration analysis to fill in this gap. It also establishes a closed-loop circular economy DEA model that replaces a conventional linear DEA approach to investigate whether low energy efficiency DMUs are adjacent to high energy efficiency peers by examining a spatial scatter diagram, because geographical analysis and spatial learning recommendations can help upgrade the energy efficiency of a low energy efficiency country. The observation data cover 27 European Union (EU) countries and the United Kingdom (UK) and span the period 2001 to 2014. The empirical results show that: (i) no matter whether the EU country is bordered by the sea, or is an island country, or is a landlocked country, this does not prevent the country from achieving energy efficiency; (ii) there are four energy efficiency centers in the EU, but they do not distinctly agglomerate; and (iii) there is a phenomenon of radical degradation in energy efficiency from high energy efficiency centers to low energy efficiency countries. • This study discusses circular economy's energy efficiency. • This study also extends energy efficiency analysis into the spatial agglomeration analysis. • This paper presents a spatial energy efficiency measurement. • The application is on the European Union countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circular economy (CE) paradigm in its broadest sense is key to our survival as a species. Due to this critical importance, understanding its fundamental limitations is thus of significant importance. Especially understanding the losses to Nature are key as these represent the true limitation to circularity. This requires at the minimum an understanding of the thermodynamics and entropy of the losses. Most CE work as well as the many depictions to date neglect to address this in detail, the many losses are brushed aside. Many texts in CE do not use the words entropy, thermodynamics, mass and heat transfer, technology etc. which all ultimately fundamentally affect both the circularity as well as economic viability of the system. Using lead as carrier for the narrative of this paper, the state-of-the art from technology to the thermodynamics as well as heat and mass transfer, product design, modularity, environmental impact, system simulation etc. will be critically discussed. This will reveal what key knowledge and data is presently missing to achieve the economically viable circularity of materials and products. This paper identifies what should be researched and developed to “close” the circular economy system. It thus provides a “ground zero” or baseline for the evaluation of the true economic viability of the CE paradigm relative to what we are presently achieving in our linear economy paradigm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The service sector has the potential to play an instrumental role in the shift towards circular economy due to its strategic position between manufacturers and end-users. However, there is a paucity of supporting methodologies and real-life applications to demonstrate how service-oriented companies can implement circular economy principles in daily business practice. This paper addresses this gap by analysing the potential of service-oriented companies in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector to build and implement circular economy business models. To this end, the Backcasting and Eco-design for the Circular Economy (BECE) framework is applied in an ICT firm. BECE, previously developed and demonstrated for product-oriented applications, has been developed further here for applications in the service sector. By shifting the focus from a product-oriented approach to a user-centred eco-design, the paper shows how ICT firms can identify, evaluate and prioritise sustainable business model innovations for circular economy. The two most promising business model innovations are explored strategically with the aim of designing circular economy models consistent with the company's priorities of customer satisfaction and profitability. The findings suggest that ICT companies may be able to support the deployment of a circular economy in the service-oriented technology sector. Importantly, micro and small organisations can play a fundamental role if provided with macro-level support to overcome company-level barriers. Finally, the BECE framework is shown to be a valuable resource to explore, analyse and guide the implementation of circular economy opportunities in service-oriented organisations. Further research to verify the application of the findings to other service-oriented organisations is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Circular Economy (CE) is currently a popular notion within the policy and business advocacy groups. Despite being visionary and provocative in its message, the research on the CE concept is emerging. The two intertwined objectives of the paper are; first to identify, discuss and develop the various definitions provided by the emerging literature. Secondly, to suggest an initial research approach with which research on CE can be conducted. Our analysis shows that the existing CE work is mainly done on the practical and technical levels of the actual physical flows of materials and energy in production-consumption systems. The focus of the extant literature is on concrete metrics, tools, instruments and computations. Therefore, the basic assumptions concerning the values, societal structures, cultures, underlying world-views and the paradigmatic potential of CE remain largely unexplored. We argue that CE has already become what Gallie (1955) more than six decades ago termed as an “essentially contested concept” (ECC). The paper further suggests a model for CE research that helps in the categorization, classification and organization of research and investigation on CE. The model can help in limiting the observed unbalance and enhance the contribution of the CE approach to a more sustainable global society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In industrial practice a transition from a linear (take-make-dispose) to a circular product system (considering reuse/remanufacturing/recycling) requires the change of business models through new value propositions. In doing so the focus of the value proposition shifts from selling a physical product to providing access to functionality through business innovation. One key factor related to circular business transitions is market acceptance. It is particularly challenging to understand what complexity a new concept like circular economy (CE) brings to established businesses where the success and the failure of the business is dependent on customer's acceptance of new value propositions. Purpose This paper empirically explores the opportunities of a circular business approach for washing machines in the city of Stockholm by quantifying and assessing customer preferences for CE value propositions for a business to customer (B2C) scenario. Method This study uses the method of choice-based conjoint analysis to investigate preferences based on the attributes price and payment scheme, environmental friendliness as well as service level. Originality This paper is the first of its kind to assess customer preferences from the CE market acceptance point of view using a conjoint approach and provides insight to what extent new CE value propositions may be adopted. Findings Results indicate that there is general interest in paying for access rather than for ownership. Service levels have the strongest impact on customer utility of a washing machine offer. If associated with reduction in CO 2 emissions the number of remanufacturing cycles can increase purchase probability. As a method choice-based conjoint analysis is highlighted as beneficial to break down CE value propositions and to identify to what extent particular service-related attributes and product-related attributes contribute to overall customer utility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A strategy supporting the development towards a circular economy is industrial symbiosis (IS). It is a form of collaborative supply chain management aiming to make industry more sustainable and achieve collective benefits based on utilization of waste, by-products, and excess utilities between economically independent industries. Based on an extensive analysis of published studies on existing IS collaborations and interviews with central stakeholders of a comprehensive IS, this paper investigates IS from a supply chain collaboration perspective. A theoretical framework is built and used to discuss how industrial symbiosis pursues sustainability and to identify the main collaboration aspects and performance impacts. This framework is then used in the analysis of selected published cases. Based on this, we derive propositions on the organizational and operational requirements for collaboration in the context of IS networks, related to the supply chain integration and coordination practices. As IS has only received little attention in the operations and supply chain management community, our propositions directly lead to future research directions. Furthermore, the analysis in this paper provides directions to increase the feasibility and resource efficiency of IS networks and can hence be used by stakeholders involved in these networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on the concept of decoupling, from institutional theory in organizational studies, this paper explains how organizations mitigate demands for circularity. Seven Swedish apparel companies that have started collecting used clothes as a form of engagement with circular business models serve as case studies. The paper shows how outsourcing and internal separation allow these companies to buffer their business model and core way of creating value from emerging demands. It also shows how companies pro-actively work at influencing institutional demands for circularity by making these demands compatible with their own interests. The concept of decoupling thereby provides key insights into the development and implementation, or absence thereof, of circular business models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bike-sharing could play an important role in any future circular economy since sharing solutions have the potential to challenge the current automobility regime. This paper examines the potential contributions of two Swedish bike-sharing initiatives: grassroots-initiated bike kitchens and a commercial bike-sharing service system. We explore and analyze the visions of these initiatives and how they can be nurtured in order to support a circular future. The results indicate that the incumbent regime challenges cycling initiatives through commercialization and professionalization pressures. The paper notes that the studied initiatives can contribute to a future circular economy, but in different ways. While bike kitchens support the social aspects of circularity, commercial bike-sharing is more likely to support ecological aspects. Both kinds of initiatives are crucial and rely on the support of public actors with a strong sustainability agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From the perspective of the agricultural circular economy, rebuilding the crop-livestock integration system contributes a lot to improving the recycling rate of livestock manure, and reducing the application of synthetic chemical fertilizers, thereby fundamentally curbing agricultural pollution. In this paper, we use the latest provincial statistical data of China (2000–2020) to assess the circulation linkage between crop and livestock production. It can be concluded that livestock manure nitrogen and nitrogen requirements of crops both show an increasing trend from 2000 to 2020. Cropland Carrying Capacity of Breeding Livestock (CCCBL) has risen significantly by 37.34%, with an increase of 0.97 × 109 heads (unit: pig equivalent, which is used to measure livestock manure emission). Cropland Carrying Capacity Index (CCCI) exhibits a decreasing trend with the index being 0.47 in 2020, which further indicates that China's cropland has a great potential for carrying more livestock manure. Furthermore, through the scenario simulation, it can be projected that the livestock manure nitrogen will be 18.91 Tg and nitrogen requirements of crops will be 36.14 Tg in 2050. Thereby, rebuilding the crop-livestock integration system is necessary to achieve the dual goal of economic development and environmental conservation. Finally, this paper proposes that the government should optimize the crop-livestock geographical distribution and promote the upgradation of circular agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current planetary crisis and the perceived urgency necessitates more sustainable production and consumption patterns. Businesses, particularly the multinationals, play a key role in transitioning to a circular economy, which provides a promising approach to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Industry 4.0 technologies can theoretically support this transition and enable circular economy through, for example, data-driven and smart business processes. However, merging these new technologies with a circular economy is not a straightforward and well-established process and it fundamentally changes the business value chain. Therefore, this paper provides a systematic overview to help better understand the transition process to circular business models and the enabling role of industry 4.0. Merging these concepts underlines that many factors are interrelated and should be investigated in a holistic way instead of siloes. The findings imply that changes transcend business boundaries, including new value chain characteristics and operation models and indicate the interconnected nature of certain factors along the product lifecycle, including service-based models, circular design, reverse flows, consumers and users, and collaborations. This paper proposes a conceptual transition framework to address how new circular business models can integrate digitally adaptive transformations and proposals for future research are reflected upon. • Circular economy transition goes beyond the boundaries of one company and affects many elements in a business model. • Transition to circular business models implies that technological and human changes introduce challenges and paradoxes. • Different Industry 4.0 tools can be applied across business model elements to introduce circular economy principles. • We propose a conceptual transition framework that facilitates the transition from traditional to circular models. • We underline the benefits Industry 4.0 tools offer as well as the interconnected nature of the circular economy transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To promote their public image, a growing number of companies have adopted corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects that benefit various social interests. As such, it is imperative to audit the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of CSR projects for their sustainable development. This paper presents an assessment of three CSR projects undertaken by the energy industry (renewable energy) and commercial sector (plastic waste recycling) in Thailand to transition towards the circular economy (CE) business model. A set of CE indicators were selected from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development: WBCSD 2018 European Commission 2018, and British Standard Institution 2017 and compared with the sustainability indicators listed in the ISO 26000:2010 (referenced in the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI): G4 Guidelines). These indicators were established to assess the readiness of companies to implement sustainable CSR projects. The assessment results showed that the CSR projects in the case study were conducive to the CE model, as most of the CE concepts evaluated by the performance indicators were already in place. This study aimed to support the implementation of CSR projects that contribute to adopting a CE business model and determine key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure and monitor CSR projects in terms of their CE concepts. The sustainability KPIs proposed in this study can serve as a set of guidelines to drive CE strategy adoption and allow for the identification of sustainable CSR projects that can simultaneously offer more value creation and satisfaction for all stakeholders, including society and the companies, while reducing environmental impacts. This paper integrates CSR into a CE approach that results in business sustainability and contributes to Sustainability Development Goal (SDG) targets. [Display omitted] • KPIs were adopted for the comprehensive assessment of CSR projects. • CSR projects of renewable energy and plastic waste were evaluated in their ability to CE concepts. • The KPIs can identify sustainable level and contribute to CE and SDG targets of businesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing packaging with enhanced features helps organisations transition from a linear to a circular economy. The paper aims at mapping the barriers, incentives and potential outcomes which can be reached by organisations via such innovative packaging solutions and providing insights to researchers concerning the application of their knowledge in this complex field. Our study comprises 130 articles from 1991 to 2021, identified through a systematic review methodology. The evolution of intelligent packaging was classified and mapped taking into account the principles of circular economy, the main incentives and barriers which can help or hinder the upsurge of the packaging with enhanced features, and the potential outcomes that can be achieved by organisations. By using a Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) combined with the Choice of Active Categories (COREM) approach, three clusters were identified: (i) buying process, (ii) value chain issues, (iii) collaborative issues. These clusters enable researchers to position their future contributions in the area and associated insights linked to new trends in the packaging field should facilitate managers in developing strategic pathways and supporting action research to enhance their packaging solutions. The paper also suggests to "decompose" the field, by starting with bottom-up studies with a circumscribed scope, and then synergically puts them together into a more general perspective. • The paper discusses the evolution of intelligent packaging towards circular economy. • It analyses 130 articles (1991–2021) identified through systematic review methodology. • Three clusters are identified: buying process, value chain issues, collaborative issues. • Action research directions of circular intelligent packaging are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circular economy is a social, technological and economic paradigm that aims to build a production and consumption model focused on waste reduction and maximization of discarded matter recovery. Discussion of the circular economy often treats it as a technocratic and profit-driven phenomenon that can be developed by capital investment in a particular industrial sector without necessarily taking into account the needs of the surrounding geographic area. The promotion of the circular economy often emphasises recycling and other practices that may not fully use the recovered material but are highly automatable, thus creating only a limited number of jobs. At the same time, there is another model of the circular economy, in which small and medium-sized organizations engage in transformative and low-technology activities such as reuse and repair, benefiting local development and creating job opportunities. This model is often explicitly driven by a social development mandate. Still, it risks falling short of its goals because of a lack of expertise and a less systematic approach. This paper aims to introduce the Design-led Repair & Reuse (DLRR) framework for mitigating the shortcomings of this second model, using an approach that is both sustainable and accessible to organizations with limited resources. Inspired by the principles of "Design-driven innovation", "social & solidarity economy", and "appropriate technology", DLRR aims to generate a higher quality of processes and products from circular, low entropy and low capital-intensity production activities, resulting in a more solid, identifiable and conscious positioning in the reuse market. It complements the socially inclusive ethos of these third sector small and medium-sized organizations while contributing to the debate on integrating alternative perspectives into the mainstream circular economy discourse. The first part of this paper discusses the theoretical principles that have inspired the DLRR framework. The second part presents research that tests the consistency of these founding principles based on a case study of a sample of organizations in Italy that are active in circular waste transformation processes. • The circular economy is an emerging paradigm in the race to achieve environmental sustainability. • Mainstream discourse on circular economy often does not focus on the social dimension of sustainability. • This discourse often interprets circular economy in a technocratic way, emphasizing high-tech, capital intensive approaches. • Reuse and repair practices are more technologically accessible, and can foster the creation of job opportunities. • A Design-led reuse and repair approach can contribute to strenghten the social dimension of circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A transition to a circular economy (CE) affects different stakeholders – positively and negatively. Social aspects still receive little consideration in the context of CE, which is why the assessment and monitoring of the social impacts of CE still require further development and consideration in research. In this context, social circularity indicators and social life cycle assessment (S-LCA) are important tools that were examined in more detail in this study. This paper aimed to assess the current state of social circularity indicators in the literature, the implementation of S-LCA to assess CE concepts, and which additional indicators might be included in future S-LCA studies. Focus will be on the methodological approach of how to assess the social impacts of CE. A systematic literature review was conducted using Scopus Database, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. The search terms were derived from the aim of the study to identify the social impacts of CE in existing literature, to compile relevant social indicators in the context of CE, and to analyze the current role of S-LCA in the assessment of CE concepts. 97 papers were found. After excluding contributions that did not match the search criteria and adding new relevant contributions found through the analysis of the identified studies with the snowball sampling approach, 40 papers were considered in the review. 40 social impacts of CE were found within the literature. About half of them were positive and the other half negative. The authors found that positive impacts for some stakeholders could imply negative consequences for others, e.g., job creation in one region might lead to a decline in job opportunities in other regions. To assess CE, 104 single social indicators and 9 composed indicators were identified. Most of them could be linked to stakeholder groups and subcategories proposed in the UNEP S-LCA guidelines (UNEP, 2020). Training and education, job creation, as well as health and safety were relevant identified indicators in the context of CE. S-LCA has rarely been used in the assessment of CE strategies so far and needs to be standardized for application in the industry. Not all social impacts of CE are addressed by existing indicators. This, and the fact that not all circularity indicators that address social consequences of CE (social circularity indicators) are covered with S-LCA, reveals the need to suggest and harmonize additional subcategories that are especially relevant for CE. The authors propose to apply and integrate the identified social circularity (inventory) indicators in future S-LCA studies to assess CE concepts. • About the same amount of positive and negative social impacts of CE were revealed. • 104 single social circularity indicators and 9 composed indicators were identified. • S-LCA is suitable for assessing the social impacts of CE. • Future S-LCA studies on CE might include specific indicators listed in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the concept of circular economy is gaining increasing attention, there is a lack of tools or any agreed methodology for evaluating circularity. To date, circularity has been assessed mainly at product level, but national and regional level assessment is also essential in evaluating the effectiveness of circular economy strategies. As regions play an important role in implementing both EU and national strategies, the paper seeks to develop indicators for evaluating the circularity of material flows at regional level. In the case region of Päijät-Häme in Finland, the circular economy strategy is among the region's smart specialisation spearheads, and Päijät-Häme has a road map for moving towards a circular economy. The material flows examined in this study were phosphorous, plastics, textiles, waste wood and ash. While the region has high utilisation rates for plastics, textiles and waste wood, a significant proportion of material flows relates to energy production rather than material recycling. The present analysis highlights the difficulty of obtaining regional-level information on material flows; the available information and statistics relate mainly to waste flows or to national averages that do not necessarily reflect regional characteristics. For that reason, the indicators are based on circulation of waste materials rather than material circulation for the whole value chain from manufacturing to reuse and recycling. Nevertheless, the developed indicators provide a simple measure of circularity for regional material flows and can be further developed as more information becomes available. • Comprehensive and systematic analysis on measuring the circularity of different materials at regional level. • Development of new indicators for the measuring of circularity of material flows. • Explaining how to measure material circularity taking into account production, reuse or recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circular economy (CE) framework has captured the attention of industry and academia and received strong policy support. It is currently deemed as a powerful solution for sustainability, despite ongoing criticism on its oversimplification and lack of consideration of socio-ethical issues. In parallel, the concept of RRI has emerged strongly with a strong focus on the integration of social desirability in innovation under transparency, democracy and mutual responsiveness principles. In this paper, we critically examine the literature on the CE and RRI in order to find out how the different focus of RRI may provide an innovation governance framework to strengthen the CE framework. There are two main ways in which RRI could further the CE: first, anticipating unexpected consequences, helping to break disciplinary barriers and acknowledging systemic limits that are not currently taken into consideration; and second, the integration of socio-ethical issues in the CE, and addressing the social implications of the CE through stakeholder participation. However, future research should look at remaining blind spots of CE and RRI, such as non-technological innovation, the demand-side of innovation and the development of business models. With that objective, we suggest a research agenda for common development of the frameworks. • Neglect of unintended consequences is a problem in current CE literature. • Lack of consideration of socio-ethical issues is a major criticism of the CE. • RRI provides a socio-ethically oriented innovation governance framework. • The RRI framework may help to address the shortcomings of the CE. • Further integrative research is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huge depletion of raw materials, inefficient waste management practices, increasing population and consumerist lifestyles, are even more coping companies with the adoption of Circular Economy (CE) principles in their Business Models (BMs). However, benefits coming from the implementation of CE within companies are not always clear to managers. To this aim, the paper has a multiple purpose. Firstly, the work provides to academics the list of the benefits deriving from CE adoption through a systematic literature review, declined under the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) perspective of sustainability, also by validating and grounding them through four practical use cases. Secondly, the work links CE benefits with a set of CBMs – based on Product-Service Systems (PSSs) – through a set of interviews with experts belonging to the Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) sector, trying to support industrials in both i) detecting benefits related with the adoption of CBMs, ii) increasing their awareness on benefits and iii) reaching them into practice. Given that PSS-based CBMs are renown both by the scientific and industrial community as the most suitable ones to achieve circularity, they were considered as the most appropriate to adopt also in this work. Finally, four use cases coming from the WEEE sector demonstrate how to link CBMs with CE benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research on circular offerings has indicated that the lack of consumer and user acceptance of circular offerings is one of the primary barriers for the transition to a circular economy. Available studies on this topic have used data from hypothetical scenarions, reducing their explanatory potential. Today, established circular businesses such as fashion subscription services open new research opportunities to address such limitation. In this context, this paper assesses the suitability of user-generated online reviews as a novel source of information for investigating factors and conditions of acceptance and adoption of circular offerings in the fashion sector. Based on the data analysis, it was found that user-generated online reviews were credible, contributed with new insights regarding factors and conditions of acceptance and allowed us to analyse a significant number of observations. The reviews provided significant insights into economic factors and the impacts this type of offering had on the daily life of users, an aspect that has been studied rarely, so far. Nevertheless, this type of data sources also presented some limitations. On the one hand, and because of their nature, they did not offer significant insights into other consumer and user acceptance factors identified in the literature such as demographic, psycho-social and cultural factors. On the other hand, they only provided a snapshot of the user experience in a given moment of time. To address these limitations, we suggest future research on user and consumer acceptance of circular offerings should investigate ways to integrate user-generated online reviews with more traditional tools and methods to gain insigths into cultural and psychosocial factors, explore additional sources that can help capture the dynamics of service use such as social media, online communities and customer service chats, and expand data collection to other market segments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasingly efficient use of scarce resources is a central theme in the gradual transition towards a circular economy. Hazardous materials represent a category of resources that is often difficult—and potentially risky—to transport, store, or neutralize. As a result, hazardous materials are rarely included in closed material loops. The present paper analyzes HorsePower, a business concept centered around an innovative way of utilizing horse manure. Horse manure is generated in millions of tons in horse-rich countries such as the UK, Germany, and France. It is a hazardous resource, as it may spread diseases, and cannot be disposed of or landfilled economically. The content analysis of 21 semi-structured interviews carried out with different business actors participating in the HorsePower business network reveals that the success of HorsePower stems from its ability to combine the complementary capabilities and material needs of a relatively complex network of business actors including stables, sawmills, logistical service providers, and heat and power plants. Each actor receives added value; the benefits from participation are greater than the sacrifices of participation. Furthermore, the findings show that certain types of hazardous resources, when combined with resources produced by another actor, may be burned efficiently and safely in specific power plants, reducing the need for other types of fuel. The observations imply that novel approaches for effectively sharing ideas and resource needs across organizational boundaries are needed to facilitate the development of additional innovative CE business concepts, leveraging both actor-specific capabilities and intra-actor resource dependencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The worldwide growing of electrical and electronic equipment makes increasingly urgent to find environmentally friendly treatments for e-waste. In this paper, the attention has been focused on i) the eco-friendly dismantling of the electronic components from Waste Printed Circuit Boards and ii) recovering of pure metallic copper, which is the most abundant metal and one of the most valuable in Printed Circuit Boards. After an experimental optimization study, we found that a solution containing 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 , 0.4 M CuSO 4 , and 4 M NaCl can be successfully used to disassemble the electronic components from the boards by leaching of all exposed metals. Air was blown into the leaching solution in order to regenerate Cu2+ ions, which acts as the predominant oxidant specie. The key role in dismantling/leaching process is played by Cl− ion that stabilizes Cu+ through the chloro-complexes formation. The results show that, in this manner, the electronic components can be easier disassembled in undamaged state, allowing the efficient recycling and valorization of the base materials. The feasibility to recover electrochemically the copper from the solution resulting from dismantling/leaching tests was verified through a preliminary cyclic voltammetry study aimed to investigate the copper electrodeposition in sulphate-chloride solutions in the presence of other metal ions such as Ni2+, Fe2+, Zn2+, Pb2+, Sn2+. A two-compartment electrochemical cell operating in either galvanostatic or potentiostatic mode was employed to investigate simultaneous copper recovery and leaching solution regeneration. The results indicate that, in both modes, pure copper can be obtained after the removal of all surface impurities by dipping in acidic concentrated sodium chloride solution. The galvanostatic mode leads to deposit of higher quality, meanwhile the potentiostatic one determines a faster deposition and leaching solution regeneration. Image 1 • An environmentally process for dismantling and Cu recovery from WPCBs was reported. • Large size pieces or even entire WPCBs were used. • H 2 SO 4 –CuSO 4 –NaCl solution was used to dismantle electronic components from WPCBs. • Electronic components were dismantled in undamaged state by leaching of all metals. • Pure Cu can be recovered simultaneously to the leaching solution regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to unclear research boundaries and a confusion between direct and indirect emissions, the impact of the circular economy (CE) on carbon emissions needs to be researched in depth. In this paper, we use a life cycle model based on carbon emissions and carbon reduction to build an emissions (reduction) matrix for the carbon footprint (CF) of coal-fuelled power generation, and then calculate the life cycle carbon emissions from China's coal-fuelled power CE parks. Results show that carbon emissions from China's coal-fuelled power at the industrial park level follow the trend of raw coal production and consumption, increasing from 2000 to a maximum of 3.25 billion tCO 2 e in 2014, with the proportion of direct emissions remaining stable at above 86%. The life cycle CF in 2016 was 778.9 gCO 2 /kWh, a decrease of 20.81% compared to 2000. The positive and negative impacts of the CE from 2000 to 2016 were quantitatively analysed, and resource recycling measures will reduce the overall carbon emissions of industrial parks through the substitution of carbon-intensive energy sources. Finally, policy recommendations are proposed to reduce life cycle carbon emissions by energy replacement and embodied emissions control. The novelty of this study is the quantitative evaluation of indirect carbon emissions caused by the CE and determining the correlation between CE and carbon emissions reduction. • Highlight the indirect impact of the circular economy on carbon emissions. • Evaluate the carbon footprint (carbon emissions and reduction) of coal-fuelled power. • The life cycle carbon footprint decreased by 20.81% between 2000 and 2016 to reach 778.9 gCO 2 /kWh. • Circular economy had an overall net reduction in carbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]