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Production systems are being restructured to close production cycles via implementing circular economy (CE) practices. The planted tree industry in Brazil has shown potential for applying CE practices due to its efficient use of resources and inclination towards environmental innovation. However, some gaps and difficulties have been observed in several industrial segments so that the logic of the circular production system is put into practice more effectively and intensely. In this context, the aim was to investigate the use and impacts of CE practices in the Brazilian planted tree industry by sector of operation and scale of enterprises based on the ReSOLVE framework. Data were collected from 34 companies that answered a questionnaire, corresponding to 47.2% of Brazilian planted tree industry companies. Data analysis involved univariate and multivariate statistical techniques, considering the grouping of companies by sector of activity (forest producer, pulp and paper, and timber processing) and scale (small, medium, and large). The results revealed that "pulp and paper" and medium- and large-scale companies had the most significant application of CE practices and reported more significant impacts. [Display omitted] • Explores a segmented analysis of the circular economy by scale and sub-sector groups. • Scores of circular practices and their impacts are presented according to the groups. • The association between circular practices and impacts by group are analyzed. • Propositions to enable the adoption of circular practices are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • New tool, Circular Flow, tackles the lack of consistency in measuring circularity. • Circular Flow provides quantitative results for energy and material flows. • Circular Flow can be applied in any sector/system with material and/or energy flows. • Novel visual representation helps to spot opportunities for internalizing value. • A case study in a Brazilian agroindustrial cooperative was performed. Unlike the linear model "take-make-use-dispose", the circular economy model "grow-make-use-restore" intends to potentiate material and energy flows within a system with the premise of increasing environmental gains. Moreover, circular economy practices can be alternatives for closing loops in companies from different sectors, with material-, waste-, and energy-related initiatives towards promoting greater internal value-adding. However, the lack of consistent tools for measuring circularity of processes and companies is a gap yet to be covered. To tackle this gap, this paper's aims are: (i) to build a new tool, called Circular Flow, for generating greater internal value and competitive advantage in organizations and identify potential circular economy-related opportunities for closing loops based on external flows, (ii) to apply the tool in a case study, an organization that presents material and energy (electricity) flows and exchanges with other organizations, and (iii) to discuss the integration and potential opportunities for the tool in organizations. The novel, Circular Flow, tool is based on a set of circular graph visualizations, and quantitative circularity indicators. For the graphical visualization, the software tool R (using the Circlize package) was used. The graphs aid the visualization of several interconnected pieces of information, allowing to show all quantitative flows of inputs and outputs, intuitively showing the paths (origin and destination of each flow) within the boundaries of the system under study. The quantitative indicators, e.g. Circularity of the organization (Circ p) and Circularity of each process (Circ o), show a circularity index ranging from 0% to 100%, which can be assessed at different levels. The criteria to select these indicators are based on quantities of inputs and outputs regarding mass and electricity. The tool has been applied in a case study of a rural property in southern Brazil, which region holds a tradition for milk and pig farming. The use of the tool showed the involvement of the rural property with its neighbors and with an agroindustrial cooperative. Keeping these flows within the system may increase environmental gains by reducing transportation, using renewable sources of energy, reducing costs, and boosting the generation of jobs and income in the region due to new market opportunities and business models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to investigate the supply chain and reverse channels of expanded polystyrene packaging connection in Brazil and their roles to discuss the main challenges towards circular economy. In order to achieve this goal, we propose a four-step method, anchored in the literature, technical visits, and interviews with experts in the expanded polystyrene (EPS) industry. First, the EPS supply chain was characterised and mapped, and secondly, the stakeholders and logistics activities in reverse channels were analysed. Third, the Brazilian legislation and chain structure was reviewed to obtain an understanding of how this can influence the activities developed in reverse channels. Fourth, with an analysis of the data collected before, the barriers to implement EPS reverse chain were presented. The main results establish that the EPS can complete one cycle of the circular economy, which is recycling, but products need to be separated and washed. The most significant waste generators are public and private institutions, residences, and retailers. Notable barriers to its recycling are a lack of understanding of the nature of expanded polystyrene recycling by Brazilian people, high transport cost due to material density, and the dispersion of post-consumer expanded polystyrene in several regions of the country linked with the small number of recycling facilities. Finally, this issue could be explored in industries and companies that require their managers to adopt strategies to improve reverse logistics in order to promote the circular economy. The companies' actions could facilitate a stronger circular supply chain since they could increase recycling efforts, reduce expanded polystyrene waste, and present new business models. The resulting generation of employment would contribute to the quality of life of contemporary society. The findings presented in the paper enable industries to identify and guide the most demanding significant steps and processes, and to shift the reverse chain and expanded polystyrene recycling to ensure that they operate more efficiently. • Reverse logistics as the first step towards circular supply chain. • The paper maps the expanded polystyrene packaging supply chain and its reverse logistics. • This paper presents the barriers that hinder the reverse logistics in Brazil. • The main challenges are related to the consumers and the recycling industries. [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]

The aim of this paper is twofold: (i) to build a model by combining an agglomerative hierarchical algorithm with multicriteria analysis and geographic information systems (GIS) in order to identify whether there are opportunities to create strategic partnerships based on geographic coordinates of raw material suppliers and the volume of raw material supply; and (ii) to apply the model in a case study in order to identify suitable locations for building a biodigester, thus establishing strategic partnerships and circular economy-based practices. The model involves four stages: (1) defining the study site, (2) building the set of cluster solutions, (3) defining the suitable locations for building a biodigester, and (4) conducting analyses of feasibility of strategic partnership and sensitivity. The model was applied in a small region and it was analyzed the possibility of creating two or three clusters. The use of the model allowed, from both quantitative and qualitative perspectives, to preliminarily identify the possibility of creating a strategic partnership, and also determine the location of a biodigester. The case study applied in southern Brazil took place in a region with high potential for generating biogas from agro-waste. A geographic map with roads, rivers, and constraints was built. Strategic partnerships, sensitivity analysis, and circular economy-based practices were discussed. The results of this work could provide useful information when using the model for other regions, and the model could easily incorporate further criteria and conditions, making it flexible and tailored to users' needs. • An important source of clean energy that has been gaining interest worldwide is biogas. • The study build a model by combining an agglomerative hierarchical algorithm with multicriteria GIS. • The work identify whether there are opportunities to create strategic partnerships based on geographical coordinates. • The model was applied in a case study in order to identify suitable locations for the installation of a biodigester. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The significant e-waste generation in the Americas represents an important opportunity to implement waste recovery systems under the Circular Economy model. This paper conducts an exploratory analysis about the e-waste management at different scales (economic blocs and country levels) in the American continent, emphasizing generation patterns, e-waste fluxes and the regulation frameworks in Brazil and Canada in order to identify how the e-waste management options are driven by specific legal, economic, and environmental criteria. The methodology includes a review of literature covering information and indicators for both quantitative and qualitative analysis and comparison between selected countries regarding positive and negative aspects of e-waste management systems in each jurisdiction. The finds suggest that although Brazil and Canada have differentiated scope of regulation, both ratified the Basel Convention, have an action agenda that seeks to prioritize the management of hazardous substances, as well as lack of harmonized regulation, low control of the e-waste illegal trade and traceability. The identification of e-waste flows and comparison of economic blocs and countries is a still little explored theme and emphasizes the need for adequate legal measures to implement circular economy strategies to avoid impacts and enhance the value recovery of these materials in the production chain. Doing so could support harmonized regulation, new business models and increase sustainability levels for citizens through solutions that integrate policies and practices between and within economic blocs. [Display omitted] • The Americas play an important role for the e-waste management in volume and potential trade routes. • E-waste generation and GDP are directly correlated in MERCOSUR and NAFTA countries. • USA has a different pattern from NAFTA countries and Mexico has a similar pattern to South America. • Brazil and Canada have low e-waste collection and recycling rates, besides illegal e-waste trades, even as Basel Convention parties. • Upstream impacts can be mitigated by e-waste material recovery and efficient circular flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As municipal landfills are still the prevailing option for solid waste management in Brazil, there is a high possibility to recover combustible materials from both municipal and industrial waste streams with high calorific value through Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF). RDF can be utilized as substitute fuels in cement and other industries that could, in turn, reduce energy consumption and the landfill space for waste disposal. However, relevant policies for use of RDF in Brazil are unclear due to the lack of systematic socioeconomic assessment concerning cost, benefit, and risk aspects. This paper is aimed to present a system dynamics modeling analysis to estimate the availability of potential recyclable waste streams from municipal and industrial sectors for RDF production in Brazil and discuss possible policy interventions. The model was simulated based on a 20-year timeframe in accordance with possible waste management policies in Espírito Santo (a Brazilian state). The results provide the annual waste availability from four different routes with respect to the pessimistic, intermediate, and optimistic scenarios considered. With the partial implementation of the actions indicated in the proposed solid waste management policy, it is envisioned that there will be sufficient waste streams for RDF production under dynamic uncertainties, given the limited cost-benefit-risk trade-off assessment. In addition to the direct benefits of sustainable RDF production as a substitute for fossil fuels in the cement industry, the indirect environmental benefits are salient as the regulations for circular economy can be functional in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brazil, an emerging economy with more than 208 million inhabitants, is currently one of the biggest consumers of disposable diapers worldwide, generating huge waste streams to sanitary landfills or dumps. This take-make-dispose system causes high material and fuel consumption and serious environmental impacts. The concept of the Circular Economy, promoting that material flows should be circular, material and energy efficiency should be maximized and residues, as far as possible, designed out, has continuously gained attention over the last decade. For a Circular Economy, technological innovation, new business models and changes in consumer behavior are needed. The present study compares the use of modern cloth diapers and disposable diapers via a screening Life Cycle Assessment, checking conventional and innovative circular business models for the application of modern cloth diapers, such as the leasing or pay-per-service models, while focusing on the regional context of Brazil. Results indicate that cloth diapers show generally a better environmental performance than disposable diapers, whose poor performance is mainly due to their end-of-life treatment in sanitary or unsanitary landfill, provoking high greenhouse gas emissions. For cloth diapers, the most advantageous product system consists in a diaper-as-service model at large scale, using efficient continuous batch washers for sanitizing the diapers. Diaper-as-service models at smaller scale in so-called on-premise laundries show poorer environmental performance, due to higher water and energy needs. Domestic laundering of diapers is a good alternative regarding its environmental performance, because of its low energy consumption. However, consumers accustomed with disposable diapers might be reluctant to engage with this additional domestic labor. Image 1 • Disposable diapers hold bad environmental performance due to disposal in landfills. • Average conditions in Brazil lead to lower environmental impacts for cloth diapers. • Product-as-service-models should be used only with highly efficient batch washers. • The cotton used in absorbents of cloth diapers has significant influence on impacts. • Cloth diapers may be a bad choice or Brazil's regions with water scarcity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]