Search

This study provides a critical review of the current challenges faced in recycling glass packaging based on the principles of Circular Economy, and discusses opportunities to increase the waste glass recycling rate in Stockholm, Hong Kong Special Administration Region (SAR) and Shanghai. Several criteria were adopted from the definition of circular economy: i) whether there are any educational programs in place that teach and inform the populace and industries about loop-closing activities and their connectivity, ii) whether there are any profit-generating businesses supporting activities, such as recycling and reusing of salvaged waste glass, iii) whether there are any grassroots measures, such as waste glass sorting, that facilitate loop-closing profit-generating businesses, iv) whether there are policies in place to support loop-closing activities, and v) whether there are policies that cater to organizations (that are involved in loop-closing) at the micro-, meso- and macro-levels. All three cities approached their macro-level strategies differently. While Shanghai and Stockholm have specific circular economy-related legislation, Hong Kong uses its Waste Reduction Framework Plan to approve Promotion of Recycling and Proper Disposal (Product Container) Ordinance 2016. All three cities have policies that translate macro-level policies from the national or provincial level to the meso-level to influence industrial network and practices. For example, Shanghai uses its "Integration of Two Networks' concept in policymaking to integrate waste management and waste treatment systems in the local industry. Finally, the three cities collectively provide a rich array of micro-level circular economy strategies that involves different stakeholders. Although the three case cities are facing different challenged with different economic, cultural and institutional perspectives, lessons distilled from Stockholm, Hong Kong and Shanghai regarding circular economy-related education programs, loop-closing activities involving commercial sectors and grassroots civic sectors, and policies supporting loop-closing business and infrastructure provide other cities a rich source of information that may be relevant to others in the global effort to increase recycling rate of waste glass. [Display omitted] • Waste glass recycling strategies of three cities are assessed with CE concepts. • These cities are Stockholm, Hong Kong and Shanghai. • Commonalities include loop-closing practices and policies at three levels. • Each has Circular Economy educational programs supporting these policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]