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Delegates that contributed to the data at the Resource Recovery from Waste annual conference on "Making the Business Case for Resource Recovery".
Source publication
People altered the biophysical environment upon which they depend through the overexploitation of resources and growing waste generation. Action is urgently needed to return the resource economy within planetary boundaries and safeguard human well-being, by realising an increasingly closed-loop system that maintains values of materials and products...
Context in source publication
Context 1
... conference attracted 68 experts from a diverse background yet all working on circular economy ( Fig. 1) and mostly from the UK (93%); 18% were professors, 9% directors and 16% other senior management. The event opened with a plenary session discussing overarching drivers and challenges to formulate successful business cases for resource recovery; followed by parallel sessions on core subjects within RRfW, including bioeconomy, landfill ...
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Citations
... Moreover, trust between employees and their employers, as well as between employees and their managers, suppliers, and customers, including cooperation, is crucial for the successful implementation of innovative and long-term business plans [57,71]. Thus, establishing a positive working relationship and trust between an employee and supervisor is essential for the successful completion of tasks [18,24,57,84]. ...
The built environment is highly resource-intensive economic sectors and produces significant waste. Thus, circular economy has the potential to address these challenges caused by the construction sector’s adoption of the linear economic model. During the 21st century, there has been a tremendous growth in circular economy research; nonetheless, there are substantial research gaps regarding the enablers to instigating circular economy practices in the built environment of emerging economies such as Bangladesh. This article sets out to unpack the enablers relevant to circular economy implementation at the industry level for the built environment of Bangladesh. To address the aims of this qualitative study, ten face-to-face, semi-structured interviews were conducted for each identified circular economy enabler among experts and practitioners from institutions involved in Bangladesh’s built environment. In depth observation and thematic analysis were used to identify and categorize the most significant enablers to circular economy implementation in the built environment. This research study reveals that the adoption of innovative materials and technologies, as well as the implementation of circular design principles, significantly reduces the demand for virgin resources and energy consumption during the construction process. The result of this research provides enough empirical evidence to identify the enablers to circular transformation for the built environment of Bangladesh. The research underscores the evidence about the managerial implications of the circular economy enablers, representing the first comprehensive attempt to identify and validate the enablers to circular economy transformation in Bangladesh’s built environment.
... This indicates that waste minimization and contribution to SDGs automatically promote resource efficiency in construction with CE. Owojori and Okoro (2022)and Velenturf and Jopson (2019) are also supporting in a similar way for uplifting SDGs occurring from CE's waste minimization activities, and it is promoting resource efficiency. GCC1 is the top-ranked goal construction firm stimulated to implement CE, waste minimizationminimization gcc2 is the least attractive goal, with the lowest ranked goal, resource efficiency. ...
... • The hierarchical network model, as shown in Fig. 5, elaborates on hierarchy levels, where GCC 3 (upliftment of UN's SDGs) is influencing both GCC 1 (minimise waste generations) and GCC 2 (improving resource efficiency), which means that SDGs stimulate consideration of other circularity and decarbonization goals. Previous studies have shown that circularity practices promote SDGs such as SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities) (Owojori & Okoro, 2022;Velenturf & Jopson, 2019). Therefore, both circularity and SDGs have mutual motivation for decarbonization. ...
The construction and building industry (CBI) is considered one of the major carbon emission contributors to the environment and faces various social and technical challenges in implementing decarbonized and circular economy (DCE) practices. Resource optimization can be achieved using the CBI product circularity and carbon offset mechanisms for greater business sustainability. In past studies, DCE practices have been loosely considered for improving the sustainability performance of emerging economies’ CBI. To fill this gap, this study uniquely focuses on CBI practices on DCE in consideration of socio-technical system (STS) availability because STS plays a vital role in adopting DCE practices. The proposed research framework is based on STS theory to measure the inter-influence of socio-technical challenges in achieving decarbonized and circular CBI. The STS-based framework consists of six dimensions namely: goals of circular construction (GCC), people barriers (PB), cultural barriers (CB), infrastructural barriers (IB), technological barriers (TB), and construction process and procedural barriers (CPB). The main STS dimensions are further divided into 26 sub-dimensions to assess interinfluencing mapping. The proposed framework is analyzed using integrated grey information uncertainty theory with decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL), and interpretive structural modelling (ISM), i.e., grey-DISM. The grey-DISM method measures the driving power and dependence of the interdependencies of the decarbonized circularity barriers of the Indian CBI. Fifteen industry experts participated in the data survey, and their participation consistency was more than 95%. Barriers IB and CPB were found to be the major and minor challenges in implementing DCE in CBI. The findings of this research reported that lack of decarbonized and CE-based infrastructure hinders the adoption of DCE practices. This paper’s results also highlight the construction design dependency on infrastructure and machinery and low DCE practice perceptions for improving circularity in CBI. The entire decision model is divided into three levels of hierarchical mapping, which helps construction practitioners and policymakers develop strategic planning for improving DCE practices in CBI. The paper also presented managerial and policy implications for CBI practitioners and policymakers.
... The differences between the green growth narrative of circular economy (Hickel and Kallis 2020; Wanner 2015), and environmental, social and economic progress towards sustainable development have become increasingly apparent (Alonso-Almeida et al. 2020;Blum et al. 2020;Camilleri 2018;Corona et al. 2019;Desing et al. 2020;Haupt and Hellweg 2019;Johansson and Henriksson 2020;Reike et al. 2018;Schroeder et al. 2019;Velenturf and Jopson 2019;WEF 2020;Whalen and Whalen 2020). In an effort to rescue the impetus of circularity, reconnect this to sustainability, and distinguish modest reform from a circular transformation (Reike et al. 2018), a movement driven by the goal of enabling a circular society is becoming popular (Fan et al. 2019;Jaeger-Erben et al. 2021;Kayikci et al. 2021;Leipold et al. 2021;Melles 2021;Ralph Boch et al. 2020;van der Velden 2021;Velenturf and Jopson 2019;Velenturf and Purnell 2021;Wu et al. 2022). ...
... The differences between the green growth narrative of circular economy (Hickel and Kallis 2020; Wanner 2015), and environmental, social and economic progress towards sustainable development have become increasingly apparent (Alonso-Almeida et al. 2020;Blum et al. 2020;Camilleri 2018;Corona et al. 2019;Desing et al. 2020;Haupt and Hellweg 2019;Johansson and Henriksson 2020;Reike et al. 2018;Schroeder et al. 2019;Velenturf and Jopson 2019;WEF 2020;Whalen and Whalen 2020). In an effort to rescue the impetus of circularity, reconnect this to sustainability, and distinguish modest reform from a circular transformation (Reike et al. 2018), a movement driven by the goal of enabling a circular society is becoming popular (Fan et al. 2019;Jaeger-Erben et al. 2021;Kayikci et al. 2021;Leipold et al. 2021;Melles 2021;Ralph Boch et al. 2020;van der Velden 2021;Velenturf and Jopson 2019;Velenturf and Purnell 2021;Wu et al. 2022). This transformist movement is supported by a holistic circular discourse with closer links to sustainable development considerations (Bauwens et al. 2020;Calisto Friant et al. 2020a, b;De Angelis and Ianulardo 2020;Melles et al. 2022;Twomey and Washington 2016;van den Bergh 2020). ...
Mainstream circular economy emphasises the closing of material loops through designing out waste and pollution as a core way to ensure green growth. Hitherto, accounts of circular design have focussed on the industrial design strategies that can reinforce product life extension and material recycling. However, far more is at stake than technical eco-design strategies for a sustainable circular economy and society transition that puts sufficiency at its core. Hence, some recent accounts of circular design propose a greater role for design in social innovation and policy-making towards a sustainable circular economy and society. However, these technical and more social roles for design, reflecting design in the circular economy and circular society discourses, tend to be separately discussed. In combination, these expert and diffuse approaches to the new landscapes of design point to a broader definition of circular design based on sustainable circular economy principles. In this chapter, we examine sustainable circular economy principles for a circular society and the scope for an expanded design influence on the circular society transition. We also propose definitions for an expanded R-strategy ladder for circular design consistent with sustainable circular society principles.
... This becomes especially relevant when transitioning from existing open production systems based on a linear consumption model to ensure the sustainability of the entire business network. Having explored different patterns of circular models [21][22][23][24][25], we focused on identifying the key elements for designing new business models under a circular economy perspective and within the category of resource recovery scenario [6]. Aiming to contribute to CE literature and, more importantly, to provide managers with a tailored framework that facilitates the transition towards more circular products and services design, this research placed its focus on the design and operationalisation of circular business models. ...
... Despite the growing popularity and momentum of the circular economy (CE) concept, numerous scholars have consistently emphasised a shared research gap, namely, the need for further development of the knowledge and tools required to effectively implement it in practice [6,[41][42][43]. Thus, the second literature evaluation focused on exploring existing frameworks for a CBM practical implementation that better fits with this research's objectives. ...
... As many scholars have highlighted, further empirical studies and business cases are required to indicate a way and guide organisations in fulfilling the transition towards circularity [6,42,53]. In this study, we sought to bridge the gap between theory and practice by illustrating the relevant factors emerging throughout the four phases of the methodological framework (built to overcome weaknesses and missing aspects of previous developments in the field of CBM). ...
Innovation in the circular economy (CE) and the deployment of effective circular business models (CBM) have attracted significant attention in times of growing natural resource scarcity. Despite this widespread interest, significant challenges remain between theoretical innovations and effective CBM implementation in any industrial sector where companies pursue cost-saving opportunities through waste valorisation strategies. Since current methods mislead in terms of the real limitations to designing feasible novel products and services under a circular economy, this study proposes exploring determinants underpinning the organisational resilience of CBMs under a resource efficiency strategy through three case studies. As a result of a co-creation process, the implementation of a CBM framework was built upon empirical data and, thence, a phase-based implementation guide was laid out to assist companies in designing and implementing innovative CBM dealing with the complexity of innovative waste valorisation strategies between the PPI and construction sectors. Relevant findings on managerial and policy recommendations encountered along the demo stage are provided in this paper favouring an effective implementation of CE strategies: the role of technological and non-technological aspects within the CBM, the perspective of the ecosystem and its value proposition, and specific guidelines for the different phases of CBM life cycle.
... Relevant guidelines, policies and standards are fundamental for the successful adoption of the CE (Velenturf and Jopson, 2019;Ofori and Mensah, 2021). Inadequate legislations and policy implementation act as a barrier to the CE (Giorgi et al., 2022;Sharma et al., 2021). ...
Purpose
The application of circular economy (CE) has received wide coverage in the built environment, including public-private partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects, in recent times. However, current studies and practical implementation of CE are largely associated with construction demolition, waste and recycling management. Few studies exist on circular models and success factors of public infrastructures developed within the PPP contracts. Thus, the main objective of this article is to identify the models and key success factors associated with CE implementation in PPP infrastructure projects.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic review of the literature was undertaken in this study using forty-two (42) peer-reviewed journal articles from Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar and PubMed.
Findings
The results show that environmental factors, sustainable economic growth, effective stakeholder management, sufficient funding, utilization of low-carbon materials, effective supply chain and procurement strategies facilitate the implementation of CE in PPP infrastructure projects. Key CE business models are centered around the extension of project life cycle value, circular inputs and recycling and reuse of projects.
Research limitations/implications
Although the study presents relevant findings and gaps for further investigations, it has a limited sample size of 42 papers, which is expected to increase as CE gain more prominence in PPP infrastructure management in future.
Practical implications
The findings are relevant for decision-making by PPP practitioners to attain the social, economic and environmental benefits of transitioning to circular infrastructure management.
Originality/value
This study contributes to articulating the key models and measures toward sustainable CE in public infrastructure development.
... Measures that can influence business-to-business transactions will likely have a greater impact. For example, the government could set higher recycling targets and/or targets for using recyclates for ceramic products used in the UK market, combined with higher tax rates on (products containing higher volumes of) primary resources to make recycled resources relatively cheaper [45]. Additionally, products of higher quality can exhibit longer lifespans and save the original raw resources [11]. ...
Foundation industries are under increasing pressure to transform for sustainable development. Ceramics play a key role within foundation industries as a necessary material for building manufacturing facilities. Therefore, transforming the ceramic industry could support changes across other foundation industries as well, making it one of the most important industries to transform. Given the limited finances, staff time, and other resources to support transformative change, this study aims to identify a set of key intervention points to enable transformative change in the ceramic industry in the United Kingdom. A desk-based study, reviewing written industry, government, and scientific materials available in the public domain, was carried out to identify initial key intervention points for transformative change. The PESTLE approach was used to analyse macro factors in political, environmental, social, technological, legal, and economic domains in order to understand how the context enables or constrains change in the ceramic industry. A SWOT analysis was conducted to further consolidate the findings. Our analysis detected over 50 transformative change drivers and barriers and showed that decarbonisation and energy-saving strategies were the main drivers for transforming the UK ceramic industry. On the other hand, foreign government policy and legislation, trade barriers, skills shortages, and costly alternative energy sources were among the major barriers.
... The 34 papers that identified steps for this first phase distinguished many to be taken before doing the actual financial calculations that a BC is generally associated with (see Figure 4). The BC models differed from 1 step for this phase either looking at clarifying what problem to address (Velenturf and Jopson, 2019;Jonker et al., 2017;Schmidek and Weeks, 2005) or which stakeholders to include (Tabbush, 2018;Seeley and Marklin, 2003), up to 14 steps (Schaltegger et al., 2019). Figure 4 shows the different steps in the papers (see also Appendix 3 for three large tables that show the detailed comparisons of steps in each reviewed paper). ...
Purpose
Business case (BC) analyses are performed in many different business fields, to create a report on the feasibility and competitive advantage of an intervention within an existing organisation to secure commitment from management to invest. However, most BC research papers on decisions regarding internal funding are either based on anecdotal insights, on analyses of standards from practice, or focused on very specific BC calculations for a certain project, investment or field. A clear BC process method is missing.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper aims to describe the results of a systematic literature review of 52 BC papers that report on further conceptualisation of what a BC process should behold.
Findings
Synthesis of the findings has led to a BC definition and composition of a 20 step BC process method. In addition, 29 relevant theories are identified to tackle the main challenges of BC analyses in future studies to make them more effective. This supports further theoretical development of academic BC research and provides a tool for BC processes in practice.
Originality/value
Although there is substantial scientific research on BCs, there was not much theoretical development nor a general stepwise method to perform the most optimal BC analysis.
... Over 70% of the world's cities suffer from resource overuse and environmental degradation (Neus and Wolfgang, 2021). Together, they have demonstrated that the unreasonable LUSP causes overexploitation and waste of resources and that the service value of a regional geospatial system is damaged (Velenturf and Jopson, 2019). Multiple case studies on LUSP development demonstrate that human activities represented by road traffic and urban construction have become the dominant driving factors of land use change in most metropolitan areas (Wu et al., 2021e). ...
High-intensity land use and resource overloaded-induced regional land use spatial pattern (LUSP) are essential and challenging for high-quality development. The empirical studies have shown that a scientific land uses spatial layout, and the supporting system should be based on a historical perspective and require better considering the double influence between the current characteristics and future dynamics. This study proposes a comprehensive framework that integrates the resource environment carrying capacity (RECC) and land use change (LUC) to investigate strategies for optimizing the spatial pattern of land use for high-quality development. China's Zhengzhou city was the subject of a case study whose datasets include remote sensing, spatial monitoring, statistics, and open sources. Three significant results emerged from the analysis: (1) The RECC has significant spatial differentiation but does not follow a specific spatial law, and regions with relatively perfect ecosystems may not necessarily have better RECC. (2) From 2020 to 2030, the construction land and farmland will fluctuate wildly, with the former increasing by 346.21 km 2 and the latter decreasing by 295.98 km 2. (3) The study area is divided into five zones, including resource conservation, ecological carrying, living core, suitable construction, and grain supply zones, and each one has its LUSP optimization orientation. This uneven distribution of RECC reflects functional defects in the development and utilization of LUSP. In addition, the increase in construction land and the sharp decline of farmland pose potential threats to the sustainable development of the study area. Hence, these two elements cannot be ignored in the future high-quality development process. The findings indicate that the LUSP optimization based on dual dimensions of RECC and LUC is more realistic than a single-dimension solution, exhibiting the LUSP optimization's effectiveness and applicability.
... The value proposition of this business model is dependent on creating value from the residual of used resources (Bocken et al., 2016). However, building a profitable business case from this model requires knowledge of the economic, social, environmental, and technical value of resources alongside interdisciplinary collaborations (Velenturf & Jopson, 2019). The resource recovery circular business model includes various strategies that contribute to a form of material or energy recovery that can lead to use in a new system. ...
... Similarly, sustainability, utilization of eco-friendly materials, waste preventive protocol, support and involvement of building construction stakeholders, polluter pays concepts, producer responsibility, life-cycle system thinking, and the implementation of cost-efficiency and cost minimization strategies are some of the important guiding principles to follow when designing a waste system using circular economy initiatives (Nagapan et al., 2012;Velenturf et al., 2019). Furthermore, there should be legislative laws and guidance to enable the application of such sustainable WMSs. ...
The use of eco-friendly materials, waste prevention protocols, the support and participation of building construction stakeholders, polluter pays concepts, producer responsibility, life-cycle system thinking, and the application of cost-efficiency and cost minimization strategies are some of the guiding philosophies that are of extreme value when designing a waste management system via circular economy initiatives. However, it is crucial to measure the waste management strategy used in each building project. In order to measure the life-cycle performance of waste management systems and to assess how sustainable they are, this study offers a statistical methodology using a sustainametric technique to indicate how sustainable waste management system performance in emerging construction industries, particularly in South Africa. This study employs a sustainametric approach to evaluate the life-cycle performance of the waste management system of South Africa, with evidence of its sustainability performance measurement that can help advance the its waste minimization policy and implementation. The result indicates the viability of the measuring model and the findings of each metric utilized. The conclusion confirms that South Africa has not fully adopted and/or implemented a more sustainable waste management system for efficient waste minimization during its construction activities. Moreover, it is the reality that most emerging economies urgently need to expand and improve the waste reduction method employed in its construction building projects.
