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In the face of a rising global population and the associated growing resource consumption and negative environmental impacts, the fundamental need for an alternative to the traditional linear model of growth has led to the emerging debate about circular economy. While the topic of circular economy has been receiving increasing attention in the lite...
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... order to grow, such economic system has provided incentives to increase sales and to simulate economies of scale, which has led to an ever-increasing consumption of goods and services. As illustrated by the conceptual diagram in Figure 2, such economic model is characterized by the 'take, make, waste' pattern and is built on two strong assumptions: boundlessness and easy availability of resources (energy and raw materials) as well as a limitless regenerative capacity of the Earth. Accordingly, as the economy grows, we need more raw materials for the production of goods and we produce more waste. ...
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... of the rich diversity in the retail sector, there is no one-size-fits-all solution or approach for the implementation of circular business model. Therefore, as illustrated by Figure 20, this framework takes the core principles of circularity and applies them to four key action areas for retailers wanting to move towards the circular economy: 1) provide functionality rather than ownership 2) promote collaboration for cost effective reverse loop 3) adopt a stewardship role 4) use and serve the local economy. This four actions framework provides a structure to understand the fundamental aspects of implementing circular economy in retailing. ...
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... such reconditioning system has some key implications for the retail-manufacturer ecosystem and thus represents a strategic decision, as illustrated by Figure 22. On the one hand, retailers need to be trained and equipped for reconditioning processes as well as educated in marketing the leasing arrangements to consumers. ...
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... the retailer's perspective, stewardship activities can be divided into three broad categories which are closely linked, as illustrated in Figure 23 (Danish Environmental Protection Agency (2011, p. 2)): The role of retailers in the circular economy certified wood sourcing and proactively look for replacing more trees than are consumed to offset damage done collectively by industry over the past decades (Kingfisher (2017, p. 35)). ...
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... role of retailers in the circular economy Finally, the importance of local distributed networks is further reinforced by Weetman (2016) in her book on circular supply chain. As illustrated by Figure 24, the asset-light and lower- cost centralized networks (i.e. linear economy) are more exposed to disruption of supply flows, whereas the extra nodes and links in decentralized systems (i.e. ...
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... on the definition explained in section 4.1, the value proposition of KouniToys is summarized in Figure 25 and the four key elements are further detailed afterwards. Accordingly, many times, children will play with a toy for a while (from a few hours to a few days) and then they will lose interest. ...
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... value capture mechanism of KouniToys is a subscription model with three different subscription packages (including delivery charges), as showed in Figure 26. The subscription rate was set based on the willingness of the customer to pay for the service (i.e. based on the results of the online survey) and the number of toys (i.e. ...
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... (subscription rate + sale of toys) for a total cost of 11.3€ (the packaging (2.3€), the shipping (3.6€) and the depreciation of the toys (5.4€)), which leads to contribution margin of 12€/month. As showed by Figure 27, the first month, there is a negative contribution margin (i.e. loss) due to customer acquisition costs and after only 3 months, the company already reaches the break even at the customer level. ...
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... risks of critical resources: Price volatilities of various commodities have steeply increased over the last decade as illustrated by Figure 32. Such high price volatility is mainly explained due to short term scarcity, as supply chains are not able to keep up with increasing demand of a growing population and average consumption (Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2012, pp. ...
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... This economic model exhibits a distinctive "take, make, waste" pattern. It is based on two foundational presumptions: the infinite availability of resources (both energy and raw materials) and the inexhaustible regenerative capaci-ty of the Earth (Wautelet, 2018). As the economy develops, the demand for raw materials increases to meet increased production requirements, consequently resulting in the increased depletion of natural resources and generation of waste. ...
... Nonetheless, the foundational principles of the linear model are no longer applicable within the contemporary global landscape. Several pivotal trends now imperil its sustainability, thus precipitating demand for an alternative economic paradigm (Wautelet, 2018). Since the 2010s, scientists around the world addressed this problem by investigating a novel economic paradigm known as the "circular economy". ...
... The rising scarcity of certain raw materials and the potential for geopolitical conflicts over resource access underscored the need for strategies that ensure resource security through recycling and reusing materials. (Wautelet, 2018). ...
The use of a circular economy, as opposed to linear production, allows for optimal waste utilization, reduces the shortage of resources, reduces the negative impact on the environment, and achieves competitive advantages through innovation. The driving force for this transition is a technological development that enables more efficient and rapid change. The study aims to assess the impact of technology on the transition to a circular economy, which gaining prominence amid challenges posed by population growth, climate change, and environmental degradation. A combination of quantitative and systematic analysis methods was used in the study, namely exploring, categorizing, and analysing case studies, and industry reports and conducting meta-analysis. The research identified key drivers for transitioning to a circular economy, including awareness of resource depletion, environmental concerns, technological advancements, changing consumer values, and government regulations. The study explored various circular economy definitions and categorized the development of its principles into stages from 1966 to 2023. The exploration into the complex role of technology demonstrated its potential to accelerate the adoption of circular economy principles globally. The research extended beyond conventional boundaries, illustrating technology's capacity to amplify the influence of sustainable practices. As industries balanced economic growth with environmental responsibility, the study provided empirical evidence of technology's efficacy in facilitating the transition to circular economies. This study contributed valuable insights into the critical link between technological development and the circular economy transition. Successful case studies and empirical assessments offered a pragmatic foundation for policymaking, corporate strategies, and ongoing research. The study holds theoretical significance in advancing the understanding of circular economy dynamics. At the same time, it practically informs policy formulation and corporate strategies conducive to sustainable economic transformation
... Linear economy scheme[12] ...
The article reviews the current state of the art in the field of zinc recycling. The results of model studies of the profitability (profitability) of the process of zinc recovery in precipitation in the form of dusts and sludges are presented. The cost of purchasing waste and the necessary energy and material expenditures were taken into account. It has been shown that access to a cheap source of waste is essential for the profitability of the zinc recovery process.
... This is an economic model that aims to design out waste and pollution, keeping materials in use for as long as possible (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2022). It is an alternative to the traditional linear economy, which follows the 'take-make-dispose' approach (Wautelet, 2018). The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, a leading advocate for the circular economy, defines it as "an economy that is restorative and regenerative by design, aiming to keep products, components, and materials at their highest utility and value at all times, distinguishing between technical and biological cycles" (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2022). ...
The food industry is a major contributor to the generation of waste and the depletion of natural resources. In order to address these challenges, the circular economy approach offers a promising framework for sustainable waste management in the food industry. This article reviews circular economy strategies, including waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and resource recovery, and explores their potential for reducing environmental impacts and increasing economic benefits in the food industry. The article also discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing circular economy strategies in the food industry, including regulatory barriers, consumer behaviour, and market demand. Finally, the article presents case studies of circular economy initiatives in the food industry, highlighting best practices and lessons learned. Circular economy strategies offer a comprehensive and integrated approach to sustainable waste management in the food industry, and that their successful implementation requires collaboration and innovation across the food value chain.
... Fashion industries have long used, and some of them still use, a linear production model. Wautelet (2018) [40] sees the linear production model as one characterized by thinking that resources and the earth's regenerative capacity are infinite, so it is possible to take infinite resources from the environment, create new products and waste them or, in other words, not care about what remains or is emitted into the atmosphere during the production and consumption processes. The principle of linear production develops in three stages: resources, production, and pollution. ...
... Fashion industries have long used, and some of them still use, a linear production model. Wautelet (2018) [40] sees the linear production model as one characterized by thinking that resources and the earth's regenerative capacity are infinite, so it is possible to take infinite resources from the environment, create new products and waste them or, in other words, not care about what remains or is emitted into the atmosphere during the production and consumption processes. The principle of linear production develops in three stages: resources, production, and pollution. ...
The textile and fashion industry is the second industry (after aviation) that pollutes the planet the most, and it uses natural and human resources excessively and irresponsibly. Fast fashion harms the environment. Fast fashion stands for low quality, low prices, constantly updated supplies, and high consumption of natural resources and chemicals. Nowadays, however, the evolution in the fashion industry from fast and unsustainable models to sustainability and a circular economy is firmly established. Fashion industry representatives are paying more and more attention to corporate social responsibility, business ethics, the implementation of circular economy principles, and the technological transition from linear production to a circular economy. The aim of this article is to evaluate the attitude of young Lithuanian designers towards the implementation of circular economy principles in the fashion industry. A problematic question is raised: how do young Lithuanian designers perceive sustainable fashion in the context of a circular economy? A qualitative semi-structured interview was used to collect data for the empirical study. The analysis has shown that the transition of the textile and fashion industry to a circular economy is a rather complex process that requires knowledge, significant financial investment in technological change, and greater consumer purchasing power in the production of products based on a circular economy. Moreover, new brands in the fashion industry do not always have enough information to start a business in the fashion industry based on a circular economy. A qualitative study conducted in Lithuania using the interview method showed that young Lithuanian fashion designers are very positive about sustainability solutions in the fashion industry and try to link their developing fashion brand with sustainability, but this is done fragmentarily rather than consistently. Young fashion designers state that they lack the in-depth knowledge and money to develop a brand in a circular economy. In conclusion, young Lithuanian fashion designers strive to create a sustainable fashion brand and link their development activities to a circular economy in a fragmentary way. Even after the research has been conducted, the question of how to get fast fashion manufacturers to produce sustainable fashion in Lithuania remains open.
... The "take-make-dispose" model, represented in Figure 2, is based on the assumptions of high availability of materials and the regenerative capacity of the earth. Although LE has shown great success over the last century, it has raised many concerns as well; this model uses resources in unsustainable ways, producing large amounts of waste and harming the environment [11]. Within LE, population growth requires more and more resources to keep up with the demand generated by this growth. ...
... Within LE, population growth requires more and more resources to keep up with the demand generated by this growth. In addition to environmental impacts, there is concern about non-renewable resources, including many metals, minerals, and fossil fuels, becoming scarce [11]. Furthermore, the price of these resources is rising and becoming unpredictable, leading to an increase in costs along the value chain and to higher prices for end consumers. ...
... Linear Economy "take-make-dispose" model (adapted from[11]). ...
With the continuous growth in the use of home appliances and electronics, waste produced with obsolete material (e-waste) has an increasing environmental impact. Furthermore, the production of such devices leads to increased consumption of natural resources and produces a multitude of toxic and hazardous substances, which are normally not treated properly. One of the approaches that may be adopted to reduce such problems relies on the circularization of the current linear model, commonly adopted in the Electric and Electronic Equipment (EEE) value chain. This includes recovering End-of-Life products and reintroducing their parts, components, or raw materials into the value chain (e.g., semiconductors, circuit boards, raw metals, etc.), contributing to a more sustainable value chain. In this article, we present a state-of-the-art review that focuses on approaches and solutions for EEE value chain traceability and analyze the technologies that may be beneficial for promoting and implementing the Circular Economy model in this value chain.
... Since the third industrial revolution, linear thinking has led to prosperity and economic growth in many parts of the world. Consequently, manufacturers have been oriented towards a business model that is based on a large use of materials and minimizes 4 of 22 Figure 2. Linear Economy -"Take-make-dispose" model (adapted from [10]). human labor costs. ...
... Although LE has been a great success in the last century, it has raised many concerns, as this model uses resources unsustainably, producing a large amount of waste that is harmful to the environment [10]. Within LE, population growth will require more and more resources to keep up with the demand generated by this growth. ...
... Within LE, population growth will require more and more resources to keep up with the demand generated by this growth. In addition to environmental impacts, there is a concern about non-renewable resources, as they are becoming scarce (including many metals, minerals, and fossil fuels) [10]. Furthermore, the price of these resources is rising and becoming unpredictable, leading to an increase in costs along the value chain and a higher price for the end consumer. ...
With the continuous growth of electric and electronic appliances’ usage, the waste produced with obsolete material (e-waste) has an increasing environmental impact. Also, the production of such appliances bears to increased consumption of natural resources and produces a multitude of toxic and hazardous substances, which typically are not properly treated. One of the approaches that may be adopted to reduce such problems relies on the circularization of the current linear model, commonly adopted in the EEE value chain. This includes recovering eol products and reintroducing its parts, components, or raw materials into the value chain (e.g. semiconductors, circuit boards, raw metals, etc.), thus contributing to a more sustainable value chain. In this article, we present a state-of-art review that focuses on approaches and solutions for the EEE value chain traceability, and analyses the technologies that may be beneficial for promoting and implementing the CE model in this value chain.
... But the rejection of the model came when it was found that energy and raw materials are finite. At the same time, society was technologically evolving and required more raw materials and energy to produce new products and services [1]. This problem is confronted by circular economy, which represents a change in the way human society uses natural resources and energy. ...
In general, for the last 150 years, linear economy dominates the society. A model in which products are made from raw materials recovered from the environment, used, repaired, and finally disposed of in landfills. The environmental impact of the linear economy gave rise to the concept of the circular economy. This paper aims to provide a literature overview that presents ways that lighting products can participate in the circular economy, and define the role and effect that specific strategies have on the design, production, use and end-of-life of lighting products. In this new model of circular economy, lighting products participate with specific strategies that help reduce the waste that eventually leads to the environment and also to conserve natural resources. These strategies are R9=Recover, R8=Recycle, R7=Repurpose, R6=Remanufacture, R5=Refurbish, R4=Repair, R3=Reuse, R2=Reduce, R1=Rethink and R0=Refuse. In recent years, many manufacturing companies that design and manufacture lighting products in the initial design of their products now use circular economy strategies. Also, independent scholars, agree on the necessity of using circular economy, since its benefits can reduce the environmental impacts, energy, and emissions and finally to reduce or even eliminate the waste that eventually leads to the environment
... The traditional polymer circular economy (CE) continues to be challenging due to its reprocessing/recycle ability; also, at the same time, newly developed substitute materials have not expressed similar performance to conventional materials involved in contemporary applications. Hence, linear approaches such as "take-make-use-waste" have severely affected sustainability modules where non-renewable resources have been used at maximum levels [73]. In addition, sustainability is termed along with the circular economy paradigm in recent times, although material sustainability differs from CE material. ...
The aim to achieve sustainable development goals (SDG) and cut CO2-emission is forcing researchers to develop bio-based materials over conventional polymers. Since most of the established bio-based polymeric materials demonstrate prominent sustainability, however, performance, cost, and durability limit their utilization in real-time applications. Additionally, a sustainable circular bioeconomy (CE) ensures SDGs deliver material production, where it ceases the linear approach from production to waste. Simultaneously, sustainable circular bio-economy promoted materials should exhibit the prominent properties to involve and substitute conventional materials. These interceptions can be resolved through state-of-the-art bio-vitrimeric materials that display durability/mechanical properties such as thermosets and processability/malleability such as thermoplastics. This article emphasizes the current need for vitrimers based on bio-derived chemicals; as well as to summarize the developed bio-based vitrimers (including reprocessing, recycling and self-healing properties) and their requirements for a sustainable circular economy in future prospects.
... The three phases of the linear economy [13] It can be seen from Fig. 1 that the linear economy consists of three phases. Each phase has one or more separate actions. ...
Ports are very important international hubs within transport networks where various industrial and logistical activities are performed. However, by use of the closed-loop mechanism the circular economy would reduce the need for imported primary raw materials because it would treat waste as a secondary raw material. This would greatly affect the way in which ports operate because primary raw materials make up most of their cargo volume. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate the possibilities of integrating ports into the circular economy. This paper aims to use the descriptive research method to assess ports on their role in the circular economy, and based on the SWOT analysis has highlighted the key elements of circular analysis of waste streams to objectively evaluate the closed-loop mechanism. The conclusion is that due to the decline in primary raw material volumes within the circular economy, ports would therefore become centers of innovation in order to attract as many new industries as possible within their sector. The circular business model of ports would also require renewed cooperation from key actors within the port sector, the most important being the port authority, industrial clusters and academic institutions.
... The root of these sustainability issues lies in the linear economic model established after the industrial revolution as the most efficient way to conduct business. The linear economic model relies on two fundamental principles: easily accessible resources and unlimited earth regenerative capacity (Wautelet, 2018). The economy thrives by consuming ever more planetary resources to manufacture products. ...
Sustainability is high on the agendas of public and private organizations. Governments are setting targets for reducing the use of virgin raw materials in products and to eliminate waste. To accelerate the transition towards a Circular Economy (CE) policy makers are launching instruments. However, policy instruments such as financial incentives or new regulatory guidelines are prone to manipulations when the stakes for the involved stakeholders are high. Therefore, policy makers and government authorities need a solid system to monitor and control the implementation and effectiveness of their CE measures. To this end, digital technologies are key to enable visibility and monitoring of materials flows. They allow governments and other stakeholders to use data to steer the transition towards a CE. However, data from different materials supply chains reside in a diversity of digital platforms used by a diversity of stakeholders involved. Blockchain-based platforms can support the required visibility by combining data from different stakeholders across different materials supply chains. But connecting all data for CE visibility throughout the entire materials flow into one singular platform is unlikely. With the growing number of blockchain-based platforms that each covers parts of data on CE flows, there is a need to assess the level of visibility they offer and to determine which data is lacking to monitor full CE flows. In this article, the development of a framework to evaluate blockchain-enabled information systems on their ability to act as monitoring systems for CE purposes is presented. The design science research approach was followed to develop the framework. Insights provided by academic literature as well as empirical data from three extant blockchain-enabled platforms were used (i.e., TradeLens, FoodTrust, and Vinturas). The evaluation framework can be deployed by public and private actors (e.g., governments and banks) for monitoring purposes, but also by IT providers to offer CE visibility solutions.
