Blockchain for the Circular Economy: Analysis of the Research-Practice Gap

Böckel, Alexa; Nuzum, Anne‐Katrin; Weissbrod, Ilka

doi:10.1016/j.spc.2020.12.006

Cited by 140 publications

(124 citation statements)

References 76 publications

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“…The empower gives an accurate and verifiable real-time estimate of the volume of plastic waste collected from the cities. Empower aims to use the Zafeplace blockchain platform to trace and track the end-of-life of the plastics [68], [95]- [97].…”

Section: Recyclego and Empowermentioning

confidence: 99%

Blockchain for Waste Management in Smart Cities: A Survey

Ahmad

Jayaraman

Yaqoob³

et al. 2021

IEEE Access

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Smart cities have the potential to overcome environmental problems caused by improper waste disposal by improving human health, protecting the aquatic ecosystem, and reducing air pollution. However, today's systems, approaches, and technologies leveraged for waste management are manual and centralized. This fact makes them vulnerable to manipulation and the single point of failure problem. Also, a large portion of the existing waste management systems within smart cities fall short in providing operational transparency, traceability, audit, security, and trusted data provenance features. In this paper, we explore the key role of blockchain technology in managing waste within smart cities as it can offer traceability, immutability, transparency, and audit features in a decentralized, trusted, and secure manner. We discuss the opportunities brought about by blockchain technology in various waste management use cases and application scenarios, including real-time tracing and tracking of waste, reliable channelization and compliance with waste treatment laws, efficient waste resources management, protection of waste management documentation, and fleet management. We introduce a framework that leverages blockchainbased smart contracts to automate the key services in terms of waste management of smart cities. We compare the existing blockchain-based waste management solutions based on important parameters. Furthermore, we present insightful discussions on several ongoing blockchain-based research projects and case studies to highlight the practicability of blockchain in waste management. Finally, we present open challenges that act as future research directions.

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Section: Recyclego and Empowermentioning

confidence: 99%

Blockchain for Waste Management in Smart Cities: A Survey

Ahmad

Jayaraman

Yaqoob³

et al. 2021

IEEE Access

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“…Conventionally, linear economy model is prevalent in the world that involves activities such as take, make, and dispose (Shojaei et al, 2021). Although, this traditional system has delivered significant growth in both country level economic outcomes and human wellbeing, instantaneously, it has also resulted in considerable environmental adversities (Bockel et al, 2021). Hence, these economic achievements while causing environmental adversities has led to the need for alternative economic system, such as circular economy (CE) that may help in improving world's environmental conditions (Geissdoerfer et al, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital technology and circular economy practices: An strategy to improve organizational performance

et al. 2021

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Amid rising environmental concerns, advanced technology, including Blockchain technology (BCT) are transforming circular economy (CE) practices and prevailing business models. Recognize the same, the current study examines the role of BCT in CE practices; and their impact on organizational performance. The study collects data from 239 enterprises that are located in Malaysian territories. By employing PLS‐SEM modeling framework, the study provides two key findings. First, BCT significantly improves the CE practices (circular procurement, circular design, recycling, and remanufacturing). Second, CE practices help to increase organizational performance. This study set‐out the foundations for participating countries/firms, that help to simultaneously achieve financial and sustainable goals through the integration of BCT in their business for betterment.

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“…From a CE perspective, BCT is considered to be an enabling technology, particularly for the management of complex information networks in supply chain management [155,156]. In a sector that is characterized by low productivity and a fragmented supply chain [38], BCT might offer opportunities to leverage efficiency and transparency to maintain the value of resources along their lifecycle.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to the literature and practice review of Böckel et al [155], the most frequently mentioned use case of BCT in CE is enabling material passports, because the technology offers the transparency and reliability of data flows across the supply chain network [159], from extraction until end-of-use phase, and further in subsequent use cycles. For example, Tata Steel [160], one of the largest steel-producing companies globally, has piloted a material passport system wherein each of the steel components was given a unique identification and registered on a blockchain, allowing the project stakeholders to follow the life cycle data of the steel products [161].…”

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confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Circular Digital Built Environment: An Emerging Framework

2021

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Digital technologies are considered to be an essential enabler of the circular economy in various industries. However, to date, very few studies have investigated which digital technologies could enable the circular economy in the built environment. This study specifically focuses on the built environment as one of the largest, most energy- and material-intensive industries globally, and investigates the following question: which digital technologies potentially enable a circular economy in the built environment, and in what ways? The research uses an iterative stepwise method: (1) framework development based on regenerating, narrowing, slowing and closing resource loop principles; (2) expert workshops to understand the usage of digital technologies in a circular built environment; (3) a literature and practice review to further populate the emerging framework with relevant digital technologies; and (4) the final mapping of digital technologies onto the framework. This study develops a novel Circular Digital Built Environment framework. It identifies and maps ten enabling digital technologies to facilitate a circular economy in the built environment. These include: (1) additive/robotic manufacturing, (2) artificial intelligence, (3) big data and analytics, (4) blockchain technology, (5) building information modelling, (6) digital platforms/marketplaces, (7) digital twins, (8) the geographical information system, (9) material passports/databanks, and (10) the internet of things. The framework provides a fruitful starting point for the novel research avenue at the intersection of circular economy, digital technology and the built environment, and gives practitioners inspiration for sustainable innovation in the sector.

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Blockchain for the Circular Economy: Analysis of the Research-Practice Gap

Cited by 140 publications

References 76 publications

Blockchain for Waste Management in Smart Cities: A Survey

Blockchain for Waste Management in Smart Cities: A Survey

Digital technology and circular economy practices: An strategy to improve organizational performance

Circular Digital Built Environment: An Emerging Framework

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