Comparative analysis of micro level indicators for evaluating the progress towards a circular economy

Matos, Joana; Martins, Carla; Simões, Carla L.; Simões, Ricardo

doi:10.1016/j.spc.2023.06.002

Cited by 14 publications

(10 citation statements)

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“…The CE has in addition been proposed by different fields as an alternative to linear models based on extraction, production, use, and disposal, forecasting an adaptation of the current models to an economy of zero emissions and waste (Schaltegger et al, 2023;Llena-Macarulla et al, 2023;Ahmad et al, 2023). This includes both new business models based on the rental or leasing of services (Scarpellini, 2022), as well as the closing of material loops in different activities and sectors in the CE framework, and improving the efficiency of products in both the manufacturing and use phases (Benito-Bentué et al, 2022;Marco-Fondevila et al, 2021;Matos et al, 2023). This model of closing material loops is being introduced both at a macroeconomic level and in companies and organizations that are increasingly adopting CE principles in the production and provision of services (Aranda-Usón et al, 2020), and it is equally applicable to SE enterprises (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, OECD, 2022).…”

Section: Resourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The CE primarily pursues the creation and retention of environmental and economic values, and there is a clear complementarity between the CE and SE models. SE and circular models can in particular reinforce the positive social impact of circular activities and accelerate the transition to a CE that requires creative and innovative capacity, particularly at a local level, in order to close material loops in the CE through integrated business models focused on proximity to the place of use of the product or service (Villalba-Eguiluz et al, 2020;Ahmad et al, 2023;Matos et al, 2023;Skare et al, 2024). The possibility of merging approaches based on SE, social innovation, and social entrepreneurship with the ecological potential of CE for the social good has therefore been explored (Soufani et al, 2018).…”

Section: Resourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…SE enterprises play an important role in the transition process from a linear to a circular economy because their activities in terms of sustainability entail greater value for society and other interest groups (Stratan, 2017). It is therefore necessary for CE to be included in the strategic policies of these enterprises and for their managers to be familiar with and motivated by the necessary actions to improve the level to which material loops are closed (Matos et al, 2023). The CE concept has therefore emerged as an important way for individuals, enterprises, and society to be more sustainable (Brown and Bajada, 2018;Cui and Zhang, 2018;Scarpellini, 2022).…”

Section: Resourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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How does the circular economy achieve social change? Assessment in terms of sustainable development goals

Gallardo-Vázquez,

Scarpellini,

Aranda-Usón

et al. 2024

Humanit Soc Sci Commun

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Achieving sustainable development is today a basic premise for all companies and governments. The 2030 Agenda has outlined an action plan focused on all areas and interest groups. Achieving economic growth and technological progress, social development, peace, justice, environmental protection, inclusion and prosperity represent the main areas to achieve social change. Furthermore, the circular economy is capable of improving the efficiency of products and resources, and can contribute to this social change, but there is a gap in the literature regarding whether the orientation of the companies in their circular economy strategy can lead to the achievement of the sustainable development goals. The objective of this study is to develop an initial circular economy-sustainable development goals (CE-SDGs) framework that considers the circular economy as the precedent and sustainable development goals as a consequence of implementing a circular economy. With respect to the methodology, the literature linking the relationship between the circular economy and sustainable development goals was reviewed first. A Structural Equation Model with the Partial Least Squares technique was also employed, analyzing two complementary models in enterprises involved in the Social Economy in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura (Spain). Regarding the results obtained, a link has been observed between professional profiles and training in people-oriented activities. The same does not occur for activities oriented toward the planet. Moreover, the existence of corporate reports that obtain data on circular activities is crucial to achieving orientation toward the sustainable development goals, for activities oriented toward both people and the planet. Finally, the results confirm that the existence of barriers and incentives determines the observed results, being aware that the lack of specialized training in human resources always has a significant incidence. Using resource and capability and dynamic capabilities theories, this study contributes with an initial framework by joining two lines of research and analyzing the CE-SDGs link in SE enterprises. Future research and empirical validations could contribute more deeply to the literature. As key recommendations, social economy managers must be committed to introducing circular economy practices to achieve people- and planet-oriented objectives, being proactive in fostering CE-SDGs frameworks.

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Section: Resourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resourcesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

How does the circular economy achieve social change? Assessment in terms of sustainable development goals

Gallardo-Vázquez,

Scarpellini,

Aranda-Usón

et al. 2024

Humanit Soc Sci Commun

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…In this study, the MCI measures the circularity of the oil palm industry as it focuses on the lifetime extension, recycling, and waste management perspectives (Matos et al, 2023). Rocchi et al (2021) commented that compared to other indicators, the MCI is one of the few that includes retention in its metric, as it considers how much an element is used in the process in terms of intensity and duration.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Material Circularity Indicator for Thai Oil Palm Industry

POOLSAWAD

2024

JOPR

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The oil palm industry is vital in food and energy production and significantly contributes to the Thai economy.Nevertheless, the sector faces environmental management challenges, especially waste management. With an awareness of the importance of a circular economy, this study aims to utilise the material circularity indicator (MCI) to measure the material circularity in multiple products of the Thai oil palm industry and plan for sustainable improvement. The circularity measurement result shows that palm oil production is more circular than linear, with a calculated MCI of 0.5372. This shows the importance of recycling, reusing, and composting of co-products, residual oil, and wastes of oil palms to achieve the sustainable development of Thai agriculture. The results also show that the MCI value may be enhanced by increasing the biomass's oil extraction rate (OER) and calorific value. By improving the OER from 18% to 23%, the MCI value rises to 0.6230, explaining a better circularity of the oil palm industry. The oil palm industry, the government, and related authorities may use the study results to plan for the palm oil process improvement to enhance the circularity in the long term. The study has a limitation: The data used in the analysis are from a limited number of palm oil factories. An increasing number of participating factories may enhance the study results.

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“…This literature review has underscored a scarcity of studies in the CE field that have compared circularity indicators with environmental implications or those establishing connections across different system levels. At the micro-level, LCA has a long history of environmental assessment across a wide range of products, but further research is needed to compare linear products with their circular counterparts to fully understand the environmental impact of such approaches Matos et al (2023). conducted a comparative analysis of micro-level indicators for evaluating progress towards the CE.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring Circularity in Life Cycle Management: A Literature Review

Basile,

Petacca,

Vona

2024

Glob J Flex Syst Manag

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Circularity has emerged as a pivotal concept in the realm of sustainable resource management and business operations. Resource exhaustion and environmental degradation propelled by globalization and the culture of consumerism have intensified the focus on the concept of the circular economy around the world. Nevertheless, the evaluation and quantification of circularity achievements remain uncommon in corporate practices. This article employs a systematic literature review to delve into circularity measurements in the managerial life cycle. Key approaches emerging from the academic literature are examined, including life cycle costing, life cycle assessment, life cycle cost–benefit, life cycle benefit analysis, and life cycle sustainability assessment. The review seeks to offer a comprehensive overview of the methodologies employed to assess circularity in corporate processes, highlighting current challenges and opportunities for effective implementation. We adopt a conceptual model of sustainable and circular life cycle management based on specific performance indicators that allow the environmental, social, and economic impact of processes to be assessed throughout the life cycle of products or services. The implementation of Sustainable and Circular Life Cycle Management from a managerial perspective could support firms to eradicate and quantify waste, preserve the inherent value of products and materials, encourage the adoption of renewable energies, and eliminate harmful chemicals.

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Comparative analysis of micro level indicators for evaluating the progress towards a circular economy

Cited by 14 publications

References 50 publications

How does the circular economy achieve social change? Assessment in terms of sustainable development goals

How does the circular economy achieve social change? Assessment in terms of sustainable development goals

Material Circularity Indicator for Thai Oil Palm Industry

Measuring Circularity in Life Cycle Management: A Literature Review

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