Industrial ecology: an overview

Gallopoulos, Nicholas E.

doi:10.1504/pie.2006.010038

Cited by 14 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Similar to the concept of industrial symbiosis, participation in circular metabolisms implies having to deal with a variety of interdependencies between organizations (Korhonen, 2001(Korhonen, , 2004Gallopoulos, 2006;Wassenaar, 2015). These pose the conditions for the emergence of novel organizational forms between firms, in which, similarly to any other inter-firm networking, collaboration is explored in order to take full advantage of a circular metabolism, whilst limiting its costs (Grandori, 2012).…”

Section: Institutional Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Institutional incentives in circular economy transition: The case of material use in the Dutch textile industry

Fischer

Pascucci

2017

Journal of Cleaner Production

296

150

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a b s t r a c tThe aim of this paper is to gain insight into how requirements for transitioning to circular economy creates new organizational forms in inter-firm collaborations, and ultimately how they stimulate the emergence of new institutions enhancing sustainability. Two strands of literature, one on circular economy and one on institutional analysis, provide the theoretical background for this research. Currently a clearly formulated and unified theory on the institutions of circular economy is lacking. Therefore this research compares and contrasts empirical evidence from cases derived from the textile industry in The Netherlands, and concepts derived from institutional analysis and literature on circular economy to inductively build a cohesive conceptual framework. Using information from cases we identified two pathways to transition into circular economy and to manage circular material flows. We define these pathways Status Quo arrangements (SQ), when firms focus on optimizing up-cycling technologies and infrastructure in their circular relations and collaborations, and Product as Service arrangements (PAS), to indicate a focus on providing products in service contracts. Chain coordination, contracting, and financial mechanisms were identified as key organizational elements for creating new pathways to transition into circular materials flows. However in analyzing these elements we also highlight differences between SQ and PAS arrangements. SQ arrangements may have implications at the level of formal rules, for example by creating a new industry standards for up-cycled fabrics. PAS arrangements may have wider implications, for example by reshaping ownership in service contracts and creating cascading activities. Moving ownership to the supply chain will result in increased responsibility for materials and will create an incentive for improving quality of products, including their environmental performance. This is expected to generate positive socio-environmental impacts at a system level as well. Moreover PAS arrangements may have bottom up effects at a formal institutional level, resulting in alteration and creation of formal rules, for example in terms of new approaches to the ownership of materials.

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Section: Institutional Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Institutional incentives in circular economy transition: The case of material use in the Dutch textile industry

Fischer

Pascucci

2017

Journal of Cleaner Production

296

150

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Industrial ecology is the ecology of human industry and should be studied as such. It should not be trivialized and left open to detrimental criticisms that, as Gallopoulos (2006) suggests, can follow concepts that are seemingly underpinned on philosophical ideals.…”

Section: The Need For Reinterpretationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reinterpreting Industrial Ecology

Jensen

Basson²,

Leach³

2011

Journal of Industrial Ecology

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SummaryThis article argues that industrial ecology has, to date, largely engaged with the ecological sciences at a superficial level, which has both attracted criticism of the field and limited its practical application for sustainable industrial development. On the basis of an analysis of the principle of succession, the role of waste, and the concept of diversity, the article highlights some of the key misconceptions that have resulted from the superficial engagement with the science of ecology. It is argued that industrial ecology should not be seen as a metaphor for industrial development; industrial ecology is the ecology of industry and should be studied as such. There are manifold general principles of ecology that underpin our understanding of the world; however, the physical manifestation and causal effects of these principles are particular to the system and its constituent elements under analysis. It is thus proposed that context-specific observation and analysis of industry are required before theoretical and practical advancement of the field can be achieved.

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“…Industrial ecology has been defined in multiple ways, including Graedel and Allenby's () succinct and oft‐cited idea that it is the “science of sustainability.” In 2006, Gallopoulos wrote that industrial ecology is a “young discipline that considers industrial and commercial enterprises as an ecosystem analogous to biological ecosystems. Its organising principle is that industrial systems should emulate the best features of biological ecosystems, thereby reducing energy and material consumption and waste generation” (Gallopoulos , 10). In its guide for authors, this journal states that, “Industrial ecology is a rapidly growing field that systematically examines local, regional, and global materials, and energy flows in products, processes, industrial sectors, and economies.…”

Section: Industrial Ecology Educationmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Failure Reveals Success

Cockerill

2013

J of Industrial Ecology

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SummaryAlthough environmental education and education for sustainable development have become well-established areas of scholarship and practice, there has not been a similar development focused on "industrial ecology education." A review of the historical context and guiding philosophies for each of these areas finds many similarities, as well as key differences. Environmental education traces its modern roots to the idealism of the 1960s and 1970s. It has focused mostly on improving environmental conditions. Education for sustainable development arose along with international concerns about social justice. It has emphasized general education as well as education about sustainability as necessary to ensure human prosperity. Industrial ecology, in its contemporary form, evolved as an applied approach to address environmental concerns and to meet sustainability goals. It has developed into a diverse, multifaceted approach to address the complexity inherent in industrial society. Education focused on industrial ecology remains decentralized, with core principles and tools being integrated into existing disciplinary programs as well as development of industrialecology-specific curricula. These efforts have not coalesced into a formalized, industrial ecology education. Rather than reflecting a shortcoming, this potentially offers a more robust method for applying industrial ecology principles and tools widely. Keywords:curricula industrial ecology interdisciplinarity pedagogy sociology of knowledge sustainability

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Industrial ecology: an overview

Cited by 14 publications

References 6 publications

Institutional incentives in circular economy transition: The case of material use in the Dutch textile industry

Institutional incentives in circular economy transition: The case of material use in the Dutch textile industry

Reinterpreting Industrial Ecology

A Failure Reveals Success

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