Three Propositions to Unify Circular Economy Research: A Review

Borrello, Massimiliano; Pascucci, Stefano; Cembalo, Luigi

doi:10.3390/su12104069

Cited by 85 publications

(87 citation statements)

References 93 publications

(156 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Additionally, Homrich et al [11] point out the lack of more research approaches, applying a triple bottom line perspective, since the focus, until now, remains on economic-environment perspectives, while concern with social aspects are still missing. Other authors, such as [12], criticize CE for not explicitly targeting sustainable development goals, especially regarding the social dimension. Incorporating sustainable development goals (SDGs) into the CE agenda is promising and should not be underestimated.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Addressing the Social Aspects of a Circular Economy: A Systematic Literature Review

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Circular Economy (CE) is a growing topic among scholars, industries, and governments, and is aimed at decoupling economic growth and development from the consumption of finite resources. CE incorporates different meanings, from reduce, reuse, and recycle activities, to environmental degradation or resource scarcity, and is supported by specific indicators to attain sustainable development. However, so far, there has been no agreement to measure how effective an industry/product is in making the transition from linear to circular approaches, particularly those that affect society. This research work aims to perform a systematic literature review (n = 60) to analyze and discuss how social aspects have been considered and integrated in CE research so far. Moreover, this review provides an overview of the literature on social impact within the CE, which results in three main outputs: a knowledge map of the CE, an analysis of social aspects within CE, and the theories/frameworks used to evaluate social impact of CE. Finally, this study brings to light how CE implementation can affect society and highlights the importance of social dimension in the domains of CE and a policy-making community, which could help move CE towards a sustainable development.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Addressing the Social Aspects of a Circular Economy: A Systematic Literature Review

2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The alternative (or, potentially, complementary) vision of a CE has been put forward, and endorsed by organisations and businesses around the world, especially in the European Union (EU) [ 15 ] and China [ 16 ]. The sheer number of available definitions of CE is frequently commented on [ 17 ], and it may be too late for a unifying definition to emerge, as the concept has emerged through cross-breeding of related schools of thought over recent decades (many highlighted by Borrello et al [ 18 ]) and undergone mutations to adapt to selection pressures imposed by different stakeholders, understanding the issue from different perspectives (e.g. macro, meso and micro scales [ 19 ]).…”

Section: Policy Responsementioning

confidence: 99%

A Circular Economy: Where Will It Take Us?

Hart

Pomponi

2021

Circ.Econ.Sust.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The avalanche of environmental challenges, from local to global and back, has prompted responses at all levels from personal to inter-governmental. The results of these responses have fallen in the range between useful and counterproductive, with many examples on each side, but the scale of the overall challenge continues to escalate. Moving towards a zero-carbon global economy through absolute reductions in fossil fuel usage is a sure way of mitigating climate change, and a range of environmental, social and economic benefits would follow. The case for a Circular Economy (CE), however, is less clear. Whilst some CE initiatives may lead to the decoupling of economic growth from resource extraction, this does not necessarily equate to reducing the rate of extraction. Thus, the contribution of CE to the achievement of environmental objectives globally cannot be taken for granted. In terms of social impact, the best that can be said is that CE might be neutral. Technologies that promote the ‘sharing economy’ for instance, often suggested as a crucial CE strategy, create opportunities for individual wealth accumulation, but are also a route to the gig economy and the casualisation of labour. CE is arguably a business imperative, but definitive evidence to support the idea of a circular economy that meets social and environmental goals needs development.

show abstract

“…Today, the consequences caused by human activities exceed the resilience of ecosystems around the world [19]. Therefore, in recent years, a greater awareness is emerging in making efforts to implement a transition into a circular economy system [19].…”

Section: Circular Economy Concept Overviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

From Waste to Product: Circular Economy Applications from Sea Urchin

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The classic linear economy model based on extraction, processing, production and waste no longer seems to be functional in a world where natural resources are starting to run out. For these reasons, the aim of this study is to analyse the transition from a linear system to the circular economy, providing an example of reuse of sea urchin waste for the creation of new eco-sustainable products. From a comprehensive literature review, it is provided a framework of all the properties deriving from marine collagen and other inedible parts of the sea urchin. Thanks to its characteristics, marine collagen is a valid support for production of biomedical devices, dermal implants, cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. To make their core business effective, companies should not consider only the financial perspectives but also the social and environmental aspects. Therefore, this work aims at analysing these three frameworks using the Triple-Layered Business Model Canvas, which is a useful tool to support the creative exploration of sustainable and innovative business models. The reuse of sea urchin waste is a clear example of how a circular economy model can be adopted for companies to be successful. Through this virtuous model, they can be projected towards a green economy based on a more eco-sustainable vision.

show abstract

Three Propositions to Unify Circular Economy Research: A Review

Cited by 85 publications

References 93 publications

Addressing the Social Aspects of a Circular Economy: A Systematic Literature Review

Addressing the Social Aspects of a Circular Economy: A Systematic Literature Review

A Circular Economy: Where Will It Take Us?

From Waste to Product: Circular Economy Applications from Sea Urchin

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About