scholarly journals Circular Economy Applied to Organic Residues and Wastewater: Research Challenges

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bénédicte Bakan ◽  
Nicolas Bernet ◽  
Théodore Bouchez ◽  
Rachel Boutrou ◽  
Jean-Marc Choubert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Research Society ◽  
Urban Systems ◽  
Organic Residues ◽  
Process Systems ◽  
Multi Scale ◽  
Research Challenges ◽  
Technical Innovations ◽  
Current Lines

AbstractTo move today’s agricultural and urban systems towards tomorrow’s circular economy and respond to climate change, it is imperative to turn organic residues and wastewater into resourceful assets. This article discusses the changes that are needed in research to drive this paradigm shift and to go from a “losses and waste” situation to a “resource and opportunities” ambition. The current lines of research aim to maximise the use and value of biomass or organic residues and wastewater and propose new organisational schemes driven by technical innovations. Exploring the pathways to a sustainable future through many domains let us identify five challenges to structure the research efforts and find circular bioeconomy solutions for organic residues and wastewater: (1) proposing innovative processes and integrated multi-process systems; (2) promoting the emergence of multi-scale and cross-sectoral organisations; (3) developing multi-performance evaluation methods, (4) rethinking research–society intersections, and (5) enhancing research–legislation interactions. We end by outlining prospects for moving forward past current limitations: beyond increasing knowledge, research will continue its own transition. Our responsibility today is not to think about what we could do for a better world but what we should do to make our ever-changing world even better and more sustainable. Graphic Abstract

scholarly journals Empowering Urban Governance through Urban Science: Multi-Scale Dynamics of Urban Systems Worldwide

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (15) ◽  
pp. 5954
Author(s):  
Juste Raimbault ◽  
Eric Denis ◽  
Denise Pumain
Keyword(s):  
Urban Growth ◽  
Path Dependence ◽  
Dynamic Models ◽  
Network Flows ◽  
City Size ◽  
Urban Systems ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Multi Scale ◽  
The World ◽  
Urban Science

Cities are facing many sustainability issues in the context of the current global interdependency characterized by an economic uncertainty coupled to climate changes, which challenge their local policies aiming to better conciliate reasonable growth with livable urban environment. The urban dynamic models developed by the so-called “urban science” can provide a useful foundation for more sustainable urban policies. It implies that their proposals have been validated by correct observations of the diversity of situations in the world. However, international comparisons of the evolution of cities often produce unclear results because national territorial frameworks are not always in strict correspondence with the dynamics of urban systems. We propose to provide various compositions of systems of cities in order to better take into account the dynamic networking of cities that go beyond regional and national territorial boundaries. Different models conceived for explaining city size and urban growth distributions enable the establishing of a correspondence between urban trajectories when observed at the level of cities and systems of cities. We test the validity and representativeness of several dynamic models of complex urban systems and their variations across regions of the world, at the macroscopic scale of systems of cities. The originality of the approach resides in the way it considers spatial interaction and evolutionary path dependence as major features in the general behavior of urban entities. The models studied include diverse and complementary processes, such as economic exchanges, diffusion of innovations, and physical network flows. Complex systems dynamics is in principle unpredictable, but contextualizing it regarding demographic, income, and resource components may help in minimizing the forecasting errors. We use, among others, a new unique source correlating population and built-up footprint at world scale: the Global Human Settlement built-up areas (GHS-BU). Following the methodology and results already obtained in the European GeoDiverCity project, including USA, Europe, and BRICS countries, we complete them with this new dataset at world scale and different models. This research helps in further empirical testing of the hypotheses of the evolutionary theory of urban systems and partially revising them. We also suggest research directions towards the coupling of these models into a multi-scale model of urban growth.

scholarly journals Efficient utilization of renewable feedstocks: the role of catalysis and process design

2017 ◽  
Vol 376 (2110) ◽  
pp. 20170064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Regina Palkovits ◽  
Irina Delidovich
Keyword(s):  
Elevated Temperature ◽  
Gas Phase ◽  
Process Design ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Efficient Utilization ◽  
Polar Solvents ◽  
Platform Chemicals ◽  
Renewable Feedstocks

Renewable carbon feedstocks such as biomass and CO 2 present an important element of future circular economy. Especially biomass as highly functionalized feedstock provides manifold opportunities for the transformation into attractive platform chemicals. However, this change of the resources requires a paradigm shift in refinery design. Fossil feedstocks are processed in gas phase at elevated temperature. In contrast, biorefineries are based on processes in polar solvents at moderate conditions to selectively deoxygenate the polar, often thermally instable and high-boiling molecules. Here, challenges of catalytic deoxygenation, novel strategies for separation and opportunities provided at the interface to biotechnology are discussed in form of showcases. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘Providing sustainable catalytic solutions for a rapidly changing world’.

scholarly journals Is It Possible to Change from a Linear to a Circular Economy? An Overview of Opportunities and Barriers for European Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Companies

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Concepción Garcés-Ayerbe ◽  
Pilar Rivera-Torres ◽  
Inés Suárez-Perales ◽  
Dante Leyva-de la Hiz
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
Empirical Analysis ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Academic Literature ◽  
Preventive Practices ◽  
Gradual Process ◽  
Common Barriers

The Circular Economy is a paradigm shift attempting to replace the end-of-life concept with reducing, reusing, recycling and recovering materials and to slow down, close and narrow material and power loops. This concept is much discussed in the academic literature, but limited progress has been accomplished so far regarding its empirical analysis. The objective of this work is to study circular economy practices and analyze in depth the circular economy behavior in European firms. We find that firms’ circular economy behavior is a gradual process where measures are implemented gradually, starting with activities involving control measures and ending with putting preventive practices in place. We discovered also that the most proactive companies in implementing circular economy measures generally come across certain common barriers such as administrative processes, regulations and a lack of human resources to perform these practices, while firms that have not implemented circular economy measures view financing, investment and cost–benefit barriers as the most significant. Significant efforts need to be undertaken by firms to accomplished circular economy. Also circular economy regulation should be improved to make it easier for companies to implement strategies that will make them more sustainable.

Circular Economy - A challenge and an opportunity for Process Systems Engineering

2020 ◽  
Vol 133 ◽  
pp. 106629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Styliani Avraamidou ◽  
Stefanos G. Baratsas ◽  
Yuhe Tian ◽  
Efstratios N. Pistikopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Systems Engineering ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Process Systems Engineering ◽  
Process Systems

scholarly journals The Circular Economy at Enel X

2020 ◽  
pp. 101
Author(s):  
Nicola Tagliafierro
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Product Portfolio ◽  
Sustainable Business

Enel X is leading the transition toward a sustainable business model, with the circular economy as an important pillar. Using renewable energy sources and materials, extending product life cycles, creating sharing platforms, reuse and regeneration, rethinking products as services. The principles of the circular economy have become essential, considering the paradigm shift overturning the traditional linear economic model. Enel X was one of the first businesses to offer products on the market that concretely apply the five business models of the circular economy and reconsider the entire value chain from a sustainability perspective. This approach is characterized by two core principles: 1.  the first, addressed internally, focuses on the business’s product portfolio, which ranges from “measuring” circularity to identifying solutions for improvement; 2.  the second is directed toward the outside, and especially toward industrial customers and public administrations or end customers, with the goal of evaluating their level of “circularity” and helping them outline a roadmap to circularity.

scholarly journals Smart District and Circular Economy: The Role of ICT Solutions in Promoting Circular Cities

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 11732
Author(s):  
Massimiliano Viglioglia ◽  
Matteo Giovanardi ◽  
Riccardo Pollo ◽  
Pier Paolo Peruccio
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Decisive Role ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Urban Systems ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
Urban Context ◽  
Classification Framework ◽  
The One

Cities will have a decisive role in reducing the consumption of resources and greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Various experiences of urban regeneration have exploited Information and Communication Technology (ICT) potentialities to optimize the management of complex systems and to encourage sustainable development models. This paper investigates the role of ICT technologies in favouring emerging design for Circular Economy (CE) in the urban context. The paper starts by defining the theoretical background and subsequently presents the goal and methodology of investigation. Through a scoping review, the authors identify case studies and analyse them within the Ellen MacArthur Foundation classification framework that splits the urban context into three urban systems: buildings, mobility and products. The research focuses on nine case studies where the ICT solutions were able to promote the principles of CE. The results show, on the one hand, how data management appears to be a central issue in the optimization of urban processes and, on the other hand, how the district scale is the most appropriate to test innovative solutions. This paper identifies physical and virtual infrastructures, stakeholders and tools for user engagement as key elements for the pursuit of CE adoption in the urban context.

Methodological framework for the implementation of circular economy in urban systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 248 ◽  
pp. 119227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Sánchez Levoso ◽  
Carles M. Gasol ◽  
Julia Martínez-Blanco ◽  
Xavier Gabarell Durany ◽  
Martin Lehmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Urban Systems ◽  
Methodological Framework

scholarly journals The circular economy: a new paradigm for the textile and clothing industries

2020 ◽  
Vol 207 ◽  
pp. 03008
Author(s):  
Radostina A. Angelova
Keyword(s):  
Linear Model ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Environmental Issues ◽  
Ecological Systems ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Circular System

The Circular Economy (CE) is an approach that requires a paradigm shift from waste management and recycling to a completely new circular system in the textiles value chain. It is supposed to be linked with both the economic growth and harmonization with ecological systems. The paper investigates the limits of the existing linear model of textiles production and consumption. The supply chain in the CE model as an alternative to the linear model is presented. The formation of “loops” in the CE and their role for recovering the products’ value is analyzed. The environmental issues that arise with the new paradigm shift are also discussed. The difference between recycling and CE model is examined.

scholarly journals Systemic design and policy making

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Barbero ◽  
Agnese Pallaro
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Policy Making ◽  
Scientific Community ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Regulatory Barriers ◽  
Systemic Design ◽  
Piedmont Region

The paradigm shift from a linear to a circular economic model has been increasingly advocated by many, from the scientific community to governments. The benefits of a Circular Economy (CE) are particularly appealing for Europe, considering the issues Europe is currently facing. Even though the European Union (EU) promotes activities to support the transition to a CE, several economic, social and regulatory barriers hinder this. The full potential of a CE can be realised only after these barriers have been overcome. Given the current European context in relation to policymaking for a CE, the paper provides a case study of the RETRACE Interreg Europe project to argue that the methodology of the Systemic Design approach can support the transition to a Circular Economy, thus overcoming existing barriers. The focus of the discussion will be narrowed to the Piedmont region (Italy) to better support the argument.

scholarly journals Assessment of the Materials Employed in Green Artificial Reefs for the Galician Estuaries in Terms of Circular Economy

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (23) ◽  
pp. 8850
Author(s):  
Luis Carral ◽  
Carolina Camba Fabal ◽  
Mª Isabel Lamas Galdo ◽  
Mª Jesús Rodríguez-Guerreiro ◽  
Juan José Cartelle Barros
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Resources ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Artificial Reef ◽  
Artificial Reefs ◽  
Organic Residues ◽  
Environmental Consequences ◽  
Efficient Management ◽  
Mussel Shells ◽  
First Time ◽  
Canning Industry

To exploit marine resources in a sustainable way, efficient management systems must be used such as green artificial reefs (GARs). These reefs are mostly made up of renewable and organic materials. When adopting the circular economy (CE) model, industrial processes must be reconsidered. By adapting how conventional artificial reefs (CARs) are engineered and produced to embrace the principles of the CE, certain materials can be used. Renewable resources are designed to be reintroduced into the biosphere without producing harmful organic residues or nutrients. Within a framework that covers economic, environmental and social considerations, this study offers four new proposals related to substituting the materials destined for the components in an artificial reef. For the first time, two different methodologies were applied to determine the best alternative in terms of its contribution to both sustainability and CE. From the results obtained, the best solutions are in line with substituting a certain amount of the cement and sand with mussel shells. The importance of the results lies in the fact that the canning industry in Galicia (northwest Spain) generates shell residues which promote grave environmental consequences.

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