scholarly journals Barriers to Implementing the Circular Economy in the Construction Industry: A Critical Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 12989
Author(s):  
Rabia Charef ◽  
Jean-Claude Morel ◽  
Kambiz Rakhshan
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Reverse Logistics ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Critical Review ◽  
Sustainable Management ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Large Range ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Closed Loop Systems ◽  
Dominant Designs

To facilitate the adoption of the circular economy (CE) in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) sector, some authors have demonstrated the potential of recent designs that take into account the sustainable management of an asset’s end-of-life (EOL), providing an alternative to the dominant designs that end with demolition. However, there is no review of the literature that encompasses a large range of sustainable designs in the current CE context. This paper provides a critical review of journal papers that deal with the barriers to implementing sustainable designs and approaches to the EOL management of assets that have the potential to fulfil the principles of the CE. Eighteen approaches related to prefabrication, design for change, design for deconstruction, reverse logistics, waste management and closed-loop systems were found. Through an analysis of the barriers that are common among these 18 approaches, we classified them into six different categories (organisational, economical, technical, social, political and environmental). Two Sankey diagrams illustrate the interrelation between the barriers, their categories and the 18 approaches. The diagrams clearly show that most of the barriers are common to multiple approaches and that most of the barriers relate to organisational concerns. The study gives a detailed map of the barriers that would help stakeholders from the AEC sector develop strategies to overcome the current obstacles in the shift to a CE.

scholarly journals How Do Intelligent Goods Shape Closed-Loop Systems?

2018 ◽  
Vol 60 (3) ◽  
pp. 20-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Risto Rajala ◽  
Esko Hakanen ◽  
Juri Mattila ◽  
Timo Seppälä ◽  
Mika Westerlund
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Industrial Ecology ◽  
Open Systems ◽  
Digital Platforms ◽  
Disruptive Technologies ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Closed Loop Systems ◽  
Industrial Ecosystems

Disruptive technologies can increase the intelligence of goods and revitalize business models in the circular economy. Applying an industrial ecology perspective, this article discusses how intelligent goods can boost the sustainability of industrial ecosystems. North American and European cases highlight how business model innovators can utilize goods-related information to develop more competitive closed-loop systems. The authors identify three archetypes of closed-loop systems—inner circles, decentralized systems, and open systems—and delineate how they leverage information resources for collaboration. This study advances the understanding of closed-loop systems in the circular economy, which is more dependent than ever on digital platforms.

Unveiling the potentials of circular economy values in logistics and supply chain management

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 723-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Faja Ripanti ◽  
Benny Tjahjono
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Supply Chain Management ◽  
Reverse Logistics ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Product Recovery ◽  
Closed Loop Supply Chain ◽  
Chain Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to unveil the circular economy (CE) values with an ultimate goal to provide tenets in a format or structure that can potentially be used for designing a circular, closed-loop supply chain and reverse logistics. Design/methodology/approach This is desk-based research whose data were collected from relevant publication databases and other scientific resources, using a wide range of keywords and phrases associated with CE, reverse logistics, product recovery and other relevant terms. There are five main steps in the reformulation of CE principles: literature filtering, literature analysis, thematic analysis, value definition and value mapping. Findings In total, 15 CE values have been identified according to their fundamental concepts, behaviours, characteristics and theories. The values are grouped into principles, intrinsic attributes and enablers. These values can be embedded into the design process of product recovery management, reverse logistics and closed-loop supply chain. Research limitations/implications The paper contributes to the redefinition, identification and implementation of the CE values, as a basis for the transformation from a traditional to a more circular supply chain. The reformulation of the CE values will potentially affect the way supply chain and logistics systems considering the imperatives of circularity may be designed in the future. Originality/value The reformulation principles, intrinsic attributes and enablers of CE in this paper is considered innovative in terms of improving a better understanding of the notion of CE and how CE can be applied in the context of modern logistics and supply chain management.

scholarly journals Circular Economy: Recent Technology Management Considerations : Supply chain innovation key to business-to-consumer closed-loop systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-75
Author(s):  
Benjamin T. Hazen ◽  
Ivan Russo ◽  
Ilenia Confente
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Technology Management ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Closed Loop Systems ◽  
Production And Consumption ◽  
Management Perspective ◽  
Business To Consumer ◽  
Means Of Production

As citizens, organisations and governments across the globe increase their interest in environmentally and socially sustainable means of production and consumption, the idea of a circular economy (CE) has been at the forefront of recent discussions held at organisational, national and international levels. This article briefly presents the CE concept from a supply chain management perspective. Then, two contemporary, representative CE technology management problems are introduced. The article concludes with some takeaways that policy makers and managers can use to inform further CE development.

scholarly journals Water-Energy-Nutrients Synergies in the Agrifood Sector: A Circular Economy Framework

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 159
Author(s):  
Efthymios Rodias ◽  
Eirini Aivazidou ◽  
Charisios Achillas ◽  
Dimitrios Aidonis ◽  
Dionysis Bochtis
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Industrial Wastewater ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Agricultural Activities ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Chemical Fertilizers ◽  
Closed Loop Systems

Circular economy is emerging as a regenerative concept that minimizes emissions, relies on renewable energy, and eliminates waste based on the design of closed-loop systems and the reuse of materials and resources. The implementation of circular economy practices in resource-consuming agricultural systems is essential for reducing the environmental ramifications of the currently linear systems. As the renewable segment of circular economy, bioeconomy facilitates the production of renewable biological resources (i.e., biomass) that transform into nutrients, bio-based products, and bioenergy. The use of recycled agro-industrial wastewater in agricultural activities (e.g., irrigation) can further foster the circularity of the bio-based systems. In this context, this paper aims to provide a literature review in the field of circular economy for the agrifood sector to enhance resource efficiency by: (i) minimizing the use of natural resources (e.g., water, energy), (ii) decreasing the use of chemical fertilizers, (iii) utilizing bio-based materials (e.g., agricultural/livestock residues), and (iv) reusing wastewater from agrifood operations. The final objective is to investigate any direct or indirect interactions within the water-energy-nutrients nexus. The derived framework of synergetic circular economy interventions in agriculture can act as a basis for developing circular bio-based business models and creating value-added agrifood products.

Barriers to implementing reverse logistics in South Australian construction organisations

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 179-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Chileshe ◽  
Raufdeen Rameezdeen ◽  
M. Reza Hosseini ◽  
Steffen Lehmann
Keyword(s):  
Construction Industry ◽  
Reverse Logistics ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
The Body ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Road Map ◽  
Industrial Sectors

Purpose – This paper aims to present a survey of the perceptions of the barriers to implementing reverse logistics (RL) practices in South Australian (SA) construction organisations. Despite the extensive research on forward logistics and RL, there is a paucity of studies that examine the barriers to implementing RL particularly within the Australian construction industry. This study builds on the ongoing research being undertaken by the authors, entitled “Designing for reverse logistics (DfRL) within the building life cycle: practices, drivers and barriers”, which is examining the best practices and drivers that could be used as a “road map” for developing appropriate solutions for the successful implementation of RL. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected by utilising a triangulated data collection approach, a literature review and 49 questionnaires. The review of the literature identified 16 barriers to implementing RL. The quantitative survey data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics with correlation analysis to examine the relationships between different pairs of variables comprising RL’s critical barriers. Findings – The following barriers were indicated as most significant: lack of incorporation of salvaged materials by designers; regulation restrictions to usage of recovered materials and components; potential legal liabilities; higher costs; and longer-time association with deconstructing buildings. The least ranked barriers were mostly drawn from the operational and industrial categories as being: organisational lack of support for deconstruction due to incompatible design; lack of organisational support for deconstructing buildings due to higher health and safety risks; and inadequate skills and experience for deconstruction (operational). The industrial barrier was related to “higher costs of salvaged materials in comparison to virgin products”. Research limitations/implications – First, the reported findings are focussed on one study that used questionnaire surveys within the construction industry; therefore, the results may not be generalisable to other contexts. Further, studies should be conducted and extended to other industrial sectors beyond the construction industry. Second, the quantitative study (n = 49) used a smaller sample, and the survey items were based on the review of the literature. Practical implications – The identified barriers could be used as a “road map” for the development of appropriate solutions for the successful implementation of RL, and to improve the environment-related decision-making processes of contractors. Originality/value – This study makes a contribution to the body of knowledge on the subject of RL within a previously unexplored SA context. In addition, the study provides some insights on the contributory effects of the barriers to the implementation of RL. It is the first work undertaken to determine the barriers to the adoption of RL within the SA construction industry.

scholarly journals Exploring posthuman ethics: opening new spaces for postqualitative inquiry within pedagogies of the circular economy

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Helen Kopnina
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Education ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Corporate Strategy ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Critical Discussion ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Closed Loop Systems ◽  
Education Community ◽  
Retail Company

Abstract This article discusses closed-loop systems, namely Cradle to Cradle and circular economy, in the context of sustainable education. These circular models, at least ideally, promise absolute decoupling of resource consumption from the economy. This article presents student assignments applying these models to Hennes & Mauritz, a clothing retail company, and insect food producer, Protix. While the discussion of circular economy revolves around the economic benefits of closed-loop systems, it rarely addresses posthumanism. Posthumanism is related to postqualitative theory, inspired by Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guattari. Deleuze and Guattari emphasize that nature has become intertwined with technology and culture. In the cases discussed, combining both techno- and organic materials produces ‘monstrous hybrids’. It appears that fully circular solutions are rare as absolute decoupling is limited by thermodynamic (im)possibilities. This realization still has to be developed in environmental education. Within this posthumanist inquiry, the larger lesson from the case studies is the necessity of teaching about degrowth in production, consumption and corporate strategy. In pedagogical terms, this article aims to generate a more critical discussion within the environmental education community about how postqualitative inquiry can provide different and distinct perspectives from qualitative inquiry in the context of the circular economy.

scholarly journals Development of a Life Cycle Assessment Allocation Approach for Circular Economy in the Built Environment

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (22) ◽  
pp. 9579
Author(s):  
Leonora Charlotte Malabi Eberhardt ◽  
Anne van Stijn ◽  
Freja Nygaard Rasmussen ◽  
Morten Birkved ◽  
Harpa Birgisdottir
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Multiple Use ◽  
Closed Loop Systems ◽  
Timber Column ◽  
Building Components

Transitioning the built environment to a circular economy (CE) is vital to achieve sustainability goals but requires metrics. Life cycle assessment (LCA) can analyse the environmental performance of CE. However, conventional LCA methods assess individual products and single life cycles whereas circular assessment requires a systems perspective as buildings, components and materials potentially have multiple use and life cycles. How should benefits and burdens be allocated between life cycles? This study compares four different LCA allocation approaches: (a) the EN 15804/15978 cut-off approach, (b) the Circular Footprint Formula (CFF), (c) the 50:50 approach, and (d) the linearly degressive (LD) approach. The environmental impacts of four ‘circular building components’ is calculated: (1) a concrete column and (2) a timber column both designed for direct reuse, (3) a recyclable roof felt and (4) a window with a reusable frame. Notable differences in impact distributions between the allocation approaches were found, thus incentivising different CE principles. The LD approach was found to be promising for open and closed-loop systems within a closed loop supply chain (such as the ones assessed here). A CE LD approach was developed to enhance the LD approach’s applicability, to closer align it with the CE concept, and to create an incentive for CE in the industry.

Circular cities

Urban Studies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (13) ◽  
pp. 2746-2762 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Williams
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Closed Loop ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Economic Base ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
Industrial Systems ◽  
Economic Problems ◽  
Current State ◽  
Urban Problems ◽  
Resource Security

A circular approach to the way in which we manage the resources consumed and produced in cities – materials, energy, water and land – will significantly reduce the consumption of finite resources globally. It will also help to address urban problems including resource security, waste disposal, greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, heating, drought and flooding. Taking a circular approach can also tackle many other socio-economic problems afflicting cities, for example, providing access to affordable accommodation, expanding and diversifying the economic base, building more engaged and collaborative communities in cities. Thus it has great potential to improve our urban living environments. To date, the industrial ecologists and economists have tended to dominate the circularity debate, focusing on closed-loop industrial systems and circular economy (circular businesses and systems of provision). In this paper I investigate why the current state-of-the-art conceptualisation for circular economy (RESOLVE) is inadequate when applied to a city. Through this critique and a broader review of the literature I identify the principles and components which are lacking from the circular economy (CE) conceptualisation when applied to a city. I then use this to develop my own definition and conceptualisation of a circular approach to urban resource management.

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