scholarly journals Abfallwirtschaftliche Geschäftsmodelle für Textilien in der Circular Economy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Niebler
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Work Conditions ◽  
Macro Level ◽  
Actual State ◽  
Design Guideline ◽  
Framework Conditions

This master thesis explores the challenges for waste management business models in the field of textiles regarding the requirements of the circular economy, as well as improvement potentials in the current framework conditions. It is concerned with the research question: "Is it advisable to change the frame-work conditions at meso or macro level, with regard to business models for waste management companies in the textile sector that are oriented towards the requirements of the circular economy, and - if so - in what way?” The approach of the study is based on the delta analysis of the e Society for Institutional Analysis at the Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences. It compares the target state of the normative requirements with the actual state of the textile and waste management framework conditions and attempts to identify the gaps (the delta). Based on the delta, it develops approaches that are intended to help reduce the gaps. The thesis develops three business models for the target year 2025 in different areas: an exchange platform for sorters, recyclers and designers, an automatic sorting plant and a plant for fibre-to-fibre recycling of mixed materials. It is becoming clear that these business models cannot meet the target requirements for the circular economy. The analysis identifies the remaining gaps in the framework conditions as the main problem. For example, insufficient innovation impulses and the lack of competitiveness of secondary raw materials inhibit the actors from applying and using new technologies and business models. Restricted access to knowledge and information, as well as a lack of transparency between the actors, also prove to be problematic. In order to answer the research question, the study recommends altering the framework conditions at meso and macro level. It proposes a platform for cooperation between designers, the introduction of a material declaration system and an eco-design guideline for textiles as possible development options. In addition, this work offers a matrix of criteria to help the actors test and improve their new waste management business models regarding their suitability for the circular economy. The analysis is carried out from an outsider's perspective on the entire textile industry. It therefore cannot cover and deal with all aspects and individual circumstances of each player in detail. The necessary changes in the framework conditions that have been identified can therefore be used as a basis for further investigations.

Emerging Industrial Revolution: Symbiosis of Industry 4.0 and Circular Economy: The Role of Universities

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 505-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seeram Ramakrishna ◽  
Alfred Ngowi ◽  
Henk De Jager ◽  
Bankole O. Awuzie
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
New Jobs

Growing consumerism and population worldwide raises concerns about society’s sustainability aspirations. This has led to calls for concerted efforts to shift from the linear economy to a circular economy (CE), which are gaining momentum globally. CE approaches lead to a zero-waste scenario of economic growth and sustainable development. These approaches are based on semi-scientific and empirical concepts with technologies enabling 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) and 6Rs (reuse, recycle, redesign, remanufacture, reduce, recover). Studies estimate that the transition to a CE would save the world in excess of a trillion dollars annually while creating new jobs, business opportunities and economic growth. The emerging industrial revolution will enhance the symbiotic pursuit of new technologies and CE to transform extant production systems and business models for sustainability. This article examines the trends, availability and readiness of fourth industrial revolution (4IR or industry 4.0) technologies (for example, Internet of Things [IoT], artificial intelligence [AI] and nanotechnology) to support and promote CE transitions within the higher education institutional context. Furthermore, it elucidates the role of universities as living laboratories for experimenting the utility of industry 4.0 technologies in driving the shift towards CE futures. The article concludes that universities should play a pivotal role in engendering CE transitions.

scholarly journals Imperatives for the formation and development of the circular economy and global waste management

2021 ◽  
Vol 255 ◽  
pp. 01034
Author(s):  
Inna Khomenko ◽  
Marina Vuychenko ◽  
Maryna Gomeniuk ◽  
Yurii Mazur ◽  
Oksana Haidai
Keyword(s):  
Resource Management ◽  
Waste Management ◽  
Public Administration ◽  
National Economy ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Ecological Problem ◽  
Circular Model ◽  
The World ◽  
Waste Accumulation

The world ecological problem of waste accumulation, environmental pollution and the need to develop a circular economy are described. The aim of the article is to show the advantage of using a circular economy in the management of the national economy. It is substantiated that resource management should radically change from a linear model of accept-use-dispose to a more stable, circular model. It is proved that the principles of circular economy are not based on the management of material and waste flows, but on more valuable methods, such as maintenance, recycling and reuse. Different models of circular economy and their shortcomings are considered. Based on practical world experience in implementing the concept of circular economy, 5 main circular business models are identified. It has been established that circular supply chains that minimize waste and seek to reuse, repair and recycle where waste cannot be prevented should be more sustainable than the linear systems they replace. It was found that in the absence of effective resource management, the current environmental situation will lead to fatal consequences, which confirms the need for public administration to ensure the use of a circular economy.

scholarly journals Smart Manufacturing Systems and Applied Industrial Technologies for a Sustainable Industry: A Systematic Literature Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 2897
Author(s):  
Raffaele Cioffi ◽  
Marta Travaglioni ◽  
Giuseppina Piscitelli ◽  
Antonella Petrillo ◽  
Adele Parmentola
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Manufacturing Systems ◽  
Business Models ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Smart Manufacturing ◽  
Smart Devices ◽  
Digital Innovation ◽  
Smart Manufacturing Systems

Smart manufacturing is considered as a new paradigm that makes work smarter and more connected, bringing speed and flexibility through the introduction of digital innovation. Today, digital innovation is closely linked to the “sustainability” of companies. Digital innovation and sustainability are two inseparable principles that are based on the concept of circular economy. Digital innovation enables a circular economy model, promoting the use of solutions like digital platforms, smart devices, and artificial intelligence that help to optimize resources. Thus, the purpose of the research is to present a systematic literature review on what enabling technologies can promote new circular business models. A total of 31 articles were included in the study. Our results showed that realization of the circular economy involved two main changes: (i) managerial changes and (ii) legislative changes. Furthermore, the creation of the circular economy can certainly be facilitated by innovation, especially through the introduction of new technologies and through the introduction of digital innovations.

scholarly journals Circular economy in the waste management sector

2021 ◽  
pp. 243-250
Author(s):  
Gabriel Grabowski
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Current Trend ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Municipal Waste ◽  
Standards Of Living ◽  
Closing The Loop ◽  
Waste Segregation ◽  
Multiple Challenges

The growing population and rising standards of living lead to an increase of the consumption of many goods. Reducing municipal waste which is created in that process can result in a wide range of environmental, economic, and social benefits, such as reducing pollution in water and soil, greenhouse gas emissions and loss of valuable materials. The concept to solve this problem of municipal waste due to increased consumption can be found, among others, in circular economy (CE). Circular economy can be defined as “an economic system that is based on business models which replace the ‘end-of-life’ concept with reducing, alternatively reusing, recycling and recovering materials in production/distribution and consumption processes to accomplish sustainable development” (Kirchherr, Reike, & Hekkert, 2017). A current trend in developed countries is closing the loop, moving from the concept of “end-of-pipe” waste management towards more holistic resource management (Wilson, 2007). Implementing the circular economy approach through waste management systems can pose multiple challenges while providing incentives to improve waste management infrastructure. However, this requires investments and may be perceived by many people as cost, not investment in future generations and their standard of living. The aim of this chapter is to initiate discussion on the positive aspects and barriers of circular economy development in the Polish waste management sector. In the case study described in the text, the roles of citizens, public institutions as well as enterprises are shown in selective waste collection processes as an important element of circular economy. In Poland, awareness of waste segregation and the importance of using recycled materials is not well-developed compared to many other EU countries, although this situation is beginning to gradually improve.

scholarly journals Plastics Recycling with Tracer-Based-Sorting: Challenges of a Potential Radical Technology

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 258
Author(s):  
Johannes Gasde ◽  
Jörg Woidasky ◽  
Jochen Moesslein ◽  
Claus Lang-Koetz
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Model Development ◽  
Innovation Process ◽  
Environment Analysis ◽  
Sustainable Implementation ◽  
Framework Conditions ◽  
Business Model Development ◽  
Practical Recommendations

To improve the recycling quality of plastics packaging and achieve high recycling rates new identification and sorting technologies are required. Tracer-based-sorting (TBS) is an innovative identification technology based on fluorescent tracers and a corresponding detection unit. TBS can be considered a radical technology change towards a circular economy for plastics and to support sustainability as it has the potential to render several established sorting and/or recycling steps obsolete. This article shows which drivers and barriers are perceived by stakeholders with regard to the implementation of TBS in the market and how challenges are addressed responsibly in the early phases of the innovation process. Influencing external factors and framework conditions of TBS are identified and suitable business models for TBS in a circular economy are discussed. Further, practical recommendations on how to optimize technology and market development for TBS are provided. To obtain these results a mixed method approach of integrated innovation and sustainability analysis, external environment analysis (PESTEL analysis), and business model development approaches was chosen. The research results can be understood as a practical contribution towards a responsible and sustainable implementation of a radical technology-based innovation for a circular economy of plastics.

scholarly journals Circular economy is Ukraine: adaptation of European experience

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (1) ◽  
pp. 212-222
Author(s):  
Maryana Ruda ◽  
◽  
Tetiana Yaremchuk ◽  
Maryana Bortnikova ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
Sustainable Consumption ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Environmentally Friendly ◽  
Waste Recycling ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Use Of Resources

The article examines the development of the circular economy in Ukraine, as well as the prospects of implementation of the experience of leading EU countries in the field of circular economy in Ukraine. The relevance of the study is that for now in Ukraine very few steps have been taken towards a circular economy, although everyone understands its importance. First of all, the meaning of the circular economy is revealed and the main advantages of its implementation in Ukraine are determined. The advantages of the transition to a circular economy are as follows: significant material savings, sustainable use of resources, stimulating innovations, the ability to meet the needs of the ever-growing population of the Earth, economic growth, and income. The circular or closed-loop economy involves the recovery, reuse, and rational use of resources and, through services and smart solutions, leads to added value. The state of resource management in Ukraine and the EU, in particular waste management, is analyzed. It is established that in the field of waste management Ukraine lags far behind developed European countries. Today, huge amounts of waste have accumulated in Ukraine, and currently, there is no developed infrastructure to decide this problem, and landfills themselves have become sources of great environmental danger. The new EU policy and the policy of Ukraine in the field of circular economy are analyzed. Taking into account the best European practices, recommendations are given to Ukraine on the transition from a traditional, linear economy to a circular economy. The main ones are as follows: it is necessary to change the structure of public procurement and focus on environmentally friendly types of production; it is necessary to accelerate the transition of Ukraine from the traditional model of public procurement to the concept of “green” procurement; it is necessary to develop an effective legislative and regulatory framework for the functioning of the circular economy; it is necessary to move to more efficient business models (such as ecodesign, repair, reuse, recovery and exchange of products and maximum prevention of waste generation) and stimulate the development of environmentally friendly technologies; it is expedient to develop programs of financing of projects in the field of circular economy; it is necessary to promote better awareness of consumers about the concept of “circular” economy, environmental “footprint” of goods and services, as well as sustainable consumption; it is necessary to change the method of production and consumption of goods from short-term to long-term, as well as to encourage the economy, businesses and consumers to maximize waste recycling. It is also established that in general, Ukraine’s policy in the field of circular economy should be formed and implemented at all three levels: national, regional, and global. However, each of us can begin to change in the direction of a circular economy (for example, through conscious consumption and resource conservation). It is also important to realize the importance of sorting garbage because its removal to landfills and finding new ones is not the best solution. Garbage needs to be recycled, and this can only be done if it is sorted.

Transition to the Circular Economy

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-53
Author(s):  
Ron Schipper ◽  
Gilbert Silvius
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Program Management ◽  
Strategy Implementation ◽  
System Thinking ◽  
Sense Making ◽  
Conceptual Mapping ◽  
Systemic Transformation ◽  
Multiple Levels

Programmes are seen as vehicles for (internal) strategy implementation. However, organisations are existing within society, and their activities effect this society. Society itself also faces ‘strategic' challenges. One of these is the transition to a circular economy which requires organisations to organize themselves along circular business models (CBM). It can be expected that organisations would apply program management to pursue these CBM. A systemic transformation approach distinguishes multiple societal levels that need to evolve jointly over time. The research question is how this would influence the program management discipline. Therefore, a conceptual mapping of the circular economy and program management was performed. The findings reveal that taking a societal view on programs would urge PgM to address this challenge at multiple levels, within multi-dimensions and a system thinking perspective. It requires to position programs between the stakeholders at the meso-level and adopt to an explicit sense-making and learning cycle benefiting from short iterative interventions.

scholarly journals Circular Economy in Russia: Drivers and Barriers for Waste Management Development

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (20) ◽  
pp. 5837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Fedotkina ◽  
Elena Gorbashko ◽  
Natalia Vatolkina
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Management System ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
Green Economy ◽  
Russian Government ◽  
Best Available Techniques ◽  
Waste Management System

Russia is just starting to become a circular and green economy. The development of an efficient national waste management system is a prerequisite for the circular economy (CE). Russian companies are already moving toward adopting more circular business models because it is proven to be a sound business strategy. This strategy facilitates access to new markets, drives innovative solutions, and saves production costs. This paper presents a general understanding of the CE concept. Using practical examples, we show how the Russian government and other stakeholders are providing solutions to advance the development of the waste management system. The paper demonstrates political, legal, and institutional changes implemented through waste management practices and reforms. We introduce four stages of evolution of waste management in Russia and discuss the changing roles of stakeholders in a waste management ecosystem. We conduct a case study of the best available techniques of waste management in leading Russian companies to identify the roles existing in waste management systems (WMS), to allocate responsibilities of each role, and to describe three types of corporate strategies of waste management. The paper is based on the analysis of official public documents and official reports of leading Russian companies.

scholarly journals Current Status of Circular Economy Research in Finland

Resources ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 40
Author(s):  
Aida Hosseinian ◽  
Jenni Ylä-Mella ◽  
Eva Pongrácz
Keyword(s):  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
National Level ◽  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Materials Management ◽  
Research Fields ◽  
Waste Management Practices

Circular economy has emerged as a sustainable alternative to the traditional, linear, extract-produce-use-dump economy. The scientific society, practitioners, policymakers, and business sectors are all actively taking part in driving the transition toward circular economy in their own sectors. Every sector is striving to address the environmental issues of their own area, and to find solutions to the problem of resource scarcity. However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies on the general status of circular economy research and applied projects. Finland aims to be a global pioneer in this field, which is why there is a tremendous boost in research in various fields of sustainable materials management. Therefore, there is a need to have a better perspective of the research society’s efforts to accelerate the transition to circular economy. The objective of this paper is to review scientific research and practices of circular economy transition in Finland, in order to categorize and analyze them. The paper aims to give an insight into the current status and provide a comprehensive understanding of the trend changes during the past 20 years. The analysis shows that there is growing attention to circular economy in many research fields, researchers and practitioners in all fields have responded to the need of the society. However, the recycling-based ‘end-of-pipe’ interpretation of circular economy is still more dominant than developing and implementing strategies for circular product design, dematerializing society, and developing service-based business models. It is important to bear in mind that circular economy is about much more than improved resource flows and waste management practices. Achieving a circular economy needs the engagement of the society, it needs invention and innovation and it also requires the creation of new technologies, products, services, and business models. This study gives a comprehensive perspective at the national level and addresses the key actions and sectors which require more investment and attention from the scientific community to boost the transition toward circular economy. There are some limitation in this study derived from the method of data collection and selection of databases. Due to this, there may be valuable works that were not published, or only in the Finnish language and were, therefore, not identified in this study.

Digitisation and Sustainable Development: The Opportunities and Risks of Using Digital Technologies for the Implementation of a Circular Economy

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-23
Author(s):  
Benjamin Kottmeyer
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Social Outcomes ◽  
Social Progress ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Critical Social

Digitisation is developing a transformational potential that is profoundly changing people, our societies and the planet. Like any major societal transformation, it offers both, significant opportunities for progress and significant risks with harmful consequences for societies. This paper, therefore, addresses the question: ‘What are the critical social outcomes and concerns flowing from the advances in digitisation on our work environment?’ To discuss the broad research question in sufficient depth, this paper focuses not only on specific critical social outcomes of digitisation but also on how some of them can be mitigated by combining digital tools with the concept of a circular economy (representing the abstract idea of sustainable development). The implementation of blockchain technologies and new business models shows that digital technologies have the potential to close the realisation gap between theory and practice of the circular economy concept by enhancing the information flow and the communication between stakeholders in the value chain. Nonetheless, the implementation of these technologies also entails social and economic risks, such as power abuse or regulatory arbitrage, which should be considered in advance. To avoid jeopardising digital innovations, future research should therefore develop a more holistic and interdisciplinary understanding of the complex interactions to exploit the potential of digitisation for social progress.

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