DEGROWTH, STEADY STATE AND CIRCULAR ECONOMIES: ALTERNATIVE DISCOURSES TO ECONOMIC GROWTH

Criticisms of the neoclassical economic framework and perpetual growth in GDP terms are not a new phenomenon, although recent years have seen increasing interest in alternative and ecological discourses including degrowth, steady-state and circular economics. Although these may initially appear as distinctly different discourses, they are highly compatible and comparable, sharing similar, often nearly identical principles and policy proposals. A more collaborative, joined-up approach aimed at integrating alternative discourses is required in order to build a coherent, credible, well-supported alternative, as there is more uniting than dividing these critical voices, particularly in the face of mainstream political and economic debates that are shaped by neoclassical economics.

Production of Enriched Sporidiobolus sp. Yeast Biomass Cultivated on Mixed Coffee Hydrolyzate and Fat/Oil Waste Materials

One of the most addressed topics today is the transfer from a linear model of economics to a model of circular economics. It is a discipline that seeks to eliminate waste produced by various industries. The food industry generates huge amounts of waste worldwide, particularly the coffee industry, and related industries produce millions of tons of waste a year. These wastes have potential utility in biotechnology, and in the production of energy, fuels, fertilizers and nutrients, using green techniques such as anaerobic digestion, co-digestion, composting, enzymatic action, and ultrasonic and hydrothermal carbonization. This work is focused on the biotechnological use of processed spent coffee grounds (SCG) and waste fat/oil materials by some Sporidiobolus sp. carotenogenic yeasts in the model of circular economics. The results show that selected yeast strains are able to grow on SCG hydrolysate and are resistant to antimicrobial compounds present in media. The most productive strain Sporidiobolus pararoseus CCY19-9-6 was chosen for bioreactor cultivation in media with a mixture of coffee lignocellulose fraction and some fat wastes. Sporidiobolus pararoseus CCY19-9-6 was able to produce more than 22 g/L of biomass in mixture of SCG hydrolysate and both coffee oil and frying oil. The combined waste substrates induced the production of lipidic metabolites, whereby the production of carotenoids exceeded 5 mg/g of dry biomass. On media with coffee oil, this strain produced high amounts of ubiquinone (8.265 ± 1.648 mg/g) and ergosterol (13.485 ± 1.275 mg/g). Overall, the results prove that a combination of waste substrates is a promising option for the production of carotenoid- and lipid-enriched yeast biomass.

ORGANIZATION OF POSTGRADUATE TRAINING OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY SPECIALISTS IN THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND (ON THE EXAMPLE OF SILESIAN POLYTECHNICS)

The article is devoted to the analysis of the organization and content of postgraduate training of specialists in circular economics in the Republic of Poland on the example of Silesian Polytechnic. It is emphasized that the Republic of Poland is taking significant steps in the development of the circular economy and the training of specialists to implement its ideas. Based on the analysis of postgraduate education programs «Circular Economics and Cleaner Production in Practice» and «Cyclic Engineering» in the Silesian Polytechnic, the article reveals the requirements the requirements, rights and responsibilities of postgraduate students are revealed; knowledge, skills and competencies that they acquire in the process of training in circular economics programs; forms of education and the content of diplomas that students receive after training, as well as areas of possible employment. It is emphasized that in the system of postgraduate education of Silesian Polytechnic there are programs both directly from the circular economy and from certain problems that relate to the scope of such specialists and contribute to the development of a circular economy. It is proved that the training of specialists in circular economics in postgraduate studies acquires a systemic character in terms of coverage of the content of those problems that relate to the professional activities of specialists in circular economics. The indisputable value of such educational programs is to involve in their development and determine the content of training not only teachers of higher education institutions, but also public and professional societies that care for the environment, waste recycling and more. Educational programs on circular economics at Silesian Polytechnic are practice-oriented, they include consultations in circular production companies, trainings on business practice, as well as the development of an implementation project under the guidance of experts.

Universities driving cooperation and circular change

The article explores the potential for the development of cooperative processes in Russia, including under the influence of the circular economy. The analysis of the most relevant scientific schools and approaches that reveal the circular economy model is carried out. The article revealed the actual mechanisms of cooperation between business, science and education in Russia. Based on the data of the survey of enterprises of the Kama innovative territorial-production cluster, the high potential of scientific and educational organizations for involving enterprises in the process of cooperation was determined. The topic of circular economics is proposed as a basis for cooperation between universities and enterprises.

Evaluation of the Circularity of Recycled PLA Filaments for 3D Printers

The circular economy model offers great opportunities to companies, as it not only allows them to capture additional value from their products and materials, but also reduce the fluctuations of price-related risks and material supply. These risks are present in all kind of businesses not based on the circular economy. The circular economy also enables economic growth without the need for more resources. This is because each unit has a higher value as a result of recycling and reuse of products and materials after use. Following this circular economics framework, the Polytechnic University of Madrid (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, UPM) has adopted strategies aimed at improving the circularity of products. In particular, this article provides the result of obtaining recycled PLA filament from waste originating from university 3D FFF (fused filament fabrication) printers and waste generated by “Coronamakers” in the production of visors and parts for PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment) during the lockdown period of COVID-19 in Spain. This filament is used in the production of 3D printed parts that university students use in their classes, so the circular loop is closed. The obtained score of Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) of this material has been calculated, indicating its high level of circularity.