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Recycling
Special Issues
Sustainability of the Circular Economy
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Sustainability of the Circular Economy

A special issue of Recycling (ISSN 2313-4321).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 September 2024) | Viewed by 17002

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Julio Sacramento Rivero

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida 97000, Mexico
Interests: sustainability; LCA; life cycle assessment; biofuel

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The concept of circular economy, while appealing at first glance, involves deep transformations at various scales. Its implementation involves systems analysis, life-cycle thinking, and commonly overlaps with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, there is evidence that this is not always the case. Often, recycling processes may be more energy-intensive than production from new raw materials. Processes modified to improve their circularity indicators may translate negative environmental impacts up or down the life cycle. Hence, life cycle assessments are key for understanding the implications of circular systems in relation to the SDG. Furthermore, social aspects and impacts of process circularity are largely unknown and rarely included in sustainability assessments. Understanding the relationship between process circularity and socio-environmental impacts is fundamental for informed policy making, addressing a transition to a circular economy.

Hence, this Special Issue aims to produce scientific information addressing one or more of the following research questions:

  • How can life cycle assessment and sustainability indicators be applied to the evaluation of product and process circularity?
  • How does energy management play a role in making circular initiatives sustainable?
  • What are the social impacts, either positive or negative, that can be generated when applying the principles of circular economy?
  • What are the indicators that best describe a successful low-carbon circular economy project without ignoring important underlying issues, such as social impacts or net emissions?
  • What are the main social aspects and indicators that should be included in the implementation of a circular economy strategy in the context of industry, government, academia and universities, social innovations, and entrepreneurship?
  • What strategies can be implemented to promote the circular economy through new processes, materials, and products?
  • What case studies are successful examples of circularity in the various contexts of human development, such as industry, government, academia and universities, social innovations, and entrepreneurship?

The above questions are examples of topics that may help to increase our understanding of the linkages between the concepts of circular economy and one or more of the following: eco-design, process/product sustainability, eco-efficiency, net-zero emissions, bioeconomy, environmental LCA, social LCA, and recycling strategies. We encourage submissions addressing any of these topics. Original papers, critical reviews, and country reports are also welcome for submission.

Prof. Dr. Julio Sacramento Rivero
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Recycling is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • circular economy
  • LCA
  • life cycle assessment
  • sustainability
  • recycling
  • social impact

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 1422 KiB  
Article
The Integral Management of the Wastewater Treatment Sector in Mexico Using a Circular Economy Approach
by Jesús Adrián Ochoa Garza, Miranda Gómez Urquijo and María Guadalupe Paredes Figueroa
Recycling 2024, 9(5), 84; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling9050084 - 22 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1308
Abstract
Wastewater treatment must be proactive and sustainable to facilitate an increase in the circularity of water. Therefore, the current approach, based on a linear cycle, must be replaced with a circular economy concept that implements strategies to address the different byproducts in the [...] Read more.
Wastewater treatment must be proactive and sustainable to facilitate an increase in the circularity of water. Therefore, the current approach, based on a linear cycle, must be replaced with a circular economy concept that implements strategies to address the different byproducts in the wastewater treatment sector. In recent years, Nuevo León, Mexico, has encountered high water stress levels, with its main water bodies presenting their lowest levels ever recorded. This study was focused on the wastewater treatment plant Monterrey, which treats the largest volume at the state level. Throughout its operation process, it generates different potential byproducts that are yet to be harnessed to fully. This study developed three proposals using a circular economy approach: the treatment of water for the industrial sector, the use of residual sludge as an organic fertilizer, and the cogeneration of energy from biogas. These proposals can potentially generate benefits regarding the three pillars of sustainability, yielding a closed cycle in the wastewater treatment sector at the national level. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability of the Circular Economy)
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20 pages, 717 KiB  
Article
Barriers, Challenges, and Opportunities in the Adoption of the Circular Economy in Mexico: An Analysis through Social Perception
by Alejandro Padilla-Rivera, Magdalena Morales Brizard, Nicolas Merveille and Leonor Patricia Güereca-Hernandez
Recycling 2024, 9(5), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling9050071 - 27 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1556
Abstract
This study explores the transition toward sustainable economic models through the circular economy (CE) in Mexico. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, this research incorporates a comprehensive literature review and analyzes responses from 42 stakeholders, gathered through surveys and focus groups. These stakeholders comprise a [...] Read more.
This study explores the transition toward sustainable economic models through the circular economy (CE) in Mexico. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, this research incorporates a comprehensive literature review and analyzes responses from 42 stakeholders, gathered through surveys and focus groups. These stakeholders comprise a diverse group including PhD students, professors, researchers, industry professionals in sustainability and the environment, and government advisors and coordinators from the Mexican Secretary of Environment. This representative sample provides a broad perspective on the barriers, opportunities, and societal perceptions regarding CE. The findings reveal significant challenges such as economic barriers, regulatory inadequacies, and a lack of awareness and education, all of which hinder the adoption of CE practices. Despite these challenges, there is a generally optimistic view among stakeholders about CE’s potential to positively impact societal needs, suggesting robust opportunities for innovation and policy enhancement to foster sustainable development. Key recommendations include intensifying educational programs to elevate public understanding and engagement, formulating supportive policies that facilitate CE adoption, and promoting intersectoral collaboration to leverage collective expertise and resources. Additionally, the research underscores the necessity of integrating CE principles into urban planning and policy frameworks to effectively address specific local challenges such as waste management, pollution, and urban sprawl. By providing a detailed analysis of the current state and potential of CE in Mexico, this paper contributes valuable insights to the global discourse on sustainability. It proposes strategic actions to overcome existing hurdles and capitalize on opportunities within the CE framework, charting a path forward for Mexico and serving as a model for other regions facing similar sustainability challenges Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability of the Circular Economy)
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18 pages, 5751 KiB  
Article
Adsorption of Eriochrome Black T on Pseudo Boehmite and Gamma Alumina Synthesized from Drinking Water Treatment Sludge: A Waste-to-Recycling Approach
by Ibtissam Ballou, Jamal Naja, Zineelabidine Bakher and Sanae Kholtei
Recycling 2024, 9(3), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling9030049 - 4 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1547
Abstract
Eriochrome black T is considered as one of the anionic dyes with potential harmful effects on human health and the environment. Among other processes, adsorption can contribute to the removal of these dyes. In the present study, two adsorbent materials, pseudo-boehmite (γ-AlOOH) and [...] Read more.
Eriochrome black T is considered as one of the anionic dyes with potential harmful effects on human health and the environment. Among other processes, adsorption can contribute to the removal of these dyes. In the present study, two adsorbent materials, pseudo-boehmite (γ-AlOOH) and gamma alumina (γ-Al2O3), were synthesized and tested in the removal of the Eriochrome black T molecule (EBT). γ-AlOOH and γ-Al2O3 were obtained by precipitation from NaAlO2 solution at pH = 7, at a temperature of 80 °C, and by the thermal transformation of γ-AlOOH at 800 °C, respectively. In order to gain insights into the structural, chemical, thermal and morphological properties of these materials, numerous analytical techniques were involved, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential thermogravimetric–thermal analysis (TGA-DTA), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and specific surface area measurement using the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method. Several adsorption parameters were studied, such as the adsorbent dose, initial concentration, pH, contact time and reaction temperature. The kinetic study showed that EBT adsorption follows the pseudo-second-order model. The Langmuir isotherm model revealed a maximum EBT adsorption capacity of 344.44 mg g−1 and 421.94 mg g−1 for γ-AlOOH and γ-Al2O3, respectively. A textural and structural analysis after adsorption highlighted the effective adsorption of the dye. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability of the Circular Economy)
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Review

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20 pages, 1705 KiB  
Review
Green Roof Systems within the Framework of a Circular Economy: A Scoping Review
by Ana Laura Cervantes-Nájera, María-Concepción Martínez-Rodríguez, Lorena Elizabeth Campos-Villegas, Xochitl Virginia Bello-Yañez and Stephan Brenneisen
Recycling 2024, 9(4), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling9040069 - 19 Aug 2024
Viewed by 3205
Abstract
Green roofs are nature-based solutions with multiple benefits for the urban environment, but they have specific polymeric components in their structure that cause a carbon footprint. This scoping review highlights the technological advance in reusing or recycling alternative materials in green roof structures [...] Read more.
Green roofs are nature-based solutions with multiple benefits for the urban environment, but they have specific polymeric components in their structure that cause a carbon footprint. This scoping review highlights the technological advance in reusing or recycling alternative materials in green roof structures worldwide, making them a part of the circular economy (CE), and the search strategies to promote them to find whether there is a relation between them. The data were collected using the Web of Science from 2012 to 2022; we also used the Bibliometrix package to analyse research development by country and the development of the topic by author’s keywords. We selected 68 open-access articles from twenty-four countries and reviewed the grey literature from the top five productive countries on this topic. Our findings show that CE strategies are performed nationally, while the green roof promotion ones are concentrated at the city level. The theme co-occurrence analysis showed that the substrate is the primary layer used with alternative materials, and the three materials most applied for it are rubber, biochar, and hydrogel. It was found that the primary purpose of optimising green roofs with alternative materials is to increase the ecosystem services they provide and indirectly function within the circular economy; still, there is a gap in estimating the environmental impact of doing this as a potential CE activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability of the Circular Economy)
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Other

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28 pages, 2473 KiB  
Systematic Review
Advancing Toward Sustainability: A Systematic Review of Circular Economy Strategies in the Textile Industry
by Héctor Guadalupe Ramírez-Escamilla, María Concepción Martínez-Rodríguez, Alejandro Padilla-Rivera, Diego Domínguez-Solís and Lorena Elizabeth Campos-Villegas
Recycling 2024, 9(5), 95; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling9050095 - 9 Oct 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 8242
Abstract
The textile industry, fueled by the “fast fashion” phenomenon, contributes significantly to environmental, social, and economic degradation through the rapid turnover of styles, leading to substantial waste as consumers frequently discard garments. This cycle of consumption and production is linked to the social [...] Read more.
The textile industry, fueled by the “fast fashion” phenomenon, contributes significantly to environmental, social, and economic degradation through the rapid turnover of styles, leading to substantial waste as consumers frequently discard garments. This cycle of consumption and production is linked to the social demand added to purchase income, demonstrating the urgent need for sustainable interventions. The main objective of this study is to carry out a systematic review of the literature to identify and critically evaluate circular economy strategies implemented in the textile industry. This study conducted a systematic review of circular economy strategies in the textile industry using the PRISMA methodology. Our search spanned a ten-year period, examining 88 articles, from which 55 were selected as pertinent. The primary strategies identified include reuse, recycling, repair, and reduction, each of which is assessed through environmental, social, and economic lenses. Reuse is crucial for reducing impacts and waste, yet it is hampered by insufficient consumer incentives. Recycling shows promise but is hindered by technological and awareness barriers. Repair contributes to extending the lifespan of garments, thereby reducing the need for new production, although it encounters challenges in terms of service accessibility and consumer knowledge. The reduction involves the search for better and more sustainable materials, with the main barrier being the fast fashion. The findings suggest that reuse is not only economically viable but also capable of lessening social inequality. Recycling, however, necessitates substantial investments and the development of supportive policies. Repair, on the other hand, significantly lessens the environmental impact and can spur new economic opportunities and employment. Despite these hurdles, these strategies present viable pathways toward a more sustainable textile industry. However, achieving this requires a paradigm shift in both consumer behavior and corporate practices to embrace and optimize circular economy practices within the sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability of the Circular Economy)
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