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Deconstructing and Reconstructing the Circular Economy through Practice-Based Approaches

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2022) | Viewed by 28102

Special Issue Editors


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Assistant Guest Editor
Research Centre for Business in Society, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
Interests: circular economy; sustainability; life-cycle analysis; reverse logistics

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Assistant Guest Editor
Centre for Business in Society, Coventry University, Priory St, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
Interests: urban change, café/coffee shop industry, ecircular economy; coffee; labour markets; sustainability
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Chief Guest Editor
Research Centre for Business in Society, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
Interests: sustainability; ethical trade; horticulture; supply chains; alternative good networks

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The evidence base indicating that human activity is generating a global climate emergency and ecological breakdown is growing inexorably. Therefore, policy-makers, their advisers and commercial actors are being increasingly forced to confront these challenges and to adopt approaches which offer pathways to a more sustainable future. The Circular Economy (CE) concept has rapidly emerged as a favoured prescription, offering a seemingly bounded overarching concept providing clear pathways for action. CE has become a form of proxy brand promoted by multi-lateral organisations, governments and individual firms, who seek to adhere to the imperative to adopt behaviours based on an ever-increasing number of Rs (reduce, recycle, re-use etc.). Products can even be certified and labelled to indicate their compliance with CE principles. Such efforts to normalise “closing the loop” are to be applauded, and CE is viewed in some quarters as a radical concept. Yet, there are concerns about the boundaries within which CE operates. As Corvellac et al. (2020, p.97) point out, “CE, in its hegemonic variety, is a child of the less than radical neo-classic economic theory and ecological modernisation paradigm”. In practice this means, inter alia, that the environment is still viewed first and foremost as a resource and that socio-economic dimensions of sustainability are relegated or even neglected.

This Special Issue seeks to contribute to the expanding literature on circular economy by inviting contributions which not only deconstruct CE but which also seek to reconstruct it by offering progressive visions of policy and practice. Practice-based research offering constructive critiques, especially in terms of ways that CE can be meaningfully integrated as a “strong” form of sustainability, will be especially welcome. Furthermore, reflections upon the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic upon the implementation and uptake of CE practices are also sought, as is work that considers how, and indeed if, CE can be a meaningful contributor to more sustainable futures within the peripheries of the mainstream capitalist economy.

Dr. David Bek
Prof. Benny Tjahjono
Dr. Jennifer Ferriera
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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. Sustainability 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 2400 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
  • closed loop
  • strong sustainability
  • supply chain
  • SDGs
  • green economy
  • COVID-19
  • practice-based
  • certification

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 1579 KiB  
Article
The Circular Economy Transformation of Airports: An Alternative Model for Retail Waste Management
by Michelle Tjahjono, Enes Ünal and Trung Hieu Tran
Sustainability 2023, 15(4), 3860; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043860 - 20 Feb 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4297
Abstract
Airport terminals worldwide generate approximately 6 million tons of passenger waste annually. Increased awareness of climate change and global interventions for environmental sustainability requires a reassessment of airports’ current methods of waste management. This paper proposes a new design concept solution called circular [...] Read more.
Airport terminals worldwide generate approximately 6 million tons of passenger waste annually. Increased awareness of climate change and global interventions for environmental sustainability requires a reassessment of airports’ current methods of waste management. This paper proposes a new design concept solution called circular airport retail waste management (CAWM) for airport terminal retail waste processing, which aims to reduce and ideally eliminate airport waste ending up in landfill or incineration. Given the need for novelty and challenging the status-quo, the double diamond design process was adopted as the research method. The research began by collating the current practices of retail waste processing in airports via a literature review and field observations. Secondly, a critical analysis of the current processes was conducted to identify the intervention points. Thirdly, a concept solution was developed based on the circular economy (CE) 9R framework. Finally, the CAWM concept was delivered to airport waste management personnel for review. CAWM offers a structured way of airport retail waste management practices, including the segregation of nonrecyclable and recyclable waste (i.e., different bin designs, color coding, harmonization of waste colors, improved instructions and signage, various bin locations, training, and installing more liquid disposal and donation stations). Airports can leverage CAWM for greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness regarding airport terminal waste processing, such that more waste can be diverted from incineration and landfill to recovery, which will subsequently help airports achieve net-zero targets. This research contributes to the extant CE literature, especially in the aviation industry context, where the academic discourse surrounding this subject and its peculiarities are limited. Full article
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14 pages, 2052 KiB  
Article
The Analysis of the Conceptual Framework of Green Port Implementation in Indonesia Using Circular Economy: The Case Study of Benoa Public and Fishing Terminals
by Raja Oloan Saut Gurning and Daniel Imanuel Tangkau
Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6083; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106083 - 17 May 2022
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3802
Abstract
Several public seaports and fishing terminals are located in the same port complex but have different fragmented operations such as waste management. It is possible to provide a new initiative to ensure sustainability for all entities in the surrounding port ecosystem through the [...] Read more.
Several public seaports and fishing terminals are located in the same port complex but have different fragmented operations such as waste management. It is possible to provide a new initiative to ensure sustainability for all entities in the surrounding port ecosystem through the application of Green Port using the circular economy approach and mixed linear programming model. Therefore, this study aims to explore the collaborative management of waste generated from different port activities such as the operators of the public seaport, fishing terminal, and a city authority in Bali–Indonesia using circular economy principles. It was discovered that the integration model has the potential to generate new energy by recycling waste from all related entities in the production of a few main fishing products such as tuna, sardine, and squid, as well as vessel traffic, facilities, and cargo flow interactions in addition to other port operations. Full article
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21 pages, 1492 KiB  
Article
Sustainability Performance Management Framework for Circular Economy Implementation in State-Owned Plantation Enterprises
by Erlin Trisyulianti, Budhi Prihartono, Made Andriani and Kadarsah Suryadi
Sustainability 2022, 14(1), 482; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010482 - 3 Jan 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 5701
Abstract
The circular economy concept needs to be part of the performance management system so that it is in line with a company’s vision and mission. Thus, the circular economy will play an important role at the operational level of companies. The circular economy [...] Read more.
The circular economy concept needs to be part of the performance management system so that it is in line with a company’s vision and mission. Thus, the circular economy will play an important role at the operational level of companies. The circular economy needs to be internalized, starting by formulating the company’s vision and mission, establishing strategic objectives and performance indicators, and creating resource allocation policies. This research aims to design a sustainable performance management system in the context of a circular economy for state-owned plantation enterprises (SOPEs). This study used a qualitative research coding method that was validated in three SOPEs in Indonesia. Validation was performed by comparing the framework based on the conceptual formulation with the data and information obtained during field assessment. Primary data came from interviews with 15 managers, while secondary data came from official company documents. The research results show that the initial framework that was built is in accordance with the results of the exploration of the circular economy strategic objectives in the three SOPEs. The results of the 100 percent validation and perception test of managers on the range of values are important. Therefore, the proposed framework can be used in SOPE. Full article
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19 pages, 2141 KiB  
Article
A Cause and Effect Model for Digital Sustainable Supply Chain Competitiveness under Uncertainties: Enhancing Digital Platform
by Ming-Lang Tseng, Tat-Dat Bui, Ming K. Lim and Stephen Lewi
Sustainability 2021, 13(18), 10150; https://doi.org/10.3390/su131810150 - 10 Sep 2021
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4250
Abstract
This study provides insights into digitalization in sustainable supply chain management by establishing a structural set of attributes with causal interrelationships among them, as well as by reporting empirical findings on successful criteria for footwear supply chain practices in Indonesia. Sustainable supply chain [...] Read more.
This study provides insights into digitalization in sustainable supply chain management by establishing a structural set of attributes with causal interrelationships among them, as well as by reporting empirical findings on successful criteria for footwear supply chain practices in Indonesia. Sustainable supply chain management and digitalization are mutual benefits. However, there are unclear cause and effect interrelationships. This study aims to critically pinpoint digitalization to approach sustainability and is designed to help firms achieve supply chain competitiveness. The fuzzy Delphi method and fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory are utilized, due to the fuzziness associated with human decision making and the complexity and uncertainty in the supply chain. Five aspects and seventeen criteria are validated. The findings indicate that four aspects, including digital platform effectiveness, digital communication belonging to the supply chain digitalization perspective, labour conditions, and manufacturing processes, are important to sustainable supply chain management. The top causal criteria, including logistics integration, logistics optimization, delivery speed, proactive action, and real-time inventory, are considered to assist firms in implementing better practices. Full article
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Review

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23 pages, 1883 KiB  
Review
Barriers and Enablers of Circular Economy Implementation for Electric-Vehicle Batteries: From Systematic Literature Review to Conceptual Framework
by Bertha Maya Sopha, Dwi Megah Purnamasari and Sholeh Ma’mun
Sustainability 2022, 14(10), 6359; https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106359 - 23 May 2022
Cited by 42 | Viewed by 7836
Abstract
With the burgeoning transition toward electrified automobile fleets, electric-vehicle batteries (EVBs) have become one of the critical aspects to be considered to avoid resources issues while achieving necessary climate goals. This paper compiles and syntheses reported barriers, enablers, involved stakeholders, and business models [...] Read more.
With the burgeoning transition toward electrified automobile fleets, electric-vehicle batteries (EVBs) have become one of the critical aspects to be considered to avoid resources issues while achieving necessary climate goals. This paper compiles and syntheses reported barriers, enablers, involved stakeholders, and business models of Circular Economy (CE) implementation of the EVBs based on a systematic literature review (SLR). Findings indicate that inefficient and inadequate government policy, lack of safety standards, and high recycling costs are the three most reported barriers. The barriers have interconnections with each other, implying the necessity for simultaneous strategies. Based on the barriers-enablers analysis, the key strategies establishing the CE for the EVBs are innovative business models, economic incentives, EVB standards, legal environmental responsibilities, and certification, whereas the optimized supply-chain operations can be realized through eco-design of the EVBs, battery modularization, proper technology for checking, diagnosing, tracking, information sharing, extensive collaboration, alignment of supply-chain stakeholders, innovative business model, and certification. A conceptual framework presenting the required strategies for both establishing the CE and optimizing the circular supply chain system of the EVBs was then proposed. Potential future research directions are also discussed. Full article
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