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Circular Economy Models and Applications for Sustainability

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Bioeconomy of Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 October 2023) | Viewed by 2144

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Industrial and Production Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
Interests: artificial intelligence and machine learning; operations management; operations research and decision analysis; supply chain management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, Krishnankoil 626126, Tamil Nadu, India
Interests: production planning; circular economy; operations management; inventory; manufacturing systems; MCDM; green supply chain management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Circular business models reduce the exploitation and use of natural resources, as well as the production of residential and business waste. Circularity mitigates the consequences of such wastes by prioritising material recovery over material production. Moreover, a circular economy (CE) has the potential to protect a vulnerable environment, promote social equity, and accelerate sustainable economic growth. The three essential steps to building a circular business model are retaining product ownership, increasing product useful life, and designing products for recycling. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member countries practice a restorative approach to manufacturing and consumption, which includes rethinking, recovering, and reusing items and resources to reduce their environmental impact. Essentially, a CE requires the creation of markets that encourage the recycling of goods as opposed to their disposal and further resource extraction. All types of waste, especially discarded garments, metal products, and outdated technology, are repurposed or put to more efficient use in such economies.

In addition to the controversial claim that a circular economy will tackle the issues of waste, resource depletion, and climate change, its proponents also make promises about employment and economic growth. Using the circular economy in any firm requires careful selection. Therefore, regardless of the industry type or the goods or materials produced, a business should be able to select and maximize its key products and resources by successfully reusing, recycling, and transferring them.  A circular bio-economy decreases waste and pollution, such as plastics in the ocean, and uses less non-renewable resources, so it is better for the environment. Based on the biomass they create, a circular bio-economy also strengthens rural communities through new business opportunities and investment. Due to supply chain issues, a lack of investment incentives, complicated recycling procedures, and a lack of knowledge on how to enable involvement in reusing, recycling, and remanufacturing processes, industries are hesitant to implement the circular economy model.

Prof. Dr. Syed Mithun Ali
Dr. Bathrinath Sankaranarayanan
Dr. Usama Awan
Dr. Niamat Ullah Ibne Hossain
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • sustainable circular economy
  • circular bio-economy
  • environmental impact assessment
  • zero wastage
  • socio-economic impacts
  • sustainability indicators
  • ecological indicators
  • policies and incentives

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

17 pages, 1585 KiB  
Review
Impact of Circular Bioeconomy on Industry’s Sustainable Performance: A Critical Literature Review and Future Research Directions Analysis
by Koppiahraj Karuppiah, Bathrinath Sankaranarayanan, Syed Mithun Ali and Ernesto D. R. Santibanez Gonzalez
Sustainability 2023, 15(14), 10759; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151410759 - 8 Jul 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1459
Abstract
The circular bioeconomy (CBE) practice concept has demonstrated its capability in improving the industry’s performance. However, the impact of CBE practice on sustainable industrial performance is less analysed due to a poor understanding of the connection between CBE practice and sustainability. This study [...] Read more.
The circular bioeconomy (CBE) practice concept has demonstrated its capability in improving the industry’s performance. However, the impact of CBE practice on sustainable industrial performance is less analysed due to a poor understanding of the connection between CBE practice and sustainability. This study aims to carry out a systematic literature review (SLR) to understand whether CBE practice has improved the industry’s sustainable performance. Also, this study aims to expose the industries that are less covered under the CBE practice concept. An SLR has been performed to identify peer-reviewed articles that evaluate the impact of CBE practice in industry’s sustainable performance. A total of 38 articles published between 2015 and 2021 were subjected to descriptive and content analysis to arrive at new findings, research gaps, and future research directions. The descriptive analysis revealed that most of the articles reviewed were focused on agro-based industries and developed countries. The content analysis highlights that the lack of understanding, limited technological and financial support, and a well-established reverse supply chain network restrict industries from adopting CBE practice. To improve CBE acceptance, technological assistance and a well-established supply chain network are required. This study contributes significantly to the literature by providing better insights into CBE practice. Unlike earlier studies which mainly emphasise the positive side, this study reveals the challenges faced by the industries in adopting CBE practice. Also, this study interprets the synergy between CBE practice and sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circular Economy Models and Applications for Sustainability)
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