Sociomaterial Networks for a Systemic Circular Economy Transition In An Intermediate Global South City

Abstract

Section snippets

Methods

Using qualitative research for understanding the sociomaterial network, case studies have been shown to be an adequate tool for theoretical sampling (Eisenhardt & Graebner, 2007). Even though the research team had built rapport with the waste picker community since 2011 (Solíz, 2014), it had limited traction with other actors in the city. The intention of this study was to broaden the scope of the work from recycling to a CE. This research was performed during multiple visits lasting a total of

Results

The abductive process led to a focus on the material value informing social interactions and the relationships among actors defining material exchanges. Then we explored the practices and expectations among them. These results will be later discussed with a systemic thinking perspective adding the policy context, power dynamics and the mental model implications.

Empirical contributions

The constant variation in the economic value of recyclable material associated with the commodity market and the lack of transparency to the whole network end up affecting the most vulnerable, waste pickers, but also municipal waste workers and citizens paying with taxes for the burden of excess material that ends up being buried. Furthermore, even though recycling has been deemed one of the least favorable of the CE strategies, there are thermodynamic limits to all the other strategies in

Conclusion

The sociomaterial material interaction points in the intermediate city of Portoviejo provide an example of the relevance of a systemic assessment of the material value, the relationships and roles that need to be taken up in the transition to a CE. Strengthening current relationships and connecting ignored actors into the network will be crucial to guarantee an inclusive CE that also provides new value to the management of materials in a volatile market. Intermediate cities in the Global South,

Uncited reference

Hollander et al., 2017; Hansen, 2000; INEC, 2022; Wetengere, 2018.

Declaration of Competing Interest

The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Melanie Valencia, Marc Craps, Milena Yepez and María Fernanda Solíz report financial support was provided by VLIR-UOS.

Acknowledgements

This research was funded through Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar and VLIR-UOS Team project EC2018TEA460A101.