Pub Date : 2023-11-06DOI: 10.1007/s43615-023-00315-9
Tawanda Collins Muzamwese
Abstract Despite the formulation of policy frameworks and awareness on hazardous chemical management, practical implementation at organisational level remains a challenge in Zimbabwe. Participation in inter-organisational networks has been shown to have a catalytic role in some contexts. Sustainable business networks such as the Business Council for Sustainable Development Zimbabwe (BCSDZ) have undertaken programmes to promote safe chemical management and chemical leasing. This research paper assesses the effects of sustainable business networks on circular economy (CE) through implementation of safe chemical management and chemical leasing programmes in Zimbabwe. The research paper is based on forty (40) companies drawn from the industrial, manufacturing and mining sectors in Zimbabwe. A total of 50% of the companies assessed were selected because they participated in the safe chemical management programme called responsible production toolkit training and chemical leasing training during the period of 2018 to 2023, whilst the other 50% selected were not participants in any chemical management initiative to provide a comparison group to enable causal inferences. The study employed direct observation of chemical management practices, interviews with key informants and content analysis. Barriers and challenges identified included high chemical intensity, higher proportion of chemical accidents, inadequate provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), lack of clear policies on chemical management, lack of adequate technical capacity on chemical management, use of foreign languages in some material safety data sheets (MSDS), incompatible chemical storage practices, lack of proper labelling of chemicals, inadequate implementation of chemical compatibility charts and inadequate documentation of successful case studies. Implementation of chemical risk assessment increased from 20 to 70% due to network participation. Chemical inventorying implementation increased from 15 to 50% amongst firms that participated in safe chemical management programmes. Chemical labelling practices increased from 55 to 85% due to increased participation in network-induced chemical management programmes. Chemical leasing implementation remained largely unchanged even with access to training. We conclude that network participation enhanced chemical management practices due to the implementation of the responsible production toolkit. However, the impact of network participation on adoption of chemical leasing is low in Zimbabwe due to external contextual factors such as policy, perception, legal and financial barriers.
{"title":"Effects of Sustainable Business Networks on the Environmentally Sound Management of Chemicals in Zimbabwe","authors":"Tawanda Collins Muzamwese","doi":"10.1007/s43615-023-00315-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-023-00315-9","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Despite the formulation of policy frameworks and awareness on hazardous chemical management, practical implementation at organisational level remains a challenge in Zimbabwe. Participation in inter-organisational networks has been shown to have a catalytic role in some contexts. Sustainable business networks such as the Business Council for Sustainable Development Zimbabwe (BCSDZ) have undertaken programmes to promote safe chemical management and chemical leasing. This research paper assesses the effects of sustainable business networks on circular economy (CE) through implementation of safe chemical management and chemical leasing programmes in Zimbabwe. The research paper is based on forty (40) companies drawn from the industrial, manufacturing and mining sectors in Zimbabwe. A total of 50% of the companies assessed were selected because they participated in the safe chemical management programme called responsible production toolkit training and chemical leasing training during the period of 2018 to 2023, whilst the other 50% selected were not participants in any chemical management initiative to provide a comparison group to enable causal inferences. The study employed direct observation of chemical management practices, interviews with key informants and content analysis. Barriers and challenges identified included high chemical intensity, higher proportion of chemical accidents, inadequate provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), lack of clear policies on chemical management, lack of adequate technical capacity on chemical management, use of foreign languages in some material safety data sheets (MSDS), incompatible chemical storage practices, lack of proper labelling of chemicals, inadequate implementation of chemical compatibility charts and inadequate documentation of successful case studies. Implementation of chemical risk assessment increased from 20 to 70% due to network participation. Chemical inventorying implementation increased from 15 to 50% amongst firms that participated in safe chemical management programmes. Chemical labelling practices increased from 55 to 85% due to increased participation in network-induced chemical management programmes. Chemical leasing implementation remained largely unchanged even with access to training. We conclude that network participation enhanced chemical management practices due to the implementation of the responsible production toolkit. However, the impact of network participation on adoption of chemical leasing is low in Zimbabwe due to external contextual factors such as policy, perception, legal and financial barriers.","PeriodicalId":72595,"journal":{"name":"Circular economy and sustainability","volume":"46 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135634421","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-10-31DOI: 10.1007/s43615-023-00314-w
Fedra Vanhuyse
Abstract While several studies have been undertaken to understand the circular economy (CE) in cities, there needs to be a comprehensive framework acknowledging why certain decisions related to the CE have been taken. This paper proposes a framework building on literature reviews on circular cities and engagements with cities. Our research objectives are to improve how the CE is understood at the city level; and support the planning, monitoring, evaluation, and learning on the CE at the city level. Our framework locates urban CE strategies and visions, biophysical and socio-economic urban stocks and flows, and institutional arrangements within the triple bottom line concept and conceptualises how they interact. Our case studies with two cities provide insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the cities’ CE approaches. It can help identify priority interventions.
{"title":"The Urban Circularity Assessment Framework (UCAF): a Framework for Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning from CE Transitions in Cities","authors":"Fedra Vanhuyse","doi":"10.1007/s43615-023-00314-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-023-00314-w","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract While several studies have been undertaken to understand the circular economy (CE) in cities, there needs to be a comprehensive framework acknowledging why certain decisions related to the CE have been taken. This paper proposes a framework building on literature reviews on circular cities and engagements with cities. Our research objectives are to improve how the CE is understood at the city level; and support the planning, monitoring, evaluation, and learning on the CE at the city level. Our framework locates urban CE strategies and visions, biophysical and socio-economic urban stocks and flows, and institutional arrangements within the triple bottom line concept and conceptualises how they interact. Our case studies with two cities provide insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the cities’ CE approaches. It can help identify priority interventions.","PeriodicalId":72595,"journal":{"name":"Circular economy and sustainability","volume":"17 3","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135814525","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-10-27DOI: 10.1007/s43615-023-00319-5
Olga Rataj, Serdar Türkeli
Abstract This paper sheds light on sustainability transitions in emerging markets and developing economies by analysing success factors for scaling up and raising investment by circular entrepreneurs with the use of qualitative comparative analysis (QCA). A systemic approach is adopted including internal, external, and contextual conditions. The paper provides both a theoretical contribution, in that a conceptual model of different relevant factors is presented as well as empirical validation based on a broad range of data distilled from surveys filled in by 33 entrepreneurs supported by three international projects, i.e. two by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (Global Cleantech Innovation Programme and Private Financing Advisory Network) and one by Climate-KIC (Climate Launchpad). While three different relevant combinations of conditions have been identified for scaling up, there is no conclusive evidence of success factors for raising investment, and therefore, further conceptual and empirical work is recommended in this field.
{"title":"Success Factors for Scaling Up and Raising Investment by Circular Entrepreneurs in Emerging Markets and Developing Economies","authors":"Olga Rataj, Serdar Türkeli","doi":"10.1007/s43615-023-00319-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-023-00319-5","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract This paper sheds light on sustainability transitions in emerging markets and developing economies by analysing success factors for scaling up and raising investment by circular entrepreneurs with the use of qualitative comparative analysis (QCA). A systemic approach is adopted including internal, external, and contextual conditions. The paper provides both a theoretical contribution, in that a conceptual model of different relevant factors is presented as well as empirical validation based on a broad range of data distilled from surveys filled in by 33 entrepreneurs supported by three international projects, i.e. two by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (Global Cleantech Innovation Programme and Private Financing Advisory Network) and one by Climate-KIC (Climate Launchpad). While three different relevant combinations of conditions have been identified for scaling up, there is no conclusive evidence of success factors for raising investment, and therefore, further conceptual and empirical work is recommended in this field.","PeriodicalId":72595,"journal":{"name":"Circular economy and sustainability","volume":"39 10","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136261648","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-10-17DOI: 10.1007/s43615-023-00312-y
Sukriti Singh, Nehil Shreyash, Venkateswara R. Kode, Xianghong Qian, S. Ranil Wickramasinghe
{"title":"Review of Separation and Purification of Biobased Derivatives Produced from Food Waste for Industrial Use","authors":"Sukriti Singh, Nehil Shreyash, Venkateswara R. Kode, Xianghong Qian, S. Ranil Wickramasinghe","doi":"10.1007/s43615-023-00312-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-023-00312-y","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":72595,"journal":{"name":"Circular economy and sustainability","volume":"127 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135944009","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-10-12DOI: 10.1007/s43615-023-00310-0
Gopal Bhukya, Sridhar Pilli, Sumanth Chinthala, R. D. Tyagi
{"title":"Pre-Treated Crude Glycerol a Valuable Green Energy Source in the Era of Circular Bioeconomy—a Review","authors":"Gopal Bhukya, Sridhar Pilli, Sumanth Chinthala, R. D. Tyagi","doi":"10.1007/s43615-023-00310-0","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-023-00310-0","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":72595,"journal":{"name":"Circular economy and sustainability","volume":"24 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135967959","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Abstract In recent years, the growing popularity of plastic materials made from renewable biomass sources has prompted research on stakeholder views. This is because the circularity and decoupling credentials producing such materials can be substantial but also bring to the forefront pressing questions around public receptiveness and support. To this regard, primary research on public views towards this broad class of materials derived from bio-based sources remains sparse, highlighting a topic that requires further attention and examination across national terrains. In this research note, we focus on Greece and draw from semi-structured interviews with consumers and representatives of other key stakeholders to shed light on awareness, perceptions, attitudes, concerns and viewpoints on bioplastics. The preliminary findings indicate and further confirm issues that warrant the consideration of companies’ product development departments and offer insights in refining product presentation in the marketplace by informing marketing and communication activities. Likewise, these findings can feed into education or awareness-raising campaigns and programmes for the functional features, the terminology, the potential benefits and the proper disposal criteria of plastic products made from biogenic raw materials. Studies such as ours pave the way for a better understanding of how primary and secondary stakeholders perceive such bio-based interventions in the production system and shed light on evaluations, knowledge gaps and expectations affecting intentions to support relevant research-and-innovation outputs in the value chain. While we do not consider the study to be fully representative of the Greek population, insights drawn from the interviews do contribute to the body of knowledge encompassing stakeholders’ views which can inform the development of the industry.
{"title":"Notes from the Field: Public Views on Bioplastics-Findings from Greece","authors":"Antonis Skouloudis, Chrysovalantis Malesios, Demetris-Francis Lekkas","doi":"10.1007/s43615-023-00307-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-023-00307-9","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract In recent years, the growing popularity of plastic materials made from renewable biomass sources has prompted research on stakeholder views. This is because the circularity and decoupling credentials producing such materials can be substantial but also bring to the forefront pressing questions around public receptiveness and support. To this regard, primary research on public views towards this broad class of materials derived from bio-based sources remains sparse, highlighting a topic that requires further attention and examination across national terrains. In this research note, we focus on Greece and draw from semi-structured interviews with consumers and representatives of other key stakeholders to shed light on awareness, perceptions, attitudes, concerns and viewpoints on bioplastics. The preliminary findings indicate and further confirm issues that warrant the consideration of companies’ product development departments and offer insights in refining product presentation in the marketplace by informing marketing and communication activities. Likewise, these findings can feed into education or awareness-raising campaigns and programmes for the functional features, the terminology, the potential benefits and the proper disposal criteria of plastic products made from biogenic raw materials. Studies such as ours pave the way for a better understanding of how primary and secondary stakeholders perceive such bio-based interventions in the production system and shed light on evaluations, knowledge gaps and expectations affecting intentions to support relevant research-and-innovation outputs in the value chain. While we do not consider the study to be fully representative of the Greek population, insights drawn from the interviews do contribute to the body of knowledge encompassing stakeholders’ views which can inform the development of the industry.","PeriodicalId":72595,"journal":{"name":"Circular economy and sustainability","volume":"49 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135347292","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-10-04DOI: 10.1007/s43615-023-00304-y
Maja van der Velden, Eléonore Maitre-Ekern, Deborah Katland Wanja
Abstract The focus on the transition to a circular economy has contributed to a growing research interest in repair. This paper investigates the role of independent repair, which consists of individuals, organisations, or businesses engaged in the repair of products without formal authorisation of the brand owners of these products. Repair—and independent repair in particular—is critical in achieving a paradigm shift that is anchored in regenerative sustainability. Especially in the electrical and electronics equipment sector, independent repair is challenged by difficult or expensive access to spare parts and repair information. This paper focuses on the independent electronics repair sector in Oslo. We implemented twenty-five semi-structured interviews with repairers working in commercial independent repair shops, focusing on challenges and opportunities in independent repair. They repaired a wide variety of products: mobile phones, desktop computers, laptops, tablets, cameras, printers, e-mobility batteries, remote-controlled cars, drones, and white goods. The thematic analysis of the interviews revealed three main findings. The independent repair sector employs different business models and strategies to tackle the challenges related to accessing affordable and quality spare parts. Secondly, independent repair fills the gap between expensive authorised repair, mostly covered by warranty or insurance, and discarding a broken product. Thirdly, independent repair has contributed to a circular spare part economy, both locally and on a global level. In the discussion, we address how repair can be understood as a regenerative practice, as well as how policy and regulation of repair, both on an EU and national level, supports or undermines independent repair.
{"title":"The Role of Independent Repair in a Circular and Regenerative Economy","authors":"Maja van der Velden, Eléonore Maitre-Ekern, Deborah Katland Wanja","doi":"10.1007/s43615-023-00304-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-023-00304-y","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The focus on the transition to a circular economy has contributed to a growing research interest in repair. This paper investigates the role of independent repair, which consists of individuals, organisations, or businesses engaged in the repair of products without formal authorisation of the brand owners of these products. Repair—and independent repair in particular—is critical in achieving a paradigm shift that is anchored in regenerative sustainability. Especially in the electrical and electronics equipment sector, independent repair is challenged by difficult or expensive access to spare parts and repair information. This paper focuses on the independent electronics repair sector in Oslo. We implemented twenty-five semi-structured interviews with repairers working in commercial independent repair shops, focusing on challenges and opportunities in independent repair. They repaired a wide variety of products: mobile phones, desktop computers, laptops, tablets, cameras, printers, e-mobility batteries, remote-controlled cars, drones, and white goods. The thematic analysis of the interviews revealed three main findings. The independent repair sector employs different business models and strategies to tackle the challenges related to accessing affordable and quality spare parts. Secondly, independent repair fills the gap between expensive authorised repair, mostly covered by warranty or insurance, and discarding a broken product. Thirdly, independent repair has contributed to a circular spare part economy, both locally and on a global level. In the discussion, we address how repair can be understood as a regenerative practice, as well as how policy and regulation of repair, both on an EU and national level, supports or undermines independent repair.","PeriodicalId":72595,"journal":{"name":"Circular economy and sustainability","volume":"29 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135592202","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-09-30DOI: 10.1007/s43615-023-00309-7
Fred de Jong, Koos Wagensveld
Abstract The financial industry can play a significant role in reaching the sustainability goals. But there is a lack of attention to the part financial advisors can or should play. By advising SMEs on sustainability, financial advisors are in the position to make a large impact. To do that, financial advisors must not only advise on creating financial value but also on social and ecological value. By advising on creating multiple value and applying integrated thinking, financial advisors can provide sustainable financial advice to SMEs. And because of the large and diverse number of financial advisors for SMEs, they can make a difference in helping SMEs to become more sustainable. This article focuses on the role financial advisors can play and the impact they can make for SMEs in their challenge to become more sustainable. By combining theory on the value of advice, multiple value creation, and integrated thinking, specifically related to the challenges of SMEs on sustainability, the result is a definition of sustainable financial advice to stimulate the debate on the specific role of financial advisors in reaching the sustainability goals worldwide. Sustainable financial advice is financial advice with integrated thinking about multiple value creation with the aim to reach the sustainability goals.
{"title":"Sustainable Financial Advice for SMEs","authors":"Fred de Jong, Koos Wagensveld","doi":"10.1007/s43615-023-00309-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-023-00309-7","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The financial industry can play a significant role in reaching the sustainability goals. But there is a lack of attention to the part financial advisors can or should play. By advising SMEs on sustainability, financial advisors are in the position to make a large impact. To do that, financial advisors must not only advise on creating financial value but also on social and ecological value. By advising on creating multiple value and applying integrated thinking, financial advisors can provide sustainable financial advice to SMEs. And because of the large and diverse number of financial advisors for SMEs, they can make a difference in helping SMEs to become more sustainable. This article focuses on the role financial advisors can play and the impact they can make for SMEs in their challenge to become more sustainable. By combining theory on the value of advice, multiple value creation, and integrated thinking, specifically related to the challenges of SMEs on sustainability, the result is a definition of sustainable financial advice to stimulate the debate on the specific role of financial advisors in reaching the sustainability goals worldwide. Sustainable financial advice is financial advice with integrated thinking about multiple value creation with the aim to reach the sustainability goals.","PeriodicalId":72595,"journal":{"name":"Circular economy and sustainability","volume":"67 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136277876","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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