Towards a Circular Economy: Transdisciplinary Approach for Business (CSR, Sustainability, Ethics & Governance)

This volume presents a transdisciplinary approach to implementing a circular economy in international business. Written by global experts, this book provides a detailed and professional focus on issues that must be improved in order to successfully implement a circular economy in a variety of industries. The book begins with a discussion of the theoretical aspects of circular economy and the challenges of going from theory to practice. The following chapters present case studies on the circular economy in different sectors of international business such as food systems, mineral processing, water management, energy process, waste management, the cement industry, and 3D printing. Issues such as the role of SMEs in the circular economy, and the progress towards circular economy 3.0, and strategies for teaching the circular economy are also discussed. The volume ends with a critique of the concept of circular economy and suggestions for future research avenues. Written with multiple stakeholders in mind, this volume will be of interest to researchers and students of economics, sustainability, international business, and management as well as industry professionals and governments working towards establishing a circular economy in their fields and jurisdictions. Preface Contents Editors and Contributors About the Editors Contributo rs About the Authors, Reviewers, Editors, and Their Contributions Part I: Circular Economy: Theory and Practice Chapter 1: Introduction to the Circular Economy 1.1 Toward a Circular World 1.2 Ecological Global Initiatives 1.2.1 Absorb, Anticipate, Reshape 1.2.2 Adaptation Fund 1.2.3 Africa Renewable Energy Initiative 1.2.4 Climate and Clean Air Coalition 1.2.5 Global Environment Facility 1.2.6 GRID-Arendal 1.2.7 International Carbon Action Partnership 1.2.8 International Environmental Technology Centre 1.2.9 Portfolio Decarbonization Coalition 1.2.10 Partnership for Action on Green Economy 1.2.11 UNEP DTU (2019) 1.3 Initiatives on the Circular Economy 1.4 Research Advances on the Circular Economy Based on the Web of Science 1.5 Innovations Related to Circular Economy 1.6 About the Book References Chapter 2: Circular Economy Research: From Theory to Practice 2.1 Circular Economy Foundational Theories 2.1.1 Historical Roots 2.1.2 Management 2.1.3 Economics 2.1.4 Ecology 2.1.5 Design 2.2 Translating Theory to Practice 2.3 Case Studies 2.3.1 Food and Food Waste 2.3.2 Consumer Electronics 2.4 Cross-Cutting Sectoral Challenges 2.5 Closing Remarks References Chapter 3: Conceptualization of Circular Economy 3.0: Synthesizing the 10R Hierarchy of Value Retention Options 3.1 The Circular Economy as an Evolution in Three Phases 3.1.1 CE 1.0 (1970–1990s): Dealing with Waste 3.1.2 CE 2.0 (1990s–2010): Connecting Input and Output in Strategies for Eco-Efficiency 3.1.3 CE 3.0 (2010+): Maximizing Value Retention in the Age of Resource Depletion 3.2 Value Retention Options in CE Literature: From a Cacophonic Conceptualization Towards a Synthesis – The 10R Framework 3.3 Making Sense of Value Retention Options 3.3.1 Shortest Loops: R0–R3 (Refuse, Reduce, Resell/Reuse) 3.3.1.1 Refuse: R0 3.3.1.2 Reduce: R1 3.3.1.3 Resell/Reuse: R2 3.3.1.4 Repair: R3 3.3.2 Medium-Long Loops R4–R6 3.3.2.1 Refurbish: R4 3.3.2.2 Remanufacture: R5 3.3.2.3 Repurpose: R6 3.3.3 Long Loops R7–R9 3.3.3.1 Recycle Materials: R7 3.3.3.2 Recover (Energy): R8 3.3.3.3 Re-Mine (R9) 3.4 The Comprehensiveness of 10R Typology 3.5 Systematic Integration of Value Retention Options: A Visualization 3.6 Conclusion and Reflection References Chapter 4: Working with the New Conceptualization of Circular Economy 3.0: Illustrating the Ten Value Retention Options 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Applying the 10Rs in Market Contexts 4.2.1 Illustrations in the Mobility Sector 4.2.2 Examples in the Clothing Sector 4.2.3 Examples in the Electronics Sector 4.2.4 Overview of the 10R Application per Sector 4.3 Applying the 10Rs for Policymaking and Evaluation 4.3.1 The 10R Framework for Policymaking and Evaluation 4.3.2 The 10R Framework for International Policymaking 4.4 Conclusions 4.5 List of Illustrative Videos References Chapter 5: The Circular Economy: A Critique of the Concept 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Origins and Context 5.3 The Circular Economy in China 5.4 Five-Year Plans 5.4.1 11th Five-Year Plan (2006–2010) 5.4.2 12th Five-Year Plan (2011–2015) 5.4.3 13th Five-Year Plan (2016–2020) 5.4.4 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2026) 5.5 Issues with the Dual Circulation Strategy 5.6 The European Approach 5.7 Indigenous Economics 5.8 The Earth System 5.9 Local and Global Realities 5.10 Conclusions References Part II: Circular Economy: Business Applications Chapter 6: Waste Management and the Circular Economy 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Waste Management and Circularity 6.2.1 Waste of Food 6.2.2 Waste of Water 6.2.3 Organic Waste Management 6.3 Firms Involved in Waste Management 6.4 Closing Remarks References Chapter 7: The Circular Economy and Energy 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Fundamentals of Energy 7.2.1 Energy 7.2.2 Energy Conversion 7.2.3 Energy Use 7.3 Energy and a Circular Economy 7.4 Factors Affecting Energy and a Circular Economy 7.4.1 Reduction of Environmental Impact of Energy Use 7.4.2 Design for Energy Selection 7.4.3 Design for Energy Efficiency 7.4.4 Methods and Technologies for Energy Efficiency 7.4.4.1 High-Efficiency Technologies 7.4.4.2 Technologies Incorporatable into Systems to Enhance Efficiency 7.4.4.3 Methods for Enhanced Efficiency 7.4.5 Use of Exergy Analysis and Other Tools 7.5 Advances and Developments on Energy and a Circular Economy 7.6 Example 7.7 Closing Remarks References Chapter 8: Supply Chain and Circular Economy 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Supplier Standardization 8.2.1 Advantages of Supplier Standardization 8.2.2 Circular Economy Framework 8.3 Contribution of Internet of Things 8.4 Barriers to the Circular Economy in Supply Chain Management 8.4.1 Poor Government Policies 8.4.2 Transportation and Infrastructure Issues 8.4.3 Traceability Issues 8.4.4 Packaging Issues 8.4.5 Lack of Cold Chain 8.5 A Supply Chain Based on Sustainability and the Circular Economy: A Rotterdam Port Case 8.6 Changes to Electric Transportation 8.7 Circular Economy in Maritime Transportation 8.8 Closing Remarks References Chapter 9: Public Policy for Circular Economy: The Case of the National Strategy of Circular Economy in Colombia 9.1 Antecedents of the National Strategy of Circular Economy 9.2 The Process of Developing the National Strategy of Circular Economy 9.3 The Content of the National Strategy of Circular Economy 9.4 Early Advances of National Strategy of Circular Economy 9.5 Lessons Learned 9.6 Conclusions References Chapter 10: Circular Economy as a Mechanism of Resilience Against COVID-19 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Circular Economy Initiatives to Rebuild the World Economies 10.2.1 Closing Remarks References Part III: Teaching and Research on Circular Economy Chapter 11: Limits to Sustainable Development Goals: Discussing Lessons from Case Studies in (Un)sustainable Production 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Sustainable Development Goals in the Context of Circularity 11.3 Application of Cradle to Cradle and Circular Economy 11.4 Degrowth and Steady-State Economy 11.5 The Case Study: Student Assignments 11.5.1 Infinity Towel 11.5.2 Toast Ale 11.6 Discussion: Larger Lessons Learned from Towels and Ale 11.6.1 Closing Remarks References Chapter 12: University Contributions to the Circular Economy 12.1 Circular Economy 12.2 Universities’ Role 12.3 Empirical Evidence 12.4 Limitations and Other Concepts 12.4.1 Closing Remarks References Part IV: National and International Experiences in the Circular Economy Chapter 13: Dissemination of Circular Water Practices in Colombia 13.1 Water as a Primary Resource for Circular Economy 13.2 Circular Water Systems and Integrated Water Management 13.3 Sustainable Enterprises Network (RedES) for the Dissemination of Integrated Water Management Among Firms 13.3.1 Step 1: Organization of Networks of Firms Located in the Watershed 13.3.2 Step 2: Capacity Building for Circular Water Management 13.3.3 Step 3: Formulation of Collaborative Circular Water Management Initiatives 13.3.4 Step 4: Follow-Up on Implementation of Circular Water Management Initiatives 13.4 Impact Indicators Contributing to Water Circularity 13.4.1 Participants 13.4.2 Project Types 13.4.3 Impact Indicators 13.4.4 Contribution to National and Local Strategies 13.5 Lessons Learned 13.6 Conclusions References Chapter 14: The Circular Economy: The United Kingdom 14.1 Introduction 14.2 UK Circular Economy Model 14.2.1 The Clean Growth Strategy 14.2.2 The Opportunities and Challenges 14.2.3 Key Policies and Proposals 14.2.3.1 First Conclusion 14.3 The Industrial Strategy 14.3.1 Second Conclusion 14.4 Waste Policy 14.4.1 Sustainable Production 14.5 Ensuring a Green Brexit 14.5.1 Closing Remarks References Chapter 15: Implementation and Scalability of Circular Practices in the Leather Tanning Industry: Evaluation of a Colombian Tannery 15.1 Introduction 15.2 The Circular Economy in Tanneries 15.3 Case Study of Tanneries in Colombia 15.3.1 Materials Flow Analysis 15.3.2 Technological Innovation 15.3.3 Organizational Viability of Circular Practices 15.3.4 Implementation and Scalability of Circular Practices in the Tannery Industry 15.4 Closing Remarks Annex 1 References Chapter 16: Circular Economy and Recycling in Peru 16.1 Introduction 16.2 Background of the Principles of the Circular Economy in Peru 16.2.1 Principles 16.2.1.1 Eliminate or Avoid the Generation of Waste 16.2.1.2 Keep Products and Materials in Use 16.3 Circular Economy, Segregation, Valorization, and Recyclers in Peru 16.3.1 Legal Aspects 16.3.1.1 Circular Economy 16.3.1.2 Municipal Competitions and Incentive Plan 16.3.1.3 Formalization of Recyclers 16.3.1.4 Solid Waste Segregation and Recovery 16.3.2 Technical and Operational Aspects to Consider in Segregation and Recycling 16.3.2.1 Environmental Education and Awareness 16.3.2.2 Vehicles Used in Selective Collection 16.3.2.3 Recyclable Waste or Waste with Commercial Value 16.3.2.4 Types of Recyclable Waste 16.3.2.5 How to Determine the Recyclability of Waste 16.3.2.6 Segregate for Recycling 16.3.2.7 Waste Prices 16.3.2.8 Transformation of Recyclable Waste 16.3.2.9 Agreements and Forms of Payment 16.3.2.10 Types of Nonrecyclable Waste 16.3.2.11 Corporate Responsibility 16.3.2.12 Second-Hand Equipment or Artifacts 16.4 New Upcycling Technologies 16.5 Closing Remarks References Chapter 17: X Economies: Towards Comprehensive Policy Intelligence Among Economy Visions and Practices in Europe and Latin America 17.1 Introduction 17.2 Review of X Economies: Definitions and Status in Europe and Latin America 17.2.1 Circular Economy 17.2.2 Blue Economy 17.2.3 Collaborative Economy 17.2.4 Digital Economy 17.2.5 Feminist Economy 17.2.6 Social Economy 17.3 Data and Methodology 17.3.1 Data 17.3.2 Methodology 17.4 Findings and Analysis 17.4.1 Interactions Among X Economies 17.4.1.1 Circular Economy x Blue Economy 17.4.1.2 Circular Economy x Social Economy 17.4.1.3 Circular Economy x Collaborative Economy 17.4.1.4 Collaborative Economy x Digital Economy 17.4.1.5 Digital Economy x Feminist Economy 17.4.2 Overall Score 17.4.2.1 Results 17.4.2.2 External Validity 17.5 Results and Implications 17.6 Concluding Remarks and Future Research Directions Appendix 1: Interactions Keywords Matching Example Appendix 2: Index Methodology Appendix 3: Weighting Appendix 4 References Chapter 18: Globalization and Circular Economy 18.1 Why Globalization? 18.2 The Circular Economy in a Globalized World 18.3 How Did the Circular Economy Originate? 18.4 Globalization, the Coronavirus, and the Circular Economy 18.5 Closing Remarks References Chapter 19: Closing Remarks Index