Circular economy (CE) is extensively discussed around the globe. Presently, discussions are mostly concerned with the importance of achieving CE and the benefits associated therewith, with the various barriers surrounding its implementation being less debated. Understanding the context in which circularity can flourish is a prerequisite in building the capabilities to deal with the multi-faceted challenges that currently hamper progress in closing the material, component and product loops. In this study, we discuss the importance of systems thinking in understanding the way resource recovery systems operate, and in promoting deep transformational change. We suggest that transformational change needs to go beyond closing materials, components and products (MCPs) loops, and promote sustainability in the way resources are exploited, used and managed throughout the system. By adopting a system of systems approach, we postulate that there are five interconnected sub-systems that need to be considered for supporting transitions to CE, namely, resource flows and provisioning service; governance, regulatory framework and political landscape; business activities and the marker; infrastructure and innovation; and user practices. This holistic approach provides a useful means to cutting through systemic complexity, and focuses on the dynamics between processes, values and actors in the value chain, and their dependence on cultural, spatial and temporal characteristics. We conclude that a systems-based approach can build up the capabilities required to identify and understand persistent linear trends and, in turn, support forward-thinking and time investment in enabling sustainable transitions. This, in turn, can help to align priorities and transform our current practices, speeding up the process of closing the MCP loops in a sustainable manner.

/pdf/a-systems-thinking-approach-to-understanding-the-challenges-2qgpkvmdmc.pdf

A systems thinking approach to understanding the challenges of achieving the circular economy

Circular economy and innovation: A look from the perspective of organizational capabilities

Clarifying rebound effects of the circular economy in the context of sustainable cities

The concept of circular economy (CE) offers an innovative and systematical approach to address a number of urban sustainability issues, via exploring symbiotic ways to design circular urban systems and optimizing the materials and energy metabolism of cities, so as to mitigate environmental footprints. Urban sustainability is highlighted as a critical issue in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by United Nations; hence, in nature, circular economy could offer a number of solutions towards SDGs in urban scope. As trade-offs, circular economy also potentially causes negative impacts to business-as-usual scenario, which is easily to be ignored. To highlight this scientific issue, this paper identified and matched the role of circular economy in realizing 17 SDGs in urban scope. How circular economy strategy could potentially affect the SDGs, whether positive or negative, were comprehensively evaluated. We expect such findings could support an equilibrium decision-making on circular economy promotion in cities, rather than an optimum solution to a single target under the triple bottom line of sustainability.

/pdf/match-circular-economy-and-urban-sustainability-re-3j6rtqg4y0.pdf

Match Circular Economy and Urban Sustainability: Re-investigating Circular Economy Under Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Circular Economy (CE) principles are relatively unexplored, especially in emerging economies. None of the studies so far have also explored operational behavioural factors and CE practices in the context of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). To address this gap, the present study explores operational behavioural factors that contribute to the adoption of CE practices in SMEs of emerging economies for the sustainable development of their societies. The study was conducted in three different phases. This involved an extensive literature review, a brainstorming session with experts, an empirical investigation based on 162 responses from SMEs, the development of a factors structure model employing Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and building a Network Relationship Map (NRM). The study contributes to the theory of planned and operational behaviour by considering the influence of personal determinants in assessing the adoption of CE among SMEs to examine the behavioural factors that influence CE adoption in these organisations. 

An analysis of operational behavioural factors and circular economy practices in SMEs: An emerging economy perspective

How circular is your tyre: Experiences with extended producer responsibility from a circular economy perspective

Multiple cases of toxic waste dumping from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries to non-OECD countries in the 1980s led to scholarly attention to transboundary waste movements. The Basel Convention was established to provide an international legal framework to tackle such problems in the early 1990s, focusing on hazardous waste. However, the transboundary movement of all waste, not just hazardous waste, remains a societal challenge globally, frequently surfacing as an ethical question on the one hand and a story of resource management/trade on the other. This phenomenon has been studied across disciplines resulting in diverse, scattered and often contested understandings. Despite previous and ongoing efforts, waste production, management and transboundary movements are increasing and are predicted to grow significantly with global social, environmental and economic implications. This literature review uses a research synthesis and problematisation approach to critically analyse the transboundary waste literature since 1985. The findings highlight research trends, the need for data reliability and policy coherence, and the sustainability implications of the phenomenon. One recurring theme in the literature is the reduction of the complex phenomenon involving multiple countries, policies, actors and waste streams into simple opposite narratives, which we called transboundary waste binaries. We have identified and then challenged assumptions behind transboundary waste binaries and discussed the implications of such assumptions on the broader discourse. We have concluded with future research recommendations to look past the transboundary waste binaries towards a nuanced and contextual understanding of transboundary waste flows.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242x221105424

Transboundary movement of waste review: From binary towards a contextual framing

The ongoing social and ecological crises create urgency in academia and elsewhere to devise actionable problem-solving knowledge to tackle sustainability challenges. Transdisciplinary research (TDR) represents a problem-solving methodology for sustainability problems. TDR requires researchers to get out in the real world and engage with other societal actors to jointly produce such problem-solving knowledge for research to have a societal impact. This radical process of doing “science with society” instead of “science for society” is becoming more urgent and relevant. However, a transdisciplinary (TD) researcher faces challenges: often, institutions have limited readiness for facilitating TDR, a researcher has to juggle the roles of an academic and changemaker simultaneously and needs new ways of doing science. The research process requires enough manoeuvring space to incorporate reflexivity, adaptiveness, and emergence based on the research context. The research uses case studies, interviews, reflections, and document analysis from two finished and one ongoing TDR PhDs in sustainability science and connects them with the TD literature. Based on previous and ongoing TDR by early-stage researchers (ESRs), this article identifies and discusses six TDR challenges ESRs in sustainability sciences might face. 

/pdf/science-with-society-challenges-of-early-stage-researchers-16synz9i.pdf

Science with society: Challenges of early‐stage researchers engaging with transdisciplinary research in sustainability science

Used European electric and electronic equipment (UEEE) has multiple use cycles in various countries, including Nigeria. Although the EU-Nigeria e-waste trade is illegal under EU and Nigerian law, previous research shows that some imported equipment is only fit for disposal. Imported UEEE has a short lifespan. Such European e-waste exports imported to Nigeria have sustainability and circularity implications for both places and raise questions about justice and equity. Using a transdisciplinary approach, we identify existing practices and challenges in Nigeria and co-create actionable solutions towards a sustainable, circular and fairness-driven UEEE and e-waste value chain. We find current extended producer responsibility (EPR) does not focus on the entire global value chain, is linear, and lacks transparency, accountability, and consideration for spatial equity. To overcome these shortcomings, we propose ultimate producer responsibility (UPR). UPR aids sustainability and circularity transition while paying attention to justice and equity. The research adds global and social dimensions to the European circular economy (CE), otherwise primarily focused on national material cycles.

/pdf/ultimate-producer-responsibility-for-e-waste-management-a-2yx1ohsz.pdf

Ultimate producer responsibility for e‐waste management–A proposal for just transition in the circular economy based on the case of used European electronic equipment exported to Nigeria

The existing system of Extended Producer Responsibility focuses on waste generation on the national level. To account for the international trade of waste and second-hand products the concept of Ultimate Producer Responsibility is a promising approach.

Kaustubh Thapa

Papers

How circular is your tyre: Experiences with extended producer responsibility from a circular economy perspective

Transboundary movement of waste review: From binary towards a contextual framing

Science with society: Challenges of early‐stage researchers engaging with transdisciplinary research in sustainability science

Ultimate producer responsibility for e‐waste management–A proposal for just transition in the circular economy based on the case of used European electronic equipment exported to Nigeria

Extended Producer Responsibility and Circular Economy: Three Design Flaws