Resources Conservation and Recycling 

About: Resources Conservation and Recycling is an academic journal published by Elsevier BV. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Environmental science & Engineering. It has an ISSN identifier of 0921-3449. Over the lifetime, 5644 publications have been published receiving 285900 citations.

Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions

Abstract: The circular economy concept has gained momentum both among scholars and practitioners. However, critics claim that it means many different things to different people. This paper provides further evidence for these critics. The aim of this paper is to create transparency regarding the current understandings of the circular economy concept. For this purpose, we have gathered 114 circular economy definitions which were coded on 17 dimensions. Our findings indicate that the circular economy is most frequently depicted as a combination of reduce, reuse and recycle activities, whereas it is oftentimes not highlighted that CE necessitates a systemic shift. We further find that the definitions show few explicit linkages of the circular economy concept to sustainable development. The main aim of the circular economy is considered to be economic prosperity, followed by environmental quality; its impact on social equity and future generations is barely mentioned. Furthermore, neither business models nor consumers are frequently outlined as enablers of the circular economy. We critically discuss the various circular economy conceptualizations throughout this paper. Overall, we hope to contribute via this study towards the coherence of the circular economy concept; we presume that significantly varying circular economy definitions may eventually result in the collapse of the concept.

Energy- and greenhouse gas-based LCA of biofuel and bioenergy systems: Key issues, ranges and recommendations

Abstract: With increasing use of biomass for energy, questions arise about the validity of bioenergy as a means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a methodology able to reveal these environmental and energy performances, but results may differ even for apparently similar bioenergy systems. Differences are due to several reasons: type and management of raw materials, conversion technologies, end-use technologies, system boundaries and reference energy system with which the bioenergy chain is compared. Based on review of published papers and elaboration of software data concerning greenhouse gas and energy balances of bioenergy, other renewable and conventional fossil systems, this paper discusses key issues in bioenergy system LCA. These issues have a strong influence on the final results but are often overlooked or mishandled in most of the studies available in literature. The article addresses the following aspects: recognition of the biomass carbon cycle, including carbon stock changes in biomass and soil over time; inclusion of nitrous oxide and methane emissions from agricultural activities; selection of the appropriate fossil reference system; homogeneity of the input parameters in Life Cycle Inventories; influence of the allocation procedure when multiple products are involved; future trends in bioenergy (i.e. second-generation biofuels and biorefineries). Because many key issues are site-specific, and many factors affect the outcome, it is not possible to give exact values for the amount of greenhouse gas emissions and fossil energy consumption saved by a certain bioenergy product, because too many uncertainties are involved. For these reasons, the results are here provided as a means of wide ranges. Despite this wide range of results, it has been possible to draw some important conclusions and devise recommendations concerning the existing bioenergy systems, and some emerging implications about the future deployment and trends of bioenergy products are pointed out.

Microwave heating applications in environmental engineering—a review

Abstract: This paper presents a review of microwave heating applications in environmental engineering A number of areas are assessed, including contaminated soil remediation, waste processing, minerals processing and activated carbon regeneration Conclusions are presented, which identify the areas of potential commercial development as contaminated soil vitrification, volatile organic compounds (VOC) treatment and recovery, waste sludge processing, mineral ore grinding and carbon in pulp gold recovery Reasons are detailed why other areas have not seen investment into and implementation of microwave heating technology These include difficulties associated with the scaling up of laboratory units to industrial capacities and a lack of fundamental data on material dielectric properties This has meant that commercialisation of microwave heating processes for environmental engineering applications has so far been slow In fact, commercialisation is only deemed viable when microwave heating offers additional process-specific advantages over conventional methods of heating

An analysis of the drivers affecting the implementation of green supply chain management

Abstract: Green supply chain management has emerged as an important organizational philosophy to reduce environmental risks. We develop a model of the drivers affecting the implementation of green supply chain management using an Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) framework. The various drivers of green supply chain management (GSCM) are identified based on the GSM literature and on consultations with experts in the industry. The model developed is validated on a case study involving a manufacturing firm in southern India.

Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour to investigate the determinants of recycling behaviour: a case study from Brixworth, UK

Abstract: New mandatory household recycling targets present a serious challenge to UK Local Authorities (LAs). The key to achieving these targets is participation by households in waste management and recycling schemes. However, for these schemes to be successful, they must be based on a thorough understanding of householder attitudes to recycling, and their perceptions of the barriers to recycling. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), which provides a theoretical framework for systematically identifying the determinants of recycling behaviour, was used as the basis for a study of 191 participants in a local kerbside recycling scheme. The findings suggest that pro-recycling attitudes are the major contributor to recycling behaviour, and that these attitudes are influenced firstly, by having the appropriate opportunities, facilities and knowledge to recycle, and secondly by not being deterred by the issues of physically recycling (for example time, space and inconvenience). Previous recycling experience, and a concern for the community and the consequences of recycling are also significant predictors of recycling behaviour. The implications of the findings for the development and implementation of recycling schemes and for marketing and communication campaigns which advocate the use of these schemes are discussed.