DOCSLIB.ORG

Circular Economy

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Circular Economy Circular Economy - Sustainable Materials Management A compendium by the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE) at Lund University Peck, Philip; Richter, Jessika Luth; Delaney, Kelly; Peck, Philip; Richter, Jessika Luth; Dalhammar, Carl; Peck, David; Orlov, Dmytro; Machacek, Erika; Gillabel, Jeroen; Nußholz, Julia L.K.; Wrancken, Karl; Whalen, Katherine; Modis, Konstantinos; Milios, Leonidas; Messing, Maria; Bocken, Nancy; Tojo, Naoko; Davris, Panos; Manshoven, Saskia; Sfez, Saskia; Lindhqvist, Thomas; Voytenko Palgan, Yuliya 2020 Document Version: Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record Link to publication Citation for published version (APA): Peck, P. (Ed.), Richter, J. L. (Ed.), Delaney, K. (Ed.), Peck, P., Richter, J. L., Dalhammar, C., Peck, D., Orlov, D., Machacek, E., Gillabel, J., Nußholz, J. L. K., Wrancken, K., Whalen, K., Modis, K., Milios, L., Messing, M., Bocken, N., Tojo, N., Davris, P., ... Voytenko Palgan, Y. (2020). Circular Economy - Sustainable Materials Management: A compendium by the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE) at Lund University. (2021 ed.) The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics. Total number of authors: 23 Creative Commons License: CC BY-NC-SA General rights Unless other specific re-use rights are stated the following general rights apply: Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. • Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the public portal for the purpose of private study or research. • You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain • You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the public portal Read more about Creative commons licenses: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/ Take down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim. LUND UNIVERSITY PO Box 117 221 00 Lund +46 46-222 00 00 Download date: 04. Oct. 2021 Circular Economy – Sustainable Materials Management A COMPENDIUM BY THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS (IIIEE) AT LUND UNIVERSITY EDITORS Philip Peck Jessika Luth Richter Kelly Delaney CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS Carl Dalhammar David Peck Dmytro Orlov Erika Machacek Faigan Jeroen Gillabel Jessika Luth Richter Julia Nußholz Karl Vrancken Katherine Whalen Konstantinos Modis Leonidas Milios Maria Messing Nancy Bocken Naoko Tojo Panos Davris Philip Peck Saskia Manshoven Sophie Sfez Thomas Lindhqvist Yuliya Voytenko Palgan A PUBLICATION BY: The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics (IIIEE) at Lund University. PROJECT PARTNERS IIIEE at Lund University; Delft University of Technology; GEUS the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland; Ghent University, NTUA the National Technical University of Athens, and VITO – with Höganäs AB and Swerea IVF. This activity has received funding from European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, under the Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. © You may use the contents of the IIIEE publications for informational purposes only. You may not copy, lend, hire, transmit or redistribute these materials for commercial purposes or for compensation of any kind without written permission from IIIEE. When using IIIEE material you must include the following copyright notice: ‘Copyright ©author’s name, IIIEE, Lund University. All rights reserved’ in any copy that you make in a clearly visible position. You may not modify the materials without the permission of the author. Published in 2020 by IIIEE, Lund University, P.O. Box 196, S-221 00 LUND, Sweden, Tel: +46 46 222 02 00, Fax: +46 46 222 02 10, e-mail: [email protected]. Printed by Media-Tryck, Lund 2020 NORDIC SWAN ECOLABEL 3041 0903 | Design: Frida Nilsson, Media-Tryck Preface SOME PEOPLE work with the circular economy every day ... but many of us still have questions! A simple question that we often hear is what is the circular economy? These and other important questions will be addressed throughout this compendium, which complements the Massive Open Online Course, Circular Economy: Sustainable Materials Management. You can access the course at www.coursera.org/learn/circular-economy. As a starting point, consider the following related to the “what” question above. • Have you ever wondered why so many people believe the circular economy is important? • How is it linked to the function of natural resource production systems? • Why is the circular economy so important for developing countries? • How will it benefit society? Other questions we think are important are related to how do we go about it? • How can business, industry and society move the circular economy forward? • What are the technologies involved? • What issues and incentives motivate businesses? • How do companies make money in the circular economy? • Can policy and politicians help the circular economy? • Does society have to change? Please read on to find out more! We have structured this compendium to closely follow the MOOC, and intend that this will serve as an aid to your understanding of the course and as a ready reference source describing many aspects of the circular economy and sustainable management of materials. IV Circular Economy | scope for circular economy: sustainable materials management Scope for Circular Economy: Sustainable Materials Management This compendium document describes the first steps of a journey towards circularity. The journey will be different for all countries of the world, but this text is intended to share knowledge so that many more of us can create a path forward. The scope of the compendium covers many parts of the emerging circular economy. We choose to place considerable • Key challenges arising as a result of the excessively high material and energy consumption – and the way focus on some of the substances that we extract from the we eject large proportions of material as waste to ground – in particular raw materials and critical materials. the environment – demand that we pursue a circular We focus on circularity in these areas, because presently economy. we use too much, too fast, and we are not re-using nearly • Damage to natural systems and shortages of key re- enough. In turn, this approach demands that we look at sources – both renewable and non-renewable – will the technologies that rely on such materials, and how negatively affect the development of less wealthy businesses are innovating to make circularity of materials countries unless we achieve a circular economy. a reality. • The creation of a circular economy is about much more This document provides many concrete examples of what than resource flows. It is also about circular product we mean by sustainable materials management. We present design, business models, and policy formulation. These must be interlinked with social changes to evolve a cutting edge insights on a range of topics. circular society. • Why raw material supply chains are important to society? • How circularity can benefit us? Why do we need a circular economy and how do we • Where changes in our economies are required? pursue it? • Who needs to be involved? Governments and businesses are becoming increasingly concerned about the growing pressures on our global • What businesses are doing to make the circular economy resources due to human activities. Our economies, and a reality? our systems of production and consumption, are stressing • How governments and regulators can support the circular and damaging Earth’s natural systems. We use enormous economy? amounts of raw material and energy to create the billions of At the start of every subsection in this compendium we products that sustain our lives. At the same time, we send provide a brief Highlights summary. Here we synthesize the huge volumes of waste into the very atmosphere, waters, take home messages of each lesson presented throughout land and ecosystems that are vital to our existence. The richer the MOOC. we are, generally, the more we pollute. For this introductory section, our highlights appear as An overarching challenge is that billions of people in less follows: developed countries have the same right to live long and comfortable lives as people in developed countries. This scope for circular economy: sustainable materials management | Circular Economy V is directly linked to becoming wealthier. But if everyone new technologies and processes, and new forms of govern- consumes resources, and emits wastes, at the level that ance. Such changes offer the potential to generate value developed countries do at present, then our planet will simply to society; for example, via stimulation of employment and be unable to meet the demands placed upon it. an increased demand for educated and skilled workers. This The underlying problem lies with our linear economies evolution also needs new thinking, new social systems, new – these have excessively high material and energy con- forms of engagement, and new institutions. This demands sumption, and eject large proportions of material as waste. an evolved society. Something has to change! One
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Prosperity Without Growth?Transition the Prosperity to a Sustainable Economy 2009
    Prosperity without growth? The transition to a sustainable economy to a sustainable The transition www.sd-commission.org.uk Prosperity England 2009 (Main office) 55 Whitehall London SW1A 2HH without 020 7270 8498 [email protected] Scotland growth? Osborne House 1 Osbourne Terrace, Haymarket Edinburgh EH12 5HG 0131 625 1880 [email protected] www.sd-commission.org.uk/scotland Wales Room 1, University of Wales, University Registry, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3NS Commission Development Sustainable 029 2037 6956 [email protected] www.sd-commission.org.uk/wales Northern Ireland Room E5 11, OFMDFM The transition to a Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate, Belfast BT4 3SR sustainable economy 028 9052 0196 [email protected] www.sd-commission.org.uk/northern_ireland Prosperity without growth? The transition to a sustainable economy Professor Tim Jackson Economics Commissioner Sustainable Development Commission Acknowledgements This report was written in my capacity as Economics Commissioner for the Sustainable Development Commission at the invitation of the Chair, Jonathon Porritt, who provided the initial inspiration, contributed extensively throughout the study and has been unreservedly supportive of my own work in this area for many years. For all these things, my profound thanks. The work has also inevitably drawn on my role as Director of the Research group on Lifestyles, Values and Environment (RESOLVE) at the University of Surrey, where I am lucky enough to work with a committed, enthusiastic and talented team of people carrying out research in areas relevant to this report. Their research is evident in the evidence base on which this report draws and I’m as grateful for their continuing intellectual support as I am for the financial support of the Economic and Social Research Council (Grant No: RES-152-25-1004) which keeps RESOLVE going.
    [Show full text]
  • A Conceptualisation of Circular Business Models and Explanation of Their Adoption: Evidence from Four In-Depth Case Studies
    A Conceptualisation of Circular Business Models and Explanation of Their Adoption: Evidence From Four In-Depth Case Studies Submitted by Roberta De Angelis to the University of Exeter as a thesis for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Management Studies in January 2016 This thesis is available for Library use on the understanding that it is copyright material and that no quotation from the thesis may be published without proper acknowledgement. I certify that all material in this thesis which is not my own work has been identified and that no material has previously been submitted and approved for the award of a degree by this or any other University. Signature: .................................................................... Abstract The scale of the ecological crisis and a combination of socio-economic and regulatory trends (rising global demand for goods, increasing resource price volatility and legislative efforts to reduce waste), are severely undermining the viability of linear operating business models which rest on a take-make-dispose logic. It is within this context that the circular economy gains relevance by proposing more resource efficient industrial processes that mirror the cyclical functioning of the eco-system where waste does not occur. A crucial constituent in the achievement of a circular economy is business model innovation. However, the academic literature on sustainable business models is still in its early days and pays very little attention to the circular economy and to circular business models. Hence, this research contributes to the sustainable business models literature by proposing a conceptualisation of circular business models and by illustrating the processes leading to their emergence and development.
    [Show full text]
  • Prosperity Without Growth? Prosperity the Transitionthe to a Sustainable Economy
    Prosperity without growth? The transition to a sustainable economy to a sustainable The transition www.sd-commission.org.uk Prosperity England 2009 0DLQRIßFH 55 Whitehall London SW1A 2HH without 020 7270 8498 [email protected] Scotland growth? Osborne House 1 Osbourne Terrace, Haymarket Edinburgh EH12 5HG 0131 625 1880 [email protected] www.sd-commission.org.uk/scotland Wales Room 1, University of Wales, University Registry, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3NS Commission Development Sustainable 029 2037 6956 [email protected] www.sd-commission.org.uk/wales Northern Ireland Room E5 11, OFMDFM The transition to a Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate, Belfast BT4 3SR sustainable economy 028 9052 0196 [email protected] www.sd-commission.org.uk/northern_ireland Prosperity without growth? The transition to a sustainable economy Professor Tim Jackson Economics Commissioner Sustainable Development Commission Acknowledgements This report was written in my capacity as Economics Commissioner for the Sustainable Development Commission at the invitation of the Chair, Jonathon Porritt, who provided the initial inspiration, contributed extensively throughout the study and has been unreservedly supportive of my own work in this area for many years. For all these things, my profound thanks. The work has also inevitably drawn on my role as Director of the Research group on Lifestyles, Values and Environment (RESOLVE) at the University of Surrey, where I am lucky enough to work with a committed, enthusiastic and talented team of people carrying out research in areas relevant to this report. Their research is evident in the evidence base on which this report draws and I’m as grateful for their continuing intellectual VXSSRUWDV,DPIRUWKHßQDQFLDOVXSSRUWRIWKH(FRQRPLFDQG6RFLDO5HVHDUFK&RXQFLO *UDQW1R5(6 which keeps RESOLVE going.
    [Show full text]
  • Circular Economy Sustainability Scope
    Yr. 9 reading homework 1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circular_economy Circular Economy A circular economy (often referred to simply as "circularity") is an economic system aimed at minimizing waste and making the most of resources. In a circular system resource input and waste, emission, and energy leakage are minimized by slowing, closing, and narrowing energy and material loops; this can be achieved through long-lasting design, maintenance, repair, reuse, remanufacturing, refurbishing, and recycling. This regenerative approach is in contrast to the traditional linear economy, which has a 'take, make, dispose' model of production Proponents of the circular economy suggest that a sustainable world does not mean a drop in the quality of life for consumers, and can be achieved without loss of revenue or extra costs for manufacturers. The argument is that circular business models can be as profitable as linear models, allowing us to keep enjoying similar products and services Sustainability Intuitively, the circular economy would appear to be more sustainable than the current linear economic system. Reducing the resources used, and the waste and leakage created, conserves resources and helps to reduce environmental pollution. However, it is argued by some that these assumptions are simplistic; that they disregard the complexity of existing systems and their potential trade-offs. For example, the social dimension of sustainability seems to be only marginally addressed in many publications on the circular economy. There are cases that might require different or additional strategies, like purchasing new, more energy efficient equipment. By reviewing the literature, a team of researchers from Cambridge and TU Delft could show that there are at least eight different relationship types between sustainability and the circular economy.
    [Show full text]
  • Prosperity Without Growth – Economics for a Finite Planet - Prof Tim Jackson
    Summary by Frank O’Kelly Prosperity without Growth – Economics for a Finite Planet - Prof Tim Jackson The question at the heart of this book is one of social justice. We need to challenge the assumption that the continued consumption growth without greater attention to equity and sustainability can really deliver prosperity for all. What does prosperity mean in a world of 9 billion people, within decades, living under the threat of climate change and resource scarcity? Our global ecological footprint is now 30% higher than the earth’s biological capacity to produce for our needs. Mankind seems to have disconnected itself from the natural world, economically, spiritually and mentally. Human society needs to change - its economics, its accounts, its implicit biases against natural capital (versus man made capital), against public wealth (versus private wealth) and against logic and less consumption (versus manic and more). Above all human society needs to change its relationship with nature to one of harmony and co-existence. What is growing? GDP = the annual marketed flow of final goods and services. More simply it is the measure of “economic activity” in a nation or region. Continued growth in GDP is not sustainable because; Prosperity without Growth Throughput = the metabolic flow of useful matter and energy from environmental, through the economic system and back to environmental sinks as waste. This is outgrowing the ecosystems that sustain it so past its peak Chapter 1 – Prosperity Lost A basic human concern is that we want things to go well. This includes a notion of continuity and the fact that my “prosperity” is intertwined with those around me.
    [Show full text]
  • Prosperity Without Growth: Economics for a Finite Planet / Tim Jackson
    Prosperity Without Growth — Tim Jackson 210x146mm trim format — Jacketed hardback — Spine width: 24.6mm ISBN 978-1-84407-894-3 PROSPERITY WITHOUT GROWTH WITHOUT PROSPERITY Is it time to re-think economic growth? ‘Business as usual is not an option.’ ‘The crisis doesn’t only make us free to imagine other models, another future, The debate has started. Read Prosperity without Growth and join the most Oliver James, author of Affluenza important conversation of our times. another world. It obliges us to do so.’ President Nicolas Sarkozy, Paris, ‘Prosperity without Growth’s hugely ‘Jackson goes after the complacency September 2009 encouraging and thrilling theme is that and dishonesty at the heart of contem- humanity can prosper without growth. porary politics, and provides a brilliant Is more economic growth the solution? Will it In fact there is no other way left to us.’ and compelling account of the crucial deliver prosperity and well-being for a global Robert Goodland, winner of IUCN importance of the growth debate.’ population projected to reach nine billion? Coolidge Medal of Honor 2008 Jonathon Porritt, CBE In this explosive book, Tim Jackson – a top sustainability adviser to the UK government – ‘Jackson’s book simply resets the ‘In the teeth of the economic crisis, makes a compelling case against continued agenda for Western society.’ Jackson has written the most important economic growth in developed nations. Bernie Bulkin, former Chief Scientist of BP book that could possibly be written now.’ Tim Jackson is Economics Commissioner on James Gustave Speth, Yale University PROSPERITY No one denies that development is essential for the Sustainable Development Commission, ‘This might well become as important poorer nations.
    [Show full text]
  • Remanufacturing: Key Strategy for Sustainable Development-A Review
    International Conference on Sustainable Growth through Universal Practices in Science, Technology and Management (ICSGUPSTM-2018), Goa, June 8-10, 2018 Remanufacturing: Key Strategy for Sustainable Development-A Review Dr Martand T.Telsang Professor Mechanical Engineering & Dean Academics, Sanjay Ghodawat University Kolhapur Abstract Remanufacturing enables a significant part of the value added to a product during its initial production to be retained. We cannot afford to dispose continually of strategically important materials in landfill sites or waste the energy associated with their processing. Remanufacturing is the process by which used products and assemblies are returned to their new and advanced state with minimum waste and expenditure on materials and energy. Parts that do not wear out are reused in a rebuilt product that incorporates the technological advances deemed necessary to ensure that repairs can be carried out in a timely manner and the item returned to functionality in an efficient manner. This review paper reports an overview of process of remanufacturing. Its need, contribution towards sustainability and lists the challenges in remanufacturing of products. Scope and benefits of remanufacturing has increased where industries have embraced new technologies for the restitution of components and enabled greater material recovery and even the retention in-house of capabilities that may have previously been outsourced. Remanufacturing has a high chance of failure when used to compete in markets where price is the only basis for competition, unless a low-cost source of labor is available. Key words: Remanufacturing, Reconditioning, Recycling, Circular economy, Sustainability. 1. Introduction Remanufacturing describes the process of disassembling products, cleaning, repairing or replacing parts, and then reassembling them to a good working condition.
    [Show full text]
  • TJ-CV-W-Recent-Publications-Sept
    Tim Jackson – Curriculum Vitae Tim Jackson MA, PhD, FRSA, AcSS E: [email protected] W: www.timjackson.org.uk Address: CUSP, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK Short biography Tim Jackson is Professor of Sustainable Development at the University of Surrey. He has been at the forefront of international debates on sustainability for three decades and has worked closely with the UK Government, the United Nations, the European Commission, numerous NGOs, private companies and foundations to bring economic and social science research into sustainability. In addition to his academic work, he is an award-winning dramatist with numerous radio-writing credits for the BBC. Extended Resumé Tim’s current role at Surrey is Director of the ESRC Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity (CUSP). CUSP is a multi-disciplinary research centre which aims to understand the economic, social and political dimensions of sustainable prosperity. It’s guiding vision for prosperity is one in which people everywhere have the capability to flourish as human beings – within the ecological and resource constraints of a finite planet. The work addresses the implications of sustainable prosperity at the level of households and firms; and eXplores sector-level and macro-economic implications of different pathways to prosperity. It pays particular attention to the pragmatic steps that need to be taken by enterprise, government and civil society in order to achieve a sustainable prosperity. Previous academic research From 2013 to January 2017, Tim held a Professorial Research Fellowship on Prosperity and Sustainability in the Green Economy (PASSAGE). From 2010 to 2014 he was Director of the Sustainable Lifestyles Research Group (SLRG), which aimed to develop evidence- based advice to policy makers about realistic strategies to encourage more sustainable lifestyles.
    [Show full text]