New insights for implementing the circular economy
Despite increasing clarity on what a circular economy could look like, there is a lack of knowledge on how to translate this theory into concrete implementation. Using an older concept called cascading, a group of researchers led by PhD student Kieran Campbell-Johnston has developed a new framework to aid the implementation of the circular economy. The analysis has been published in the journal Resources, Conservation and Recycling, and is a collaboration between Utrecht University and the University of Technology of Troyes, France.
Circular economy works from a perspective that current levels of material consumption and waste generation are ecologically and socially detrimental and unsustainable. The time until “Earth Overshoot Day”- the day humanity has collectively used more from nature than the planet can renew in a whole year is decreasing. And at the same time, levels of waste generation are expected to rise by 70% by 2050 unless urgent action is taken.
Unsustainable material consumption and waste generation
The logic behind the circular economy focuses on slowing, closing and narrowing material and energy loops to both reduce both the material input and waste output.
The circular economy focuses on slowing, closing and narrowing material and energy loops
This simple premise has captivated governments, industry and academic over the past five years, with the circular economy presented as a pillar of the European Union’s Green New Deal and the basis for the post-Covid-19 economic recovery.
But what does a circular economy look like?
Previous Utrecht University research has been instrumental in defining the different strategies that can enable circular economy activities. The so-called “R-strategies”, e.g. Reduce, Reuse, Recycling etc. represent feasible activities that can retain the functional use of material throughout its production and use.
However, despite increasing clarity how circular economy activities look, there is a lack of knowledge about how to translate theory in the concrete implementation.
Using old concepts to guide new developments and implementation
To critically aid and examine the implementation of circular economy practices, Copernicus researchers have turned to an older concept, cascading.
“Cascading is theory that promotes the consecutive use of materials at their highest functionality through multiple uses,” explains Kieran Campbell-Johnston, a PhD researcher at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development. “For example, primary lumber can be used in pallets, then chipboard before being burnt as fuel. This theoretically preserves the resource input (forests), through matching the product or material to its highest value use throughout its lifecycle.”
Primary lumber can be used in pallets, then chipboard before being burnt as fuel. This theoretically preserves the resource input (forests) through matching the product or material to its highest value use throughout its lifecycle.
Using this concept, the researchers have developed a framework that explores how cascading can be used to connect and promote the circular economy R-strategies.
“When seeking to promote circular economy activities, we are quick to forget that that this requires connecting different actors, such as consumers and businesses, in the lifecycle of a product or material. We must start thinking of these activities from a dual perspective, the physical flows of products and materials and the actors that are involved in these processes, and the choices they make.”
A more holistic understanding needed
Whilst proponents of the circular economy are quick to advocate the economic and material benefits of circular economy activities, the publication calls for those developing strategies to explore a more holistic understanding of value, based on social and environmental prosperity.
Further reading
Campbell-Johnston, K., Vermeulen, W. J., Reike, D., & Brullot, S. (2020). The circular economy and cascading: towards a framework. Resources, Conservation & Recycling: X, 100038.?