The Routledge Handbook of Catalysts for a Sustainable Circular Economy

The Routledge Handbook of Catalysts for a Sustainable Circular Economy
Author: Hanna Lehtimäki
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 846
Release: 2023-11-30
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 1000976734

This groundbreaking handbook leads the way in accelerating the transition to a sustainable circular economy by introducing the concept of a catalyst as a positive and enhancing driving force for sustainability. Catalysts create and maintain favourable conditions for complex systemic sustainability transition changes, and a discussion and understanding of catalysts is required to move from a linear economy to a sustainable and circular economy. With contributions from leading experts from around the globe, this volume presents theoretical insights, contextualised case studies, and participatory methodologies, which identify different catalysts, including technology, innovation, business models, management and organisation, regulation, sustainability policy, product design, and culture. The authors then show how these catalysts accelerate sustainability transitions. As a unique value to the reader, the book brings together public policy and private business perspectives to address the circular economy as a systemic change. Its theoretical and practical perspectives are coupled with real-world case studies from Finland, Italy, China, India, Nigeria, and others to provide tangible insights on catalysing the circular economy across organisational, hierarchical, and disciplinary boundaries. With its broad interdisciplinary and geographically diverse scope, this handbook will be a valuable tool for researchers, academics, and policy-makers in the fields of circular economy, sustainability transitions, environmental studies, business, and the social sciences more broadly.

The Routledge Handbook of Catalysts for a Sustainable Circular Economy

The Routledge Handbook of Catalysts for a Sustainable Circular Economy
Author: Hanna Lehtimäki
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 642
Release: 2023-11-30
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 1000971414

This groundbreaking handbook leads the way in accelerating the transition to a sustainable circular economy by introducing the concept of a catalyst as a positive and enhancing driving force for sustainability. Catalysts create and maintain favourable conditions for complex systemic sustainability transition changes, and a discussion and understanding of catalysts is required to move from a linear economy to a sustainable and circular economy. With contributions from leading experts from around the globe, this volume presents theoretical insights, contextualised case studies, and participatory methodologies, which identify different catalysts, including technology, innovation, business models, management and organisation, regulation, sustainability policy, product design, and culture. The authors then show how these catalysts accelerate sustainability transitions. As a unique value to the reader, the book brings together public policy and private business perspectives to address the circular economy as a systemic change. Its theoretical and practical perspectives are coupled with real-world case studies from Finland, Italy, China, India, Nigeria, and others to provide tangible insights on catalysing the circular economy across organisational, hierarchical, and disciplinary boundaries. With its broad interdisciplinary and geographically diverse scope, this handbook will be a valuable tool for researchers, academics, and policy-makers in the fields of circular economy, sustainability transitions, environmental studies, business, and the social sciences more broadly.

The Routledge Handbook of Waste, Resources and the Circular Economy

The Routledge Handbook of Waste, Resources and the Circular Economy
Author: Terry Tudor
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 493
Release: 2020-12-27
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1000259633

The Handbook introduces, contextualises, critiques, and discusses a range of perspectives associated with the concept of the circular economy. These perspectives span an array of subjects including economics, environmental policymaking, sociology, environmental science, environmental and industrial engineering, management, international development, and human geography. A fundamental underpinning of the Handbook is that it takes account of a wide range of sectors, as well as geographical perspectives that incorporate both a Global North and Global South world context. This approach is crucial because it is only within such a holistic perspective that the circular economy concept can truly be examined. In addition, these issues are examined both from a theoretical as well as a practical perspective, using real-world case studies for illustration. Given its wide subject, sectoral, and geographical areas of focus, the Handbook should be of value not only for those undertaking research in the field of circular economy, but also stakeholders involved in policymaking, as well as decision-making on the front line.

Sustainable Products in the Circular Economy

Sustainable Products in the Circular Economy
Author: Magdalena Wojnarowska
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 259
Release: 2022-04-24
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 1000570487

This book explores how the circular economy influences product design in today’s business and society. Drawing on contributions from a wide range of expert thinkers, this volume assesses the existing approaches, strategies and tools which facilitate socially and environmentally responsible production and consumption systems. It then goes on to highlight the ways in which the circular economy conceptual framework could be implemented effectively at both micro (product policy) and macro (sustainable consumption) levels in order to alter the industrial landscape and increase its interconnectedness with materials and scarce resources. Highlighting the pros and cons of transitioning to this new model, the book also cautions that it will only be made possible via significant behavior change at both industry and consumer levels. Sustainable Products in the Circular Economy will be of great interest to students and scholars of sustainable manufacturing, sustainable consumption, corporate social responsibility and business ethics. It will also be relevant to industry professionals whose work dovetails with these areas.

The Circular Economy

The Circular Economy
Author: Ron Legarski
Publisher: SolveForce
Total Pages: 552
Release: 2024-09-08
Genre: Political Science
ISBN:

"The Circular Economy: Principles, Philosophies, Science, and Modern Applications" offers a comprehensive exploration of the transformative power of the circular economy in reshaping industries, societies, and environmental practices worldwide. In this timely and insightful work, Ron Legarski, an expert in telecommunications, sustainability, and network infrastructure, presents a clear and actionable guide to understanding and implementing circular models across key sectors such as manufacturing, energy, agriculture, and telecommunications. As businesses, governments, and organizations face the urgent need to transition from linear to circular systems, this book provides the philosophical, scientific, and practical foundations needed to drive real change. Readers will gain insights into critical topics, including resource efficiency, waste reduction, closed-loop systems, and the role of emerging technologies such as Industry 4.0, AI, IoT, and smart grids in enabling the circular economy. Through real-world case studies, policy recommendations, and in-depth analysis, "The Circular Economy" bridges the gap between theory and practice, offering readers: A detailed exploration of the philosophical origins and scientific principles behind circular thinking. Insights into the role of standardization, global frameworks, and public-private partnerships in scaling circular practices. Strategies for transforming industries, including telecommunications, energy, construction, and agriculture, to operate within a circular model. An understanding of the economic, social, and environmental benefits of circular systems, including job creation, resource conservation, and climate change mitigation. Whether you are a business leader, policymaker, sustainability advocate, or student, this book serves as both an essential resource and a source of inspiration for building a future rooted in circularity. With a deep commitment to sustainability and innovation, Ron Legarski offers a compelling vision of how we can collectively shape a world where waste is minimized, resources are continually reused, and economic growth thrives without compromising the environment. "The Circular Economy: Principles, Philosophies, Science, and Modern Applications" is more than just a book—it is a roadmap for creating a sustainable, resilient, and prosperous future for industries and societies alike.

Designing for the Circular Economy

Designing for the Circular Economy
Author: Martin Charter
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 339
Release: 2018-08-06
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1351623907

The circular economy describes a world in which reuse through repair, reconditioning and refurbishment is the prevailing social and economic model. The business opportunities are huge but developing product and service offerings and achieving competitive advantage means rethinking your business model from early creativity and design processes, through marketing and communication to pricing and supply. Designing for the Circular Economy highlights and explores ‘state of the art’ research and industrial practice, highlighting CE as a source of: new business opportunities; radical business change; disruptive innovation; social change; and new consumer attitudes. The thirty-four chapters provide a comprehensive overview of issues related to product circularity from policy through to design and development. Chapters are designed to be easy to digest and include numerous examples. An important feature of the book is the case studies section that covers a diverse range of topics related to CE, business models and design and development in sectors ranging from construction to retail, clothing, technology and manufacturing. Designing for the Circular Economy will inform and educate any companies seeking to move their business models towards these emerging models of sustainability; organizations already working in the circular economy can benchmark their current activities and draw inspiration from new applications and an understanding of the changing social and political context. This book will appeal to both academia and business with an interest in CE issues related to products, innovation and new business models.

Circular Economy Realities

Circular Economy Realities
Author: Pauline Deutz
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2024-07-09
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9781032281810

This book addresses the realities of the circular economy, a resource efficiency concept that has risen to global prominence in academic, policy and business circles. Aimed at academics, upper-level students, practitioners and policy-makers in sustainable development, business, economics, geography, sociology and environmental engineering.

The Circular Economy Handbook

The Circular Economy Handbook
Author: Peter Lacy
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 350
Release: 2019-12-31
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1349959685

Can we align global production and consumption systems with sustainability? Can business growth actually lead to a healthier planet? Can companies innovate through the circular economy to create competitive advantage and genuine impact? Waste to Wealth proved that the emerging circular economy advantage exists – now Lacy, Long and Spindler show you how to realize it at speed and scale in The Circular Economy Handbook. We stand at a crossroads, with rising geopolitical and geo-economic tensions, massive technological change and a host of social and environmental challenges. We are pushing planetary boundaries to their limits, with climate change and threats to biodiversity and oceans as just a few examples. Significant impacts are already being felt, and both people and planet face potentially catastrophic and irreversible consequences if we don’t urgently change our global model and systems. Our current linear “take, make, waste” models of production and consumption will not be sustainable in a world of some 9 billion people by 2050, especially with ever-expanding rates of consumption. Thriving within these dynamics demands more than incremental adjustments to business-as-usual. The circular economy offers a powerful means to decouple growth from use of scarce and harmful resources, enabling greater production and consumption with fewer negative environmental impacts—at the same time, making companies more innovative and competitive. In fact, this book shows that $4.5 trillion in economic value is at stake. Delivering on the promise of a circular economy demands impact and scale, extending through value chains and, ultimately, disrupting the entire economic system. In The Circular Economy Handbook, the authors illuminate the path from insight to action, from linear to circular. With case studies, advice and practical guidance, they show leaders how to pivot towards a holistic circular organization, embedding circularity internally and delivering broad-based system change. With unique insights across business models, technologies, and industries – featuring stories and real-world examples from circular pioneers – this book is the essential guide to help companies become leaders in the movement to secure the circular economy advantage.

Handbook of the Circular Economy

Handbook of the Circular Economy
Author: Miguel Brandão
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
Total Pages: 544
Release: 2020-12-25
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1788972724

This crucial Handbook brings together the latest thinking on the circular economy, an area that has increasingly caught global attention. Contributors explore a broad range of themes such as recycling systems and new business models, as well as consolidating the many ways in which the topic has been dealt with in research, business and policy-making. The Handbook of the Circular Economy is not only relevant, but also essential for students, academics, and policy-makers trying to make sense of the plethora of ways in which the term has been applied and interpreted.

The Circular Economy in Europe

The Circular Economy in Europe
Author: Zora Kovacic
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 271
Release: 2019-11-07
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0429576617

The Circular Economy in Europe presents an overview and a critical discussion on how circularity is conceived, imagined, and enacted in current EU policy-making. In 2013, the idea of a circular economy entered the stage of European policy-making in the efforts to reconcile environmental and economic policy objectives. In 2019 the European Commission declared in a press release that the Circular Economy Action Plan has been delivered. The level of circularity in the European economy, however, has remained the same. Bringing together perspectives from social sciences, environmental economics and policy analysis, The Circular Economy in Europe provides a critical analysis of policies and promises of the next panacea for growth and sustainability. The authors provide a theoretical and empirical basis to discuss how contemporary societies conceive their need to re-organise production and consumption and explores the messy assemblage of institutions, actors, waste streams, biophysical flows, policy objectives, scientific disciplines, values, expectations, promises and aspirations involved. This book is essential reading for all those interested in understanding how ideas about the circular economy emerged historically, how they gained traction and are used in policy processes, and what the practical challenges in implementing this policy are.