Overcoming Barriers: How Information Gaps Hinder Recycling and Circularity

This paper identifies, through a literature review, how 53 circular economy (CE) practices are related to the capability approach (CA) proposed by Sen. The main goal was to identify how a virtuous cycle between CE and CA can be developed. Five instrumental freedoms (IF) were analysed: economic facilities, social opportunities, protective security, political freedoms, and transparency guarantees. These relationships were analysed in three flows: CE practices positively impacting IF, CE practices negatively impacting IF, and the feedback influence of IF on CE practices. The results show that 32 of the 53 practices previously mentioned have not yet been studied from the CA context, which indicates that there are several research opportunities. From the practices considered, 72 articles were analysed in the final sample. The results suggest that several CE practices are aligned with the CA, considering that all five IF were identified as positive outcomes of CE practices. However, in some contexts, certain practices can have negative outcomes, which indicates that CE, at least in some cases, may not be considered as sustainable, as it decreases IF and, therefore, the social aspect of sustainability. The results also highlight that there is a feedback from IF to CE, in such a way that investing in the expansion of IF can facilitate the development of CE practices. Therefore, this study concludes that CE is indeed a way to fully operationalize sustainable development.

The healthcare sector produces 2 gigatons of CO2. To address this impactful trend and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the adoption of circular economy (CE) practices could represent a strategic target. In this context, the present article provides a systematic and bibliometric literature review of CE practices applied in the healthcare sector by considering the collected case studies. This study aims to analyze the state of the art in CEs in the healthcare sector in order to identify CE practices in healthcare, examining how they contribute to sustainability goals and the critical issues in their implementation. A final selection of 36 articles from reputable databases, Web of Science and Scopus, was obtained and analyzed using VOSviewer. By systematically examining these papers, the study investigates the key CE practices implemented within the healthcare sector and their respective areas of application, which help the broader mission of achieving SDG 12, and also, to a lesser extent, SDG 9. Although the research criteria impose some limitations, this study offers a comprehensive review of successful circular practices adopted in the healthcare sector while shedding light on existing gaps and providing valuable insights for relevant stakeholders.

The adoption of circular economy (CE) practices and artificial intelligence (AI) in the supply chain (SC) has become extremely significant in manufacturing organizations. The CE seeks to facilitate sustainable growth by managing the flow of materials and energy within closed-loop systems. The CE has resulted in the development of sustainable business models. AI capabilities transform work activities, data flows, and organizational processes. Therefore, the present study aims to develop a framework to improve circular supply chain (CSC) adoption in the automobile manufacturing sector by identifying and analyzing CE practices and AI-enabled digital strategies. The proposed framework was analyzed by employing a hybrid approach of Prioritized Weighted Average–Criteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation–Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations-II (PWA-CRITIC-PROMETHEE-II) under an Interval-Valued Fermatean Fuzzy (IVFF) environment. IVFF-CRITIC was employed to determine the CE practices’ weights, while IVFF-PROMETHEE-II was utilized to establish the relative index of AI-enabled digital strategies to enhance the CSC adoption. The key findings of the current study indicate that “AI-enabled infrastructure configuration for circular economy adoption in the supply chain”, “AI-integrated equipment to facilitate adaptability and mass personalization”, and “Robotics and AI-driven manufacturing and material reclamation” are the most significant AI-based digital strategies that support CE practices to enhance the adoption of a CSC and encourage case example manufacturing organizations to align their operations with AI and CE. Moreover, the outcomes of the study will deliver a comprehensive evaluation of CE practices and AI-enabled digital strategies for SC managers, based on the relative indexing obtained through the implementation of the hybrid approach.

The enormous rate of urbanization, industrialization and unreasonable consumption positions severe pressure on global waste management systems as well as the exceedingly fast pace of pile-up of rubbish threatening a broke ecological balance. This research investigates the Circular economy (CE) practices as a constructive strategy to solve these problems. However, the issue is that our current linear waste management systems are extremely inefficient, having an overreliance on the use of landfilling and incineration for disposing of waste, leading to resource depletion and greenhouse gas emissions. This research aims to assess the effects of CE practices on waste reduction, resource efficiency and landfill diversion with a view towards understanding regional variability and the obstacles(s) and opportunities to adoption. The study adopts a mixed-methods perspective, combining qualitative data from stakeholder interviews and case studies with quantitative information concerning waste management performance. Highlights show that the CE practices decrease waste generation by 25–40%, boost recycling rates of up to 50–65%, and divert as much as 70–80% of waste away from landfills. The research still points to challenges including economic costs, gaps in policy and technology especially in the developing world. The results are closely aligned with global benchmarks and affirm the efficacy of CE practices. Finally the paper provides policy implications aimed at policymakers, industries and researchers observing that to promote faster adoption of CE practices there is an urgent need for coherent policies, technological innovation and public awareness. Combined, these results highlight how CE principles can transform waste management systems and support the pursuit of global sustainability goals.

This study provides an exploratory analysis of the effects of circular materials and components on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) within the construction industry. With circular economy (CE) principles increasingly integrated into construction, there is an emphasis on resource optimization through reuse, recycling, and waste minimization. These practices support sustainability and economic efficiency but simultaneously bring about unique occupational risks. The transition towards CE in construction necessitates an adaptive approach to safety protocols, ensuring both environmental benefits and worker safety are prioritized.The research evaluates how circular materials such as recycled plastics, reused steel, and innovative composites introduce non-traditional hazards that may compromise worker safety if unaddressed. Traditional OHS practices require modification as these materials may exhibit unpredictable characteristics under stress or deteriorate differently than virgin materials. The potential risks range from respiratory issues due to particulate exposure during material cutting to chemical hazards from residuals in recycled content. This research argues that proactive risk management and detailed material traceability are critical for enhancing OHS in a CE framework.The work adopts a mixed-method approach, including literature review and comparative case studies from four construction companies that integrate CE principles. Data collection incorporates interviews with project managers and OHS officers, accident report analyses, and safety audit reviews to identify safety impacts related to circular materials. Findings highlight a correlation between higher circular material usage and the need for enhanced safety measures, suggesting that comprehensive training on new material properties and risks is essential. Material traceability emerges as a pivotal factor, enabling the identification of hazardous components and facilitating the design of targeted OHS protocols.The findings indicate that CE practices, although beneficial for the environment, introduce complexities to OHS management that require regulatory updates and innovative safety measures. Addressing these challenges would ensure that the construction sector not only meets sustainability goals but also advances worker protection in line with new material technologies. Consequently, the research underscores the importance of aligning CE strategies with robust OHS frameworks, fostering a construction industry that is both resilient and responsible. This dual commitment to sustainability and safety can enhance sectoral competitiveness, particularly in light of growing environmental regulations and resource scarcity.

Research gaps and future directions on social value stemming from circular economy practices in agri-food industrial parks: Insights from a systematic literature review

Purpose The study aims to explore the integration of corporate social responsibility (CSR) with sustainable innovation in construction industry of Pakistan. It examines how sustainable supply chain management, energy-efficient product development, waste management and circular economy practices can contribute to ethical, environmental and social benefits. The study highlights the importance of continuous oversight and stakeholder commitment in ensuring long-term sustainable goals. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research approach, using a Delphi study to gather insights from 23 construction industry experts. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the finding and drive actional recommendations. Findings The study find that integration of CSR with sustainable innovation enhances the operational efficiency, promote eco friendly practices and foster stakeholder engagement. Sustainable supply chain management promote fair labor practices, ethical sourcing and eco-friendly materials; implementing energy efficient design that reduces carbon footprint; waste management and circular economy practices support in recycling techniques for reduction of waste. Practical implications Policymakers can use this sustainable innovation for urban development and smart cities by promoting green infrastructure, energy-efficient public buildings and eco-friendly urban planning. Developers can use these methods, leading to faster project completion while maintaining high sustainability standards. Furthermore, the integration is supportive for protecting biodiversity by preserving natural habitats, incorporating green spaces into urban projects and reducing deforestation. Originality/value Unlike traditional CSR models, this research emphasizes sustainability-driven business processes, including green construction, ethical supply chains and circular economy practices, offering a proactive approach to industry transformation.

This study aims to examine the influence of Circular Economy ( CE ) practices on firm orientation toward Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) within the automotive industry, with a particular focus on the moderating role of technological innovation. Using panel data from major global automotive firms over the period 2016 to 2022, we employed the System Generalized Method of Moments ( SYS ‐ GMM ) technique to address endogeneity and dynamic panel bias. CE practices were assessed through sustainability‐related metrics, while SDG disclosure performance was evaluated based on depth, breadth, and concentration dimensions. The empirical findings reveal that CE practices significantly enhance the depth and breadth of firms' SDG disclosures, although they may reduce the concentration of disclosures across specific goals. Furthermore, technological innovation positively moderates these relationships, amplifying the impact of CE practices by enabling more comprehensive and detailed SDG reporting through advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and the Internet of Things. The results emphasize the strategic value of integrating CE initiatives with technological innovation to drive sustainability performance and reporting transparency in the automotive sector. Policy recommendations include promoting supportive regulatory frameworks, offering financial incentives for green technological investments, and enforcing comprehensive sustainability reporting standards. This study contributes to the literature by providing robust empirical evidence on the synergistic role of CE and technological innovation in advancing corporate contributions toward SDGs in the automotive industry.

The Italian furniture industry increasingly adopts circular economy ( CE ) practices to address sustainability challenges. However, CE implementation introduces specific risks related to supply chain fragmentation, traceability issues and consumer resistance to sustainable materials. In this context, supply chain integration (SCI) emerges as a critical capability for managing complexity and uncertainty, yet its role in CE ‐related risk mitigation remains underexplored. While prior studies have examined CE and supply chain risk management (SCRM) separately, few have investigated how integration across supply chain actors enables firms to manage the specific risks of circular transitions. This study employs a multiple case study approach to address this gap, analysing five Italian furniture firms with varying CE maturity levels. Findings show that CE practices, such as the reuse of materials, the refurbishment of end‐of‐life products and digitalisation, are widespread, yet uneven in their impact. Companies with more advanced SCI systems, including shared data platforms and co‐sourcing agreements, are better positioned to mitigate operational and reputational risks. In contrast, firms with limited integration face obstacles in scaling CE due to inefficiencies and low coordination. The study highlights SCI not only as a strategic enabler for circular adoption under uncertainty, but also as relevant for mitigating the risks associated with CE implementation. The findings underscore the need for supportive policy frameworks that foster supply chain integration as a means to reduce risks related to circular transitions and promote their broader adoption.

The digital supply chains enabled by Big Data Analytics (BDA) capabilities have become a business significance to develop a competitive and sustainable supply chain. The implementation of BDA for sustainable supply chains introduces various organisational challenges for the manufacturing firms demanding complementary capabilities. This study presents an investigation of the linkages between BDA capabilities, circular economy (CE) practices, and sustainable supply chain (SSC) flexibility on the SSC performance. Based on a survey of 320 manufacturing organisations, the study presents very interesting results. It is revealed that the BDA does not have a direct effect on sustainable performance. The CE practices and SSC flexibility are significant mediating variables between the BDA capabilities and SSC performance. The BDA is found to drive the implementation of CE practices. Further, CE practices are found to develop SSC flexibility with the BDA complementing these flexibilities.

PurposeThis study aims to identify and understand critical success factors for implementing and sustaining circular economy (CE) practices in manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). More precisely, this study examines the complex interplay between micro-, meso- and macro-level success factors that are deemed critical for implementing and sustaining CE practices.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a two-stage methodology that combines a comprehensive literature review and an interview study with 12 Swedish manufacturing SMEs that implement CE practices.FindingsThe study identifies and categorizes success factors for implementing and sustaining CE practices in manufacturing SMEs. Based on the findings, a holistic framework is proposed that takes into account multiple perspectives, i.e. at the micro, meso and macro levels. This framework enables a deeper understanding and thus a more nuanced discussion of the complexity inherent in the transition to a CE from the perspective of manufacturing SMEs.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the growing body of research on CE transition. By focusing on SMEs in particular, the paper adds the needed diversity to the study of CE practices and influencing factors at different levels.

This study investigates the extent to which circular economy (CE) practices are adopted within supply chains in the Brazilian context. An expert survey was conducted to assess eight critical factors for the integration of CE practices in supply chains. The collected data was analyzed using a modified version of the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), specifically the Fuzzy TOPSIS class. Sensitivity analyses were performed to validate the robustness of the results. The findings indicated that practices related to economic and risk management, cleaner production, top management support, and knowledge management were categorized as having medium maturity. Conversely, practices associated with governance, product development, infrastructure, and social and cultural changes are still in an early stage. This research provides insights for organizations by identifying areas of strength and areas requiring attention in the adoption of CE practices within Brazilian supply chains. Policymakers can use the findings to design targeted policies and incentives that encourage and facilitate the development of circularity in supply chains, thus promoting CE principles. This research highlights the importance of addressing specific factors related to CE practices within supply chains, providing a framework for further investigations and strategies to bridge the gap between CE and supply chain management. The findings suggest that there are social and cultural challenges associated with the adoption of CE practices, implying a need for awareness campaigns, education, and community involvement to drive positive social change and adoption of CE principles.

Purpose The excessive waste generation in construction highlights the importance of efficient waste management (WM) practices by incorporating novel technologies and concepts. Blockchain (BC) technology outperforms traditional information systems in WM by enabling transparency, traceability and effective data sharing which are crucial for establishing a circular economy (CE) in the construction industry. Past studies have been carried out considering the integration of BC, WM and CE, yet the synergy of the simultaneous integration of these three concepts remains unaddressed. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the potential of converging BC with CE to improve WM in the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach The study followed a qualitative approach. A qualitative Delphi expert survey was conducted in 3 rounds with 18 experts in the fields of BC, CE and construction waste management (CWM). Fifty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data were analysed using the content analysis method. Findings Integrating BC with CE to improve WM in construction was revealed to be possible using nine integration methods. Twenty enablers and 20 barriers were revealed and the applicability of these methods, enablers and barriers were separately identified for 8 WM practices in the construction industry. Originality/value In streamlining the link between BC and CE to improve CWM, a mind map framework was introduced to serve the industry with a detailed comprehension of how BC-enabled CE practices can be used to overcome the excessive waste generation of the construction industry.

Sustainable operations management has gained prominence in the world's industrial strategy, particularly in the manufacturing industry, due to the apprehension of the resources and the environment that the world is experiencing. Practices of circular economy (CE) with their focus on reuse, recycling, and remanufacturing, and low consumption provide a structural transition out of the conventional linear model of take-make-dispose. This study is a comparative research paper based on the analysis of the sustainable manufacturing practices using data about the 100 most sustainable corporations. The aim is to assess how the major international manufacturing corporations are applying the principles of the circular economy to their manufacturing process and governing systems. This paper lists some important data amongst the dataset, such as sustainability revenue percent, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) ratings, CEO compensation ratios, and measures of leadership diversity like women in the executive management and board representation. These variables are used as proxies of circularity, social responsibility, and ethical governance. Filtered data is refined on the basis that only corporations that deal with manufacturing industries are covered, including industries dealing with electronics, waste management, and materials manufacturing. The analysis of descriptive analytics and visualizations (bar charts, scatter plots, and box plots) provides evidence of a lot of differences in circular economy performance across the manufacturing sub-sectors. The waste management and electronics companies increase the percentage of revenue on sustainability and have better ESG ratings, whereas many companies need to improve the gender diversity situation. There are also analytical findings indicating that there might be a relationship between inclusive leadership and a high level of performance in sustainability. The results show that although most manufacturing companies in the world are on the path to becoming circular, the amount of implementation is still variable and tends to vary with the industry, even geographical region, and policy maturity within the company. The challenges relate to technological constraints, an unbalanced regulatory framework, and investments in the sphere of circular infrastructure and disclosures. The contribution of this study to the scholarship is the presentation of empirical, comparative information on the practice of the circular economy in the manufacturing industries using a global perspective. It also provides strategic solutions on how sustainability performance can be improved by associating executive compensation with ESG targets, encouraging diversity at the leadership level, and incorporating circularity in designing the lifecycle of products. This study accentuates the importance of sustainable operating management in contributing to the realization of world climate objectives, enhancing firm responsibility, and long-threatened industrial stability.

Circular economy practices and sustainable performance: A meta-analysis