Circular economy (CE) describes a sustainable alternative approach to the current linear economy system. It is a growing topic among scholars, practitioners, and decisionmakers; it encompasses several concepts related to sustainability and requires the synergy of multiple actors for success, including higher education institutions (HEIs) as one of the most relevant ones. Current CE is based mostly on experiences in Global North developed countries, where the concept has gained great attention and has already influenced policies and strategies. However, CE in Latin American countries (LA countries) have not yet received such attention. Thus, some “unique problems” may remain unattended, and efforts to attain a CE are more likely to fail. Likewise, the study shows how the role of HEIs in CE in LA countries has not yet been fully explored, as the literature on this topic is scarce. This paper aims to address the main research question: what is the role of HEIs in the transition to a CE in Latin American countries? For this, a two-fold methodology was performed: (i) a systematic review which allows understanding of the trends of CE research in LA and the extent of the HEIs involvement; and (ii) a narrative review, which provides insights into the state of the art of CE research (gaps, drivers, and barriers) in LA countries and how this relates to HEIs. This approach drew implications for the role of HEIs in the implementation of CE in LA countries. HEIs are key actors in this transition, contributing in several ways to the CE by collaborating with industry, assisting policy makers, building human and intellectual capital, supporting community engagement projects, influencing campus culture, linking with international CE networks, and promoting an inclusive CE discourse. This research contributes to the CE body of knowledge from a Latin-American Global South perspective by discussing the factors that aim to define the role of HEIs in the CE transition in LA countries.
Meche’s House is a post-earthquake house construction in Pedro Carbo, Ecuador. This article is based on the analysis of this construction under a specific model called Circular Economy (CE). The CE analyzes the flows of matter and energy, ensuring that everything recirculates in the system, causing the so-called waste to become a nutrient for new processes. This article explains the traditional concept of CE, based on the butterfly model by Ellen MacArthur Foundation which inserts flows of matter and energy in two spheres: biosphere and technosphere. However, this article inserts and analyzes a new one: the human sphere. The system for the construction of Meche’s House is analyzed especially under the latter sphere, to understand the local people as a resource within the system flows, emphasizing the post-earthquake context.
This article is based on a circular economy (CE) case study in Llano Chico -Ecuador. Traditionally and according to Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the CE analyses the flows of matter and energy in order to close the loop of products through the specification of two spheres: biosphere and technosphere. However, this article highlights the importance of the 'humansphere', which is explained under the Human Development concept. The humansphere is explored in this case study where end of life tires (ELT) are reused in order to create a retaining wall for vulnerable spaces. Through this construction, the humansphere is analysed and with it, the participation of Llano Chico community as the work force and the receiver of knowledge transfer from academia, the participation of a ministry and a private company in the donation of ELT. This article sustains the importance of considering the humansphere in order to find all the opportunities hidden in the reuse of ELT and the development of inclusive CE business models. The ELT case study also brings to light a new area of debate in current CE academia: that the technological and biological sphere do not always function as independent cycles, but where the humansphere can draw an End of Life Product through one sphere and into the other. This is an eight-shaped figure of CE cycle.
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