A New Mindset for Circular Economy Strategies: Case Studies of Circularity in the Use of Water

Abstract

In a circular economy (CE) environment, it is important to make good and efficient use of resources and consider that the waste generated in production processes can be a valuable resource. However, the tools and methodologies conventionally used to analyze and evaluate production systems are based on techniques focused on linear production management models, where the primary purpose is to reduce the treatment and management of waste as much as possible and where productive and environmental efficiency are not evaluated simultaneously. Changing the paradigm from a linear to a circular economy requires that a new strategy for production systems be defined, one that makes production processes simultaneously circular and efficient (in terms of quality and productivity). In this context, a holistic vision is needed when implementing CE strategies. Therefore, the main aim of this paper is to provide evidence, through two real case studies in the use of water, that the management of this resource without considering systemic thinking may not be the most circular solution. Main results showed that improvements based on the traditional approach of reducing resource use cannot provide the best results if they are supported only by current process consumption without considering the circularity of resources.

Analysing the alignment between the Green Lean and Circular strategies: towards a Circular Lean approach

“…Waste reduction is considered one of the major benefits of adopting Green Lean strategies (Shokri and Li, 2020) as it leads companies towards cost reductions. Local reduction of the waste resource constitutes one of the main strategies pursued by companies over the past 100 years (Viles et al. , 2020).…”

“…However, these strategies were unsuitable for some processes because the amount of used water, already minimized to enhance process efficiency, was insufficient. Therefore, the strategies and indicators should take into account that by increasing water consumption throughout the entire process, companies could then recycle it and reduce its overall consumption (the valuable resource) (Viles et al. , 2020).…”

An Integrated Assessment Framework for Transition to Water Circularity

“…Accordingly, adequate policy settings need to be readjusted to provide more robust policy measures that ensure higher protection levels for the environment and health [18], and social interventions are needed [2]. Applying CE principles to the water sector thus requires a holistic vision to pick the most circular solution [19]. Opportunities and risks can occur from the water sector transition to a circular economy, and there is a need to assess them on a case-by-case basis [20].…”

Adapting a Circular Economy in Regional Strategies of the European Union

“…The systemic change of the CE operates at all levels: the micro level (products, companies, consumers), the meso level (ecosystems, industrial symbiosis) and the macro level (city, region, nation) [12][13][14][15][16]. To manage the CE transition on different systemic levels, CErelated measuring instruments need to be used.…”