Circular Economy in China: Translating Principles into Practice

Pesce, Marco; Tamai, Ilaria; Guo, Dan; Critto, Andrea; Brombal, Daniele; Wang, Xiaohui; Cheng, Hongguang; Marcomini, Antonio

doi:10.3390/su12030832

Cited by 59 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 84 publications

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“…However, since 1987, sustainability, in relation to businesses, has taken on the sense of being careful with the use of natural resources, beyond the relative scarcity expressed through prices [10]. There is also now a certain circularity in the use of these resources that refers to tasks not only of recycling but of transformation [11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Concept of Sustainability on Social Media: A Social Listening Approach

2020

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The concept of sustainability has gone far beyond the issues of the sustainable management of natural and environmental resources. Nowadays, sustainability is part of the social sciences in a different way. The aim of this research was dual. Firstly, we analyzed the different contexts and areas of knowledge where this concept is used in society by using social listening on Twitter, one of the most popular social networks today. The sentiments of these conversations were rated to assess whether the feelings and perceptions of these conversations on the social network were positive or negative regarding the use of the concept. Also, we tested if these perceptions about the topic were attuned to other more formal fields, such as scientific research, or strategies followed nationally or internationally by agencies and organizations related to sustainability. The method used on this first part of the research consisted of an analysis of 15,000 tweets collected from Twitter using natural language processing (NLP) for clustering the main areas of knowledge of topics where the concept of sustainability was used, and the sentiment of these conversations on the social network. Secondly, we mapped the social network of users who generated or spread content regarding sustainability on Twitter within the period of observation. Social network analysis (SNA) focuses on the taxonomy of the network and its dynamics and identifies the most relevant players in terms of generation of conversation and also their referrers who spread their messages worldwide. For this purpose, we used Gephi, an open source software used for network analysis and visualization, that allows for the exploration and visualization of large networks of any kind, in depth. The findings of this research are new, not only because of the mix of technology and methods used for extracting data from Twitter and analyzing them from different perspectives, but also because they show that social listening is a powerful method for analyzing relevant social phenomena. Listening on social networks can be used more effectively than other more traditional processes to gather data that are more costly and time consuming and lack the momentum and spontaneity of digital conversations.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Concept of Sustainability on Social Media: A Social Listening Approach

2020

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“…The study evaluated the CE concept, as well as its limitations, in terms of environmental sustainability. Pesce et al identified the basic drivers and barriers to implementing CE principles at the corporate micro level and the organization of CE principles [11]. Beyond these examples, many other studies have considered specific CE cases [12][13][14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A paradigm shift in sustainability: from lines to circles

Morone

Yilan

2020

Acta Innovations

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The concept of sustainability is attracting great attention as societies become increasingly aware of the environmental consequences of their actions. One of the most critical challenges that humankind is facing is the scarcity of resources, which are expected to reach their limits in the foreseeable future. Associated with this, there is increasing waste generated as a consequence of rapid growth in the world population (particularly in urban areas) and a parallel rise in global income. To cope with these problems, a linear strategy has been applied to increase efficiency by reducing the use of materials and energy in order to lessen environmental impacts. However, this cradle to grave approach has proven inadequate, due to a lack of attention to several economic and social aspects. A paradigm shift is thus required to re-think and innovate processes (as early as in the design phase) in such a way that materials and energy are used more effectively within a closed-loop system. This strategy, known as the cradle to cradle approach, relies on the assumption that everything is a resource for something else since no waste is ever generated in nature. In line with the cradle to cradle approach, the bio-inspired circular economy concept aims at eco-effectiveness, rather than eco-efficiency. While the circular economy has neither a confirmed definition nor a standardized methodology, it nonetheless carries significant importance, since it “is restorative and regenerative by design and aims to keep products, components, and materials at their highest utility and value at all times, distinguishing between technical and biological cycles,” in accordance with the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Despite some controversial opinions that “circles are not spirals, and for growth to occur, spirals with ever-increasing radii are required,” the circular economy concept is taking a central role in the sustainable development debate and, for this reason, deserves attention. The aim of this paper is to shed light on this debate, pointing out the main features of the emerging circular paradigm along with sustainability transition theories and circularity evaluation tools.

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“…CE also attests to boost an economy development pattern harmonious with the environment (Murphy & Gouldson, 2000). Additionally, the public generally regards CE as an alternative form of economic mode aiming at decoupling global economic development from the finite resource consumption (Pesce et al, 2020). The essence of a CE economy is to minimize the consumption of resources and environmental costs to maximize economic benefits.…”

Section: Circular Economymentioning

confidence: 99%

An Overview of Circular Economy in China: How the Current Challenges Shape the Plans for the Future

Feng

Lam

2021

The Chinese Economy

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Since the Circular Economy Promotion Law of People's Republic of China came into force in 2009, the concept of circular economy (CE) has gained a rising attention from governments and researchers. Policy makers, companies and researchers have started to establish different sets of principles and strategies for adoption. This paper introduces the CE within China's economy background and reviews the drivers to adopt and facilitate its CE. It integrates several current CE practices in China and conducts an analysis on the recycling rate from the government official reports that show China has made some progress in recycling industrial tangible waste and major renewable resources such as iron and steel with remaining challenges and barriers. Further analysis suggests that China requires a more systematic approach to promote CE by individuals, organizations and the nation.

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Circular Economy in China: Translating Principles into Practice

Cited by 59 publications

References 84 publications

The Concept of Sustainability on Social Media: A Social Listening Approach

The Concept of Sustainability on Social Media: A Social Listening Approach

A paradigm shift in sustainability: from lines to circles

An Overview of Circular Economy in China: How the Current Challenges Shape the Plans for the Future

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