Evaluation of the Circular Economy in a Pitahaya Agri-Food Chain

Abstract

Over the last decade, the circular economy (CE) has attracted attention due to the current unsustainable model of production and consumption, which involves an increased resource use and depletion. Agri-food is one of the key sectors where action must be taken to ensure the transition to a more sustainable development model in line with circular economy principles. This study aims to evaluate the potential of implementing the circular economy in the pitahaya agri-food chain in Ecuador. The research was conducted from 2019 to 2021, during which a checklist was applied that included 91 items grouped into nine dimensions: source or supply of materials, design, manufacturing, economic circle, distribution and sales, consumption/use, 4R, remanufacturing, and sustainability. The level of the circular economy evaluated in the study was low (2.14 points out of 5). Therefore, improvements are required in the agri-food management of fruit cultivation and processing. Critical points were identified and strategies were proposed to increase competitiveness, improve environmental performance, and promote the implementation of the circular economy in this production chain. A final recommendation is to explore research on the concept of CE in the sector, mainly focused on the valorization of biomass as a contribution to the bioeconomy in order to contribute to the country’s growth within the context of sustainability.

Total productive maintenance and Industry 4.0 in a sustainability context: exploring the mediating effect of circular economy

“…, 2021). Therefore, CE practices can also be a strategic tool to offer competitiveness in an organisation (Diéguez-Santana, 2022). Also, CE practices have been highlighted as a possible sustainable development solution to fulfil the company's objectives (Ogunmakinde et al.…”

Improving the sustainability of fruit and vegetable supply chains in Ecuador : The role of organization and coordination

“…This perspective implies that supply chain members are seen as pivotal actors in sustainability performance. Further, I follow authors (e.g., Diéguez-Santana et al, 2022), who recognize the complexity of the organizational context of supply chains in Ecuador. Hernández et al (2007) observed that information varies by social and economic links and limits the ability to contract.…”

“…Hernández et al (2007) observed that information varies by social and economic links and limits the ability to contract. Diéguez-Santana et al (2022) found that increased off-farm work lowers participation in modern value chains, while Romero Granja & Wollni (2019) found that farmers engaged in off-farm work are more likely to participate in modern supply relationships. This supports a focus on the relational aspects surrounding supply chain members, including supply chain arrangements relevant to the transition of agri-food supply.…”

“…I expanded the knowledge of this behavioral intention by developing and applying an extended Theory of Planned Behavior model, based on Ajzen (1991). Several studies (e.g., Diéguez-Santana et al, 2022) suggest that circular economy strategies for the Ecuadorian FV sector can be accomplished through agro-industry synergies, the exchange of materials between chain stages, and the transformation of by-products at an inter-organizational level. I therefore extended the Theory of Planned Behavior model by adding a fourth dimension that includes inter-organizational coordination within the FV sector as a determinant of actors' intentions.…”

“…The study builds on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) developed by Ajzen (1991), which allows to analyze an actor's behavioral intention based on three dimensions: attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. Several studies (e.g., Diéguez-Santana et al, 2022;Vega-Quezada et al, 2017) suggest that circular economy strategies for the Ecuadorian FV sector can be accomplished through agro-industry synergies, the exchange of materials between chain stages, and the transformation of by-products at an inter-organizational level. Therefore, we extend the TPB model by adding a fourth dimension that includes inter-organizational coordination within the FV sector as a determinant of agents' intentions.…”