Indicators for resource recovery monitoring within the circular economy model implementation in the wastewater sector

Preisner, Michał; Smol, Marzena; Horttanainen, Mika; Deviatkin, Ivan; Havukainen, Jouni; Kļaviņš, Māris; Ozola-Davidāne, Rūta; Kruopienė, Jolita; Szatkowska, Beata; Appels, Lise; Houtmeyers, Sofie; Roosalu, Kati

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.114261

Cited by 59 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 91 publications

(102 reference statements)

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“…In a context of growing pressures over water resources, reclaimed water reuse emerges as a promising solution for irrigation agriculture that may result in a more sustainable use of water resources [1]. In addition to preserving freshwaters, reclaimed water can provide supply reliability and contribute to nutrient recycling and circular economy [2,3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using reclaimed water to cope with water scarcity: an alternative for agricultural irrigation in Spain

Ballesteros

Ferrer

Esteve

et al. 2022

Environ. Res. Lett.

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In water-stressed agricultural regions, reuse of reclaimed water has emerged as a promising alternative that improves supply reliability, alleviates water scarcity and contributes to circular economy. The European Union has recently launched several initiatives to facilitate the adoption of water reuse for irrigation. However, its adoption is still far below its potential in most areas. This is the case of the Western La Mancha aquifer, in central Spain, where reclaimed water reuse is considered an alternative source to groundwater that may contribute to reduce overexploitation. A stakeholder-based Fuzzy Cognitive Map (FCM) was developed to provide insights into the current situation of reclaimed water reuse in this area, as well as to explore the outcomes of different simulated scenarios (cost recovery, agricultural transformation, social awareness and political will increase). The FCM-based dynamic simulations showed that political will increase would generate the highest increase of reclaimed water reuse in agriculture in the study area, providing the highest increase of water reuse in agriculture. Agricultural extensification and increased social awareness delivered similar positive outcomes, however, only public awareness campaigns would increase water reuse, with agricultural extensification outcomes being more oriented towards the reduction of water abstractions and pollution. The cost recovery scenario was the only one that resulted in non-desired changes, mainly caused by reduced farmers’ income due to higher costs of reclaimed water. Finally, the analysis also evidenced the key role that the newly enacted EU Water Reuse Regulation may play in promoting reclaimed water use, even reversing the negative outcomes of the cost recovery scenario.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using reclaimed water to cope with water scarcity: an alternative for agricultural irrigation in Spain

Ballesteros

Ferrer

Esteve

et al. 2022

Environ. Res. Lett.

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“…Another aspect of using treated wastewater to irrigate crops in agriculture that deserves special attention due to its relevance and great potential is its contribution to the circular economy (CE), since the process of treating wastewater enhances its shift from waste to resource through reusing and recycling [35,36]. As a very important element in the process towards the implementation of the CE model is enabling waste management through sustainable practices, considering treated wastewater within the framework of CE has a fundamental role because of the high number of interconnections between CE and sustainability, which result in an integrated approach [37].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Farmers’ Attitudes towards Irrigating Crops with Reclaimed Water in the Framework of a Circular Economy

et al. 2022

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In a global situation where water constraints are a daily concern and expected to worsen in the upcoming years, finding new water alternatives to guarantee its supply is of critical importance. Against this background, reclaimed water has proved to be a sustainable alternative that recycles wastewater from a circular economy approach, thus enhancing water availability for key sectors such as agriculture. In such a context where public policies should encourage the implementation of this sustainable resource that helps reduce climate change by allowing wastewater reuse, there is too often a lack of knowledge of farmers’ perceptions, thus resulting in them being ineffective. In this sense, studying and analyzing agriculturalists’ perceptions is of interest for the development of appropriate policies that truly foster reclaimed water use in agriculture and enhance its shift from waste to resource. For this research 231 farmers, both long-time users of reclaimed water and non-users, were surveyed to find common and differing attitudes and perceptions. Results show how once farmers start irrigating their crops with this alternative resource there is a marked improvement in their opinion. The high price is the most widespread barrier, which can be tempered with public subsidies that absorb part of this cost. The insights obtained from this research may be of interest to other regions, especially for those in arid and semi-arid climates where water scarcity is a critical problem and sustainability a growing concern.

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“…Lazell [18], do Carmo Stangherlin and de Barcellos [19] have highlighted the food consumption phase and barriers to understanding sustainable food waste management. Significant environmental effects have been observed during the food processing, sales and distribution phases [20][21][22]. Thus, a study is required to identify the barriers and motivators for the CE principles and their impacts on the environment and economic sustainability.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stakeholder Pressure Engaged with Circular Economy Principles and Economic and Environmental Performance

et al. 2022

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The study aims to investigate the impacts of internal and external stakeholder pressures on the adoption of circular economy (CE) principles. The study explores the primary barriers to and causes (external or internal stakeholder pressures) of CE’s transition across Mexico and explores the effects of stakeholder pressures (internal and external) on the adoption of CE principles on economic and environmental performance. For this, data were collected from 433 respondents using a structured questionnaire. For analysis, the study used the PLS-SEM technique to examine internal and external stakeholders as barriers and motivators of economic and environmental performance through CE principles. Both the structural model and the measurement model were assessed. As well as mediation analysis, the direct and indirect effects were determined. The study found that economic (β = 0.178, p = 0.000) and environmental performance (β = 0.233, p = 0.000) is affected by most external stakeholders through the adoption of circular economy principles. Although the internal stakeholders don’t affect the environmental performance (β = 0.040, p = 0.492), with the adoption of circular economy principles mediating the relationship, internal stakeholders encourage environmental performance (β = 0.201, p = 0.000). The study motivates the public, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the government to adopt CE principles for the achievement of economic and environmental performance and participation in the sustainable development agenda.

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Indicators for resource recovery monitoring within the circular economy model implementation in the wastewater sector

Cited by 59 publications

References 91 publications

Using reclaimed water to cope with water scarcity: an alternative for agricultural irrigation in Spain

Using reclaimed water to cope with water scarcity: an alternative for agricultural irrigation in Spain

Farmers’ Attitudes towards Irrigating Crops with Reclaimed Water in the Framework of a Circular Economy

Stakeholder Pressure Engaged with Circular Economy Principles and Economic and Environmental Performance

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