Social Life Cycle Assessment of Product Value Chains Under a Circular Economy Approach: A Case Study in the Plastic Packaging Sector

Reinales, Diana; Zambrana-Vásquez, David; Saez-De-Guinoa, Aitana

doi:10.3390/su12166671

Cited by 23 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 31 publications

(17 reference statements)

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“…Additionally, assessment of end-of-life (EOL) consumer responsibility (e.g., separation and correct disposal of plastic materials), community engagement, local employment and development, and supplier relationships between value chain actors (e.g., recyclers, refineries, and plastic manufactures) are also key points when it comes to plastic EOL-related policies to lower environmental burden. Although there is not a consensus for social lifecycle assessments (S-LCAs), some preliminary studies − and guidelines should be a good starting point. − …”

Section: Lca Analyses Of Polyolefin Pyrolysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Critical Evaluation of Life Cycle Assessment Analyses of Plastic Waste Pyrolysis

Costa

Miranda

Pinto

2022

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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Pyrolysis is a chemical recycling technology that is experiencing fast development, is complementary to mechanical recycling, and is used to avoid incorrect disposal of postconsumer plastics (mainly polyolefins) and decrease environmental impacts related to the production of virgin plastic. However, although it has been widely accepted that pyrolysis can constitute an essential technology for the present and the future, discussions regarding the increase of scale, process sustainability, and other aspects needed for the circular economy must be carried out more thoroughly. For this reason, in this work, life cycle assessments (LCAs) of pyrolytic processes are discussed, showing that available LCA studies still lack holistic consistency and representativeness, based on a short review of previously published studies and proposed approaches and limitations.

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Section: Lca Analyses Of Polyolefin Pyrolysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Critical Evaluation of Life Cycle Assessment Analyses of Plastic Waste Pyrolysis

Costa

Miranda

Pinto

2022

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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“…Adopting sustainable consumption patterns will help achieve a sustainable economy and society (Tunn et al , 2019). In comparison to sustainability, the concept of circular economy is of recent origin and at a very nascent stage, especially in the context of emerging economies (Reinales et al , 2020). The concept of circular economy aims at closing the loop, eliminating wastage of resources and leakages in comparison to the objectives of sustainability which are open-ended and may change based on the interests of the stakeholders (Geissdoerfer et al , 2018).…”

Section: Sustainability Circular Economy and Innovationmentioning

confidence: 99%

How start-ups in emerging economies embrace circular business models and contribute towards a circular economy

Mehrotra

Jaladi

2022

JEEE

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Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the practices that start-ups in emerging economies can implement to design circular economy business models and how they can create and capture value from a circular economy business model. Design/methodology/approach The paper adopts a qualitative case method approach with semi-structured interviews with start-up founder promoters, its employees, its beneficiaries and its customers, conducted in two local Indian start-ups engaged in the manufacture of products and providing services that promote adoption of circular economy principles. Findings Analysis of the two business models reveals common patterns in building value proposition. The findings suggest that start-up ventures adopt an iterative approach to produce reusable and interlinked products and co-create with customers, vendors and local communities. They adopt mechanisms that can create, deliver and capture value while maintaining economic viability, and thus contribute towards micro- and macro-level benefits. Research limitations/implications This study maximizes the depth of the phenomenon under investigation by leveraging case study methodology. Future research opportunities could be found in quantitative studies to increase the generalizability of the findings of this paper. Practical implications The paper presents a theoretical model linking the circular business model design and deployment mechanisms that can be used by start-up entrepreneurs desirous of embracing circular economy principles and thus contribute towards environmental, economic and developmental goals in emerging economies. Social implications To accelerate the transition of adoption of circularity principles in emerging markets, start-up ventures could adopt circular business models that contribute towards achieving positive behavioural change. This can be achieved by integrating with different stakeholders in the value network such that they play a vital role in the process of value creation and delivery and benefit from the value captured. Originality/value An interdisciplinary approach that integrates the research streams of circular economy, and business model design has been pursued to identify the design and deployment mechanisms adopted in the circular business models of start-ups in real-world emerging economies’ context.

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“…For instance, Mesa and Ligthart [64] suggested a mathematical formula to evaluate the sustainability life cycle of CE through the Social Life Cycle, Life Cycle Costing and Environmental Life Cycle. Reinales et al [65] provided a methodology to evaluate the social impacts of alternative ways to utilize CE products; they developed a matrix based on SLCA and materiality analysis in order to identify the views of stakeholders regarding CE products.…”

Section: Social Orientation Of Circular Economymentioning

confidence: 99%

A Framework to Evaluate the Social Life Cycle Impact of Products under the Circular Economy Thinking

2022

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Today, the circular economy is regarded as a promising alternative for modern economies to preserve “virgin” natural resources for future generations by valorizing waste materials. The concept is also used to promote the goals of sustainable development, where, apart from the environmental dimension, the economic and social dimensions are also integrated. So far, the largest part of the related research has emphasized the environmental and economic dimensions, while little attention has been paid to the social dimension of circular economy. Thus, this paper develops a framework to evaluate the social impacts of circular products and materials throughout their life cycle, which is based on social life thinking, circular economy principles and strategies and social responsibility principles. Moreover, computational examples are presented to show the functionality and applicability of the proposed framework. Finally, critical points for future research are pinpointed in order to assist scholars in applying and improving such frameworks through case studies, helping them to better understand the social aspects of circular economy.

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Social Life Cycle Assessment of Product Value Chains Under a Circular Economy Approach: A Case Study in the Plastic Packaging Sector

Cited by 23 publications

References 31 publications

Critical Evaluation of Life Cycle Assessment Analyses of Plastic Waste Pyrolysis

Critical Evaluation of Life Cycle Assessment Analyses of Plastic Waste Pyrolysis

How start-ups in emerging economies embrace circular business models and contribute towards a circular economy

A Framework to Evaluate the Social Life Cycle Impact of Products under the Circular Economy Thinking

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