The circular potential of a Bio-District: indicators for waste management

Abstract

PurposeThis work aims to assess the potential of a Bio-District as a model for applying the circular economy concerning the waste scope. It aims to understand the capability of organic farms to manage waste with a circular perspective, starting with the use of indicators that directly or indirectly impact the waste scope.Design/methodology/approachThis study is based on previous work that identified and systematised the circular indicators of the agri-food sector within a dashboard. With this research as a basis, the indicators within the waste scope in the dashboard were extracted. Cross-linked indicators with an indirect connection to the waste scope were also systematised and tested in a case study. Primary and secondary data were used for the study. The primary data came from a semi-structured interview, and the secondary data were from official databases.FindingsThe work highlights two important results. The first allows the definition of a subclassification of indicators by product and organisation, extracting those with a cross-linked characteristic concerning the waste scope. Secondly, the indicators' application shows the farm's circular and waste valorisation potential within the Bio-District. The study also made it possible to test a new indicator, the “Potential Energy Biomass Recovery”, to measure the farm's potential to produce energy from waste.Originality/valueThis research proposes a new circular economy approach to evaluate waste management in the agri-food sector.

Sustainable and circular practices in the hotel industry in Southern Italy: opportunities, barriers and trends in food waste management

“…Such a need has been highlighted by previous studies (Poponi et al. , 2022, 2023; Ruggieri et al. , 2022), which discuss that the current system relies on a fragmented classification of indicators and there are no clear and consistent definitions of circular economy (Kirchherr et al.…”

“…Under the theoretical perspective, the present research highlights the need to identify harmonized methods for measuring sustainable and circular practices, considering that one of the main gaps in literature is the lack of comprehensive approaches offering consistent concepts, dimensions and criteria toward sustainability in hospitality (Ruiz Molina et al, 2022). Such a need has been highlighted by previous studies (Poponi et al, 2022(Poponi et al, , 2023Ruggieri et al, 2022), which discuss that the current system relies on a fragmented classification of indicators and there are no clear and consistent definitions of circular economy (Kirchherr et al, 2017). Hence, researchers should go in the direction of identifying quantitative and qualitative tools to measure sustainability performances.…”

Guest editorial: Circular economy in the agri-food, tourism and hospitality industries in the post-pandemic era

“…The definition of circular economy emphasizes the concept of end-of-life and the importance of intervening in waste management either at micro, meso or macro-level. Poponi et al (2024) have evaluated the potential of a bio-district as a model for applying the circular economy concerning the waste scope, with the purpose to understand the capability of organic farms to manage waste with a circular perspective. Moreover, the researchers have applied indicators that directly or indirectly measure the waste scope, testing a tentative new indicator, namely the "Potential Energy Biomass Recovery", which measures the farm's potential to produce energy from waste.…”

“…The definition of circular economy emphasizes the concept of end-of-life and the importance of intervening in waste management either at micro, meso or macro-level. Poponi et al . (2024) have evaluated the potential of a bio-district as a model for applying the circular economy concerning the waste scope, with the purpose to understand the capability of organic farms to manage waste with a circular perspective.…”

Challenges in the Application of Circular Economy Models to Agricultural By-Products: Pesticides in Spain as a Case Study

“…Therefore, a shift in the productive systems is urgent to improve their throughput. The establishment of Bio-Districts that implement agroecology, the improvement of aquaculture productivity or the re-valorization of agri-food by-products are some suggested solutions [ 4 , 5 ]. In fact, waste management has become a tough task with economic and environmental repercussions that have awakened international concern and resulted in a rise in alternative productive systems [ 2 , 5 ].…”