The ‘Human Sphere’ and the Figure of 8 as the Enabler of Circular Economy in Developing Countries: A Case Study

Abstract

This article is based on a circular economy (CE) case study in Llano Chico -Ecuador. Traditionally and according to Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the CE analyses the flows of matter and energy in order to close the loop of products through the specification of two spheres: biosphere and technosphere. However, this article highlights the importance of the 'humansphere', which is explained under the Human Development concept. The humansphere is explored in this case study where end of life tires (ELT) are reused in order to create a retaining wall for vulnerable spaces. Through this construction, the humansphere is analysed and with it, the participation of Llano Chico community as the work force and the receiver of knowledge transfer from academia, the participation of a ministry and a private company in the donation of ELT. This article sustains the importance of considering the humansphere in order to find all the opportunities hidden in the reuse of ELT and the development of inclusive CE business models. The ELT case study also brings to light a new area of debate in current CE academia: that the technological and biological sphere do not always function as independent cycles, but where the humansphere can draw an End of Life Product through one sphere and into the other. This is an eight-shaped figure of CE cycle.