Abstract:The UN 2030 agenda of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) envisions a future of inclusive equity, justice and prosperity within planetary boundaries, and places an important emphasis on ending poverty (SDG 1) and on sustainable economic growth (SDG 8). Target 8.4 refers to the need to improve global resource efficiency in consumption and production, and decoupling economic growth from environmental degradation, the ultimate goal of a sustainable circular economy. Here, we explore the potential of the transiti… Show more
“…Resource consumption has grown faster than population growth, indicating that it is driven not by population growth but by the current model of economic development based on consumerism and mass industrial production. Society's focus on producing and consuming as cheaply as possible has created the linear economy model in which objects are briefly used and then discarded as waste [24]. Transitions should not only be understood as global phenomena, but also as uneven and developments in specific technologies, following different paths in different national and regional contexts and settings over time [25].…”
Concern for sustainable development and environmental protection has become increasingly important in the business world in recent decades. Looking for business professionals who are currently implementing sustainable development practices and the principles of the circular economy might be the most meaningful approach to the time and the space we are all heading towards in the future. This study seeks to identify the motivations, obstacles, strategies, and perspectives of specialists in the integration of the circular and sustainable economy model in businesses in the Romanian context. It focuses on providing a solid basis for promoting sustainable practices and policies in the business environment, considering theoretical elements and the perspectives and experiences of specialists. In our research, qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted among diverse specialists in Romanian businesses to gain insight. The research findings indicate consistent requests for consumer education and involvement in the circular economy process and for political support and funding sources for investments in assistive technologies. This article presents viewpoints from Romanian experts, entrepreneurs, and business decision-makers on the circular economy and sustainability. Decision-makers prioritize developing and promoting sustainable products and services, emphasizing the use of recycled materials, and using renewable energy for their activities. The presented results highlight the situation in Romania and implicitly make a significant contribution to the scientific knowledge in this field. Although the study’s qualitative nature limits its generalizability, it offers valuable insights and suggests potential directions for future research on aspects related to the circular economy and sustainability.
“…Resource consumption has grown faster than population growth, indicating that it is driven not by population growth but by the current model of economic development based on consumerism and mass industrial production. Society's focus on producing and consuming as cheaply as possible has created the linear economy model in which objects are briefly used and then discarded as waste [24]. Transitions should not only be understood as global phenomena, but also as uneven and developments in specific technologies, following different paths in different national and regional contexts and settings over time [25].…”
Concern for sustainable development and environmental protection has become increasingly important in the business world in recent decades. Looking for business professionals who are currently implementing sustainable development practices and the principles of the circular economy might be the most meaningful approach to the time and the space we are all heading towards in the future. This study seeks to identify the motivations, obstacles, strategies, and perspectives of specialists in the integration of the circular and sustainable economy model in businesses in the Romanian context. It focuses on providing a solid basis for promoting sustainable practices and policies in the business environment, considering theoretical elements and the perspectives and experiences of specialists. In our research, qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted among diverse specialists in Romanian businesses to gain insight. The research findings indicate consistent requests for consumer education and involvement in the circular economy process and for political support and funding sources for investments in assistive technologies. This article presents viewpoints from Romanian experts, entrepreneurs, and business decision-makers on the circular economy and sustainability. Decision-makers prioritize developing and promoting sustainable products and services, emphasizing the use of recycled materials, and using renewable energy for their activities. The presented results highlight the situation in Romania and implicitly make a significant contribution to the scientific knowledge in this field. Although the study’s qualitative nature limits its generalizability, it offers valuable insights and suggests potential directions for future research on aspects related to the circular economy and sustainability.
“…Dematerialization, servitization, collaborative consumption, and a shift from ownership to access are potential strategies to restructure the economics of consumption, accelerate decoupling, and create a circular economy that delivers benefits for all. However, their deployment without policy steer, public support, and appropriate technology developments could be a missed opportunity for ensuring sustainable economic growth aligned with environmental stewardship and social development (Voulvoulis, 2022).…”
Section: Future Prospects and Potential Developments In Sustainable C...mentioning
This study presents a comprehensive analysis of zero-waste initiatives and circular economy (CE) models in the United States, aiming to understand their contribution to sustainable consumption. Employing a systematic literature review methodology, the study sourced data from academic journals, government reports, and industry publications, focusing on literature from the year 2015 to 2023. The search strategy involved a combination of keywords related to zero-waste, circular economy, and sustainable consumption in the U.S. context. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to ensure the relevance and quality of the selected literature, which was then subjected to thematic synthesis for data analysis. Key findings indicate that the evolution of zero-waste and CE concepts in the U.S. is driven by increasing environmental awareness, leading to innovative waste reduction strategies and sustainable consumption models. Despite significant environmental, economic, and social benefits, challenges such as institutional barriers, financial constraints, and technological hurdles persist. The study highlights the crucial role of standards, policies, and regulatory frameworks in facilitating the adoption of zero-waste and CE practices. Successful case studies underscore the importance of community involvement and stakeholder engagement. The study recommends that policymakers develop supportive legislative frameworks, businesses integrate sustainable practices into their operations, and communities actively participate in waste reduction efforts. Future research should focus on the long-term impacts of these practices and the role of emerging technologies. The transition to zero-waste and CE models is essential for sustainable development, requiring concerted efforts from all stakeholders.
“…2 In this context, academia, industry, and policymakers are joining efforts to transition from of our current linear fossil-based economy into a sustainable circular economy. 3,4 The inherently renewable and biodegradable bio-based polymers play a pivotal role in the ecological transition and sustainable development. 5,6 In this context, cellulose and chitin, structural polysaccharides widely found in living organisms such as plants, algae, tunicates, crustacean exoskeletons, insects, and fungi, are being exploited as sustainable technological materials.…”
Section: Introductionmentioning
confidence: 99%
“…These global threats are exacerbated by 36.1 GtCO 2 being released into the atmosphere every year from the extraction and consumption of fossil fuels . In this context, academia, industry, and policymakers are joining efforts to transition from of our current linear fossil-based economy into a sustainable circular economy. , The inherently renewable and biodegradable bio-based polymers play a pivotal role in the ecological transition and sustainable development. , …”
In times when transitioning from a linear carbonintensive economy into a sustainable circular economy is an urgent need, bio-based nanoparticles such as nanochitins are attracting an increasing interest for value-added products. Fungal chitin nanofibril (ChNF) isolation show a reduced CO 2 footprint over crustacean shell-derived nanochitin, which requires harsh chemical treatments. However, the viability and practical implementation of ChNFs from fungi may depend on the manufacturing costs. Accordingly, here we assess the economic feasibility of a pilot-scale fungi-derived ChNF isolation comprising chitin nanofibrils with covalently bonded β-glucans. Required capital investment, production costs, minimum product selling prices, and payback periods for ChNF isolation are obtained considering a refinery plant treating 3000 kg of fresh mushroom daily and located in Bilbao, north of Spain. The proposed business model offers clear signals of technical, economic, and commercial viability for the pilot industrial plant format, under relatively conservative technical assumptions. In particular, a total capital investment for a pilot-scale biorefinery is estimated at ∼1.10 M€ for ChNFs, where a working capital of ∼380 K€ indicates good short-term financial health of a company. A payback period of 11.3 years with estimated minimum selling price of 212 €•kg −1 for the year 2024 is obtained, which can be lowered to 106 €•kg −1 in a scenario where the chitin extraction yield is doubled. This value remains below the selling value of nanocelluloses from leading manufacturers, making ChNFs from fungi a competitive alternative to develop novel materials addressing the challenges of renewability, environmental sustainability, and functional properties. In particular, the ease of isolation with minimal use of chemicals is a significant economic advantage, although the low yield is a noteworthy drawback for profit after taxes. A sensitivity analysis is conducted by considering five scenarios that can occur upon biorefinery operation. These results highlight the bright future of fungal nanochitin to meet market demands on sustainable materials, especially in value-added applications such as energy storage and biomedicine, where high selling prices are affordable. As applications of fungal nanomaterials are gaining momentum, the techno-economic assessment here shown provides cues for the practical implementation of nanochitin into a sustainable society based on a circular bioeconomy.
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