Shifting from a traditional linear to an alternative circular paradigm can foster economic growth and supportsustainable capital renewal in the European Union. This topic has attracted growing academic interest in recentyears. However, the evaluation of case studies regarding Circular Economy implementation, strategies, andpractices (at all levels) is still in its infancy. With the aim of bridging this gap, this paper analyses, through asystematic review of case studies, the implementation of circular practices in all economic sectors and industriesof the European Union (from 2015 until April 2023). To this end, this research uses a framework of circularstrategies built considering the European Union political framework. Based on this analysis, it can be deducedthat recycling was the most used circular strategy (24.2%) to reintegrate materials into the economic system andreduce the use of raw materials (18.9%), demonstrating the existence of virtuous circles in the European Union’seconomic sectors. The results show that the best performing industry, in terms of circular strategies, is Food andBeverage (17.92%), within the Agri-food economic sector. While the economic sector with the least number ofcircular strategies (7.86%) is Capital Equipment. This paper proposes several tools for Circular Economyimplementation that could lead to future research and support business, policymakers, and the scientificcommunity

The circular economy implementation at the European Union level. Past, present and future

Giuseppe Di Vita
Co-primo
;
2023-01-01

Abstract

Shifting from a traditional linear to an alternative circular paradigm can foster economic growth and supportsustainable capital renewal in the European Union. This topic has attracted growing academic interest in recentyears. However, the evaluation of case studies regarding Circular Economy implementation, strategies, andpractices (at all levels) is still in its infancy. With the aim of bridging this gap, this paper analyses, through asystematic review of case studies, the implementation of circular practices in all economic sectors and industriesof the European Union (from 2015 until April 2023). To this end, this research uses a framework of circularstrategies built considering the European Union political framework. Based on this analysis, it can be deducedthat recycling was the most used circular strategy (24.2%) to reintegrate materials into the economic system andreduce the use of raw materials (18.9%), demonstrating the existence of virtuous circles in the European Union’seconomic sectors. The results show that the best performing industry, in terms of circular strategies, is Food andBeverage (17.92%), within the Agri-food economic sector. While the economic sector with the least number ofcircular strategies (7.86%) is Capital Equipment. This paper proposes several tools for Circular Economyimplementation that could lead to future research and support business, policymakers, and the scientificcommunity
2023
Circular economy, Circular economy implementation, CE value chain, Challenges, Barriers
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11769/586615
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