Circular economy and the matter of integrated resources

Velenturf, Anne P.M.; Archer, Sophie A.; Gomes, Helena I.; Christgen, Beate; Lag-Brotons, Alfonso J.; Purnell, Phil

Abstract

A circular economy offers solutions for global sustainability challenges through the transition from the linear take-make-use-dispose economy to a better organisation of resources. However, realising a circular economy has ran into various biophysical constraints. Circular economy implementation is shaped by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's butterfly diagram that depicts ‘biological’ and ‘technical’ flows as separate cycles, subsequently interpreted as organic materials circulating in open loop systems via the environment and inorganic materials circulating in closed loop systems within society. Conversely, in our view, resource flows often contain tightly bound combinations of organic and inorganic materials either due to their natural composition or due to their technical design. Building on this observation, a new diagram is proposed that broadens the scope of the circular economy to cover extractive sectors and the return of materials from anthropogenic use to natural reserves, thereby reshaping the conceptual space within which solutions such as effective zero-waste-residue technologies, business models, and policies can be developed for the optimal management of integrated resources from a whole-system perspective. The diagram offers a realistic outlook on the biophysical limitations of circularity and endeavours to inspire discussion that supports the transition towards a sustainable circular economy.

Citation

Velenturf, A. P., Archer, S. A., Gomes, H. I., Christgen, B., Lag-Brotons, A. J., & Purnell, P. (2019). Circular economy and the matter of integrated resources. Science of the Total Environment, 689, 963-969. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.449

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 26, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Jun 27, 2019
• Publication Date: 2019-11
• Deposit Date: Jul 5, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 11, 2019
• Journal: Science of The Total Environment
• Print ISSN: 0048-9697
• Electronic ISSN: 1879-1026
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 689
• Pages: 963-969
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.449
• Keywords: Environmental Engineering; Waste Management and Disposal; Pollution; Environmental Chemistry
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/2272620
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969719330220
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Circular economy and the matter of integrated resources; Journal Title: Science of The Total Environment; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.449; Content Type: simple-article; Copyright: © 2019 Published by Elsevier B.V.