The Implementation of Circular Economy: an analysis of the diversity of practices

Izquierdo Montfort, Josep Oriol [UCL] De Ronge, Yves [UCL] et al.

The implementation of circular economy can be not just a key to achieve a more sustainable development, but also a tool towards economic growth after the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the growing interest on circular business models and its potential, its implementation in practice is still understudied. Moreover, a successful transition towards a circular economy requires the involvement of key stakeholders in both its planification and implementation. However, research with a systemic perspective and the involvement of key stakeholders remains low. The present study aims to fill these research gaps by analysing the specific circular practices implemented by companies identified as success cases of circular economy implementation, together with the identification of the key stakeholders involved. To achieve it, the case studies elaborated by the Ellen Macarthur Foundation, a leading organization in this area, are analysed using a content analysis; and its findings are validated and complemented with a content analysis of the companies’ websites. This data is coded using the 10R Framework, that hierarchically identifies 10 circular strategies; and the stakeholder theory. Preliminary findings show that the biggest variety of circular practices belong to the reduce strategies, but that the majority of companies focus on recycling strategies. The most mentioned stakeholders are external ones, specially suppliers and customers. This paper contributes to the debate of circular economy transition, advancing both in the academic and the practical field, by portraying and hierarchically organizing specific practices that can be implemented by practitioners, and by identifying the key stakeholders involved in the transition