Circular economy

4.1 Introduction

Circular Economy explores the linear and open-ended features of modern economic systems by detailing how natural resources impact the economy by supplying inputs for production and consumption as well as functioning as a sink for outputs in the form of waste [57]. Within this concept, the planet is described as a closed, circular system with limited assimilation capacity, and is stated that the economy and the environment should coexist in harmony [57], [58]. This concept is often described as being restorative or regenerative by intention and design [59].

Circular Economy is a popular concept promoted by the EU, national governments and numerous businesses around the world that has been slowly gaining momentum since the 1970s [60], [61]. The main issue, however, is that the scientific content on this topic is not well-organised, meaning that Circular economy is currently seen as a collection of separate ideas from various fields, rather than an established scientific concept [62]. Although the words Circular Economy and sustainability are gaining popularity among academics, politicians and businessmen, the parallels and distinctions between the two ideas are still unclear, the link not being explicitly stated in the literature [59]. This distorts their conceptual boundaries and limits the usefulness of employing them in study and practice.

The practical applications of Circular Economy have grown to include various aspects and features related to industrial processes and economic systems, such as [58], [63]:

• Resource efficiency,
• Waste reduction,
• Employment creation at regional level,
• Dematerialisation of the industrial economy.

The ultimate goal of Circular Economy is closing loops in the industry and reduce waste to transform resources that have reached the end of their lives into resources for others [63]. The transition to a Circular Economy model will lead to an increase in the employment rate of around 4% and a reduction in the greenhouse gas emission of around 70% [63], [64].

Source: https://kenniskaarten.hetgroenebrein.nl/en/knowledge-map-circular-economy/what-is-the-definition-a-circular-economy/

2.2 Cradle to Cradle

Cradle-to-Cradle came as a solution of the transformation of human industry through ecologically intelligent design aimed to significantly reduce negative environmental impacts.

C2C is a concept of total recycling through design. The product is conceived so that the cost of recycling is lower than the cost of buying new material. It is at start a focus of a company to increase competitivity by reducing the costs and transforming a product orientated approach into a service platform. C2C is a circular paradigm in its essence with a redesign of the product (which becomes a service), a redesign of the production platform able to recycle, a redesign of the distribution and re-acquisition network and the development of value added services attached to a virtual product.

Circular Economy is a concept of company integration in the objective of reusing the waste of a company as a resource for another one. The issue with circular economy is that it belongs to the linear paradigm (vs the circular one) which intends to close a linear process with different specialized actors in charge of recycling. In this case companies will not redesign the product in order to leverage re-acquisition of the product and recycle everything  but create partnerships resulting mainly in finding a complementary revenue in the waste produced [65].

There is high confidence that in the near future Europe will face unprecedented negative environmental impacts such as:

• higher risk of inland flash floods, increased frequency of coastal flooding and erosion resulting from storms and sea level rising,
• Europe’s mountainous regions will face glacier retreat,
• winter tourism will be reduced along with snow cover,
• under high emissions scenarios, up to 60% of species will be lost by 2080,
• water availability, hydropower potential and crop productivity in general will be diminished,
• health risks resulting from heat waves and wildfire frequency are also projected to increase.

Cradle-to-Cradle rather than Cradle-to-Grave is a globally recognized measure for safer, more sustainable products made for the circular economy with a focus on remaking the way we make things.

Cradle-to-Cradle – a holistic, economic, industrial and social framework that seeks to create systems that are not only efficient but also essentially waste free – has a very inspiring motto: “Be beneficial to people, planet and profit rather than less bad.”

Source: https://mcdonough.com/cradle-to-cradle/

4.3 MVO Gids

MVO Gids Noord Nederland (EN: CSR Guide) is an entrepreneurial platform and a source of information and help for start-ups and organizations in the Netherlands that are actively involved in corporate social responsibility and work [66], [67]. The MVO Gids app’s major goal is to provide businesses the chance to promote themselves on sustainability, and it can assist organizations that work with youth learners in attracting and involving them in entrepreneurial education for a variety of purposes. Furthermore, the app aids in the development of sustainability consciousness, and members of working groups perceive more chances for sustainability in their organization [67].

The MVO Gids is developed by the CSR Alliance North Netherlands for entrepreneurs, with the aim to:

• find and connect,
• unlock information about sustainability,
• spot start-up companies that are actively working with Corporate Social Responsibility,
• using others’ best practices as an example,
• get an overview of who is doing what in the North with regard to sustainable entrepreneurial initiatives.

The main benefits for businesses registered in the MVO Gids:

1. make business image more sustainable,
2. marketing and communication CSR as a selling point,
3. use information in procurement and tenders,
4. internal sustainability awareness and proud employees,
5. generate business through companies in the directory,
6. strengthen and expand networks,
7. leverage Regional Community with National Exposure,
8. interaction with Vocational Education,
9. easier collaboration with other entrepreneurs,
10. development and innovation in line with UN goals.

The quality of the CSR guide is guaranteed by the fact that only businesses with a CSR certificate are accepted [68]. On the other hand, as CSR certificate is a basic certificate, it can be also achieved by small organizations and young start-ups. In the Netherlands, the CSR certificates are awarded by the CSR alliance and can be requested via the web portal MVOgids.nl.

The good practice on circular economy, social entrepreneurship and the MVO gids app can help create a better link between start-ups and entrepreneurial education for different reasons [66]. First of all, the idea of the app represents a good tool to share information on other businesses and entrepreneurial ideas, developing awareness on business opportunities through the mobile phone, a simple and ubiquitous tool that is part of our everyday life. As a consequence, users can learn about, and be inspired from the positive values involved in these companies, which share their nature of social entrepreneurships. Last but not least, the idea of circular economy can be used to attract the target group toward a growing and ecological market [67].

Source: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nl.appstones.mvo&hl=en&gl=US