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Defining and Measuring the Circular Economy: A Mathematical Approach

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  • García-Barragán, Juan F.
  • Eyckmans, Johan
  • Rousseau, Sandra

Abstract

The circular economy literature lacks unambiguous definitions. We argue that a convenient solution to this problem consists of defining the circular economy as a function of a metric, departing from a well-defined material flow and value system. In particular, we propose a metric that is derived from maximizing the value to society of materials used in the production of commodities that provide services to consumers. Our metric can accommodate for recycling but also for alternative strategies like lifetime extension and new business models that intensify the productivity of commodities. Following our methodology, we provide unambiguous definitions for linear economy, circular economy, and circular economic growth.

Suggested Citation

  • García-Barragán, Juan F. & Eyckmans, Johan & Rousseau, Sandra, 2019. "Defining and Measuring the Circular Economy: A Mathematical Approach," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 369-372.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:157:y:2019:i:c:p:369-372
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2018.12.003
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    Cited by:

    1. Cris Garcia-Saravia Ortiz-de-Montellano & Yvonne Meer, 2022. "A Theoretical Framework for Circular Processes and Circular Impacts Through a Comprehensive Review of Indicators," Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Springer;Global Institute of Flexible Systems Management, vol. 23(2), pages 291-314, June.
    2. Ioannis E. Nikolaou & Nikoleta Jones & Alexandros Stefanakis, 2021. "Circular Economy and Sustainability: the Past, the Present and the Future Directions," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    3. Sergio Cappucci & Serena Nappi & Andrea Cappelli, 2022. "Green Public Areas and Urban Open Spaces Management: New GreenCAL Tool Algorithms and Circular Economy Implications," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-25, June.
    4. Bongers, Anelí & Casas, Pablo, 2022. "The circular economy and the optimal recycling rate: A macroeconomic approach," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    5. Hsieh, Chung-Chi & Lathifah, Artya, 2022. "Ordering and waste reuse decisions in a make-to-order system under demand uncertainty," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 303(3), pages 1290-1303.
    6. Francisco Salas-Molina & Juan Antonio Rodr'iguez Aguilar & Filippo Bistaffa, 2020. "Shared value economics: an axiomatic approach," Papers 2006.00581, arXiv.org.
    7. Oana Dobre-Baron & Alina Nițescu & Dorina Niță & Cătălin Mitran, 2022. "Romania’s Perspectives on the Transition to the Circular Economy in an EU Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-26, April.
    8. Davide Viaggi & Matteo Zavalloni, 2021. "Bioeconomy and Circular Economy: Implications for Economic Evaluation in the Post-COVID Era," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    9. Md. Abdul Moktadir & Anil Kumar & Syed Mithun Ali & Sanjoy Kumar Paul & Razia Sultana & Jafar Rezaei, 2020. "Critical success factors for a circular economy: Implications for business strategy and the environment," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(8), pages 3611-3635, December.
    10. Chedrak Chembessi & Christophe Beaurain & Geneviève Cloutier, 2022. "Analyzing Technical and Organizational Changes in Circular Economy (CE) Implementation with a TOE Framework: Insights from a CE Project of Kamouraska (Quebec)," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    11. Marcos Ferasso & Tatiana Beliaeva & Sascha Kraus & Thomas Clauss & Domingo Ribeiro‐Soriano, 2020. "Circular economy business models: The state of research and avenues ahead," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(8), pages 3006-3024, December.
    12. Patrick Grüning & Justina Banionienė & Lina Dagilienė & Michael Donadelli & Marcus Jüppner & Renatas Kizys & Kai Lessmann, 2021. "The Quadrilemma of a Small Open Circular Economy Through a Prism of the 9R Strategies," Bank of Lithuania Working Paper Series 96, Bank of Lithuania.
    13. Barbara Fura & Małgorzata Stec & Teresa Miś, 2020. "Statistical Evaluation of the Level of Development of Circular Economy in European Union Member Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-23, December.
    14. Augusto Bianchini & Jessica Rossi & Marco Pellegrini, 2019. "Overcoming the Main Barriers of Circular Economy Implementation through a New Visualization Tool for Circular Business Models," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-33, November.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Recycling; Circular economy; Linear economy; Circular economic growth; Circular economy metric;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q53 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Air Pollution; Water Pollution; Noise; Hazardous Waste; Solid Waste; Recycling

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