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Non-technical barriers to (and drivers for) the circular economy through industrial symbiosis: A practical input

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  • Rachel Lombardi

Abstract

Industrial symbiosis is the use by one company or sector of resources (materials, energy, water, logistics, capacity) from another, thus reducing waste generation while delivering economic, environmental and social benefits. At all levels in Europe - local, regional, national, and the EU itself - industrial symbiosis is increasingly seen as a strategic tool to help deliver the circular economy. At least 20 Member States since 2009 have held awareness raising and implementation activities. Facilitated programs in 15 EU countries are engaging over 20,000 organisations in industrial symbiosis, and others have self-directing activity. Nevertheless, less than 0.1% of the 26 million active enterprises in Europe are known to be active in industrial symbiosis. Facilitator and company surveys and interviews on industrial symbiosis opportunities have identified non-technical barriers to industrial symbiosis: the lack of information is clearly identified as a barrier by companies, and addressing this is a large part of a facilitator role. Both companies and facilitators identify regulation, organisational and governance issues as potential barriers, usually addressed through facilitator support. Companies typically do not need help establishing the commercial viability of industrial symbiosis opportunities.

Suggested Citation

  • Rachel Lombardi, 2017. "Non-technical barriers to (and drivers for) the circular economy through industrial symbiosis: A practical input," ECONOMICS AND POLICY OF ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2017(1-2), pages 171-189.
    • Handle: RePEc:fan:efeefe:v:html10.3280/efe2017-001009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. D. Rachel Lombardi & Peter Laybourn, 2012. "Redefining Industrial Symbiosis," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 16(1), pages 28-37, February.
    2. Gabriel B. Grant & Thomas P. Seager & Guillaume Massard & Loring Nies, 2010. "Information and Communication Technology for Industrial Symbiosis," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 14(5), pages 740-753, October.
    3. Artem Golev & Glen D. Corder & Damien P. Giurco, 2015. "Barriers to Industrial Symbiosis: Insights from the Use of a Maturity Grid," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 19(1), pages 141-153, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. João Azevedo & Inês Ferreira & Rui Dias & Cristina Ascenço & Bruno Magalhães & Juan Henriques & Muriel Iten & Fernando Cunha, 2021. "Industrial Symbiosis Implementation Potential—An Applied Assessment Tool for Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-16, January.
    2. Tian Yang & Changhao Liu & Raymond P. Côté & Jinwen Ye & Weifeng Liu, 2022. "Evaluating the Barriers to Industrial Symbiosis Using a Group AHP-TOPSIS Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-30, June.
    3. Andrea Cecchin & Roberta Salomone & Pauline Deutz & Andrea Raggi & Laura Cutaia, 2021. "What Is in a Name? The Rising Star of the Circular Economy as a Resource-Related Concept for Sustainable Development," Circular Economy and Sustainability,, Springer.
    4. Luca Fraccascia & Alessandra Sabato & Devrim Murat Yazan, 2021. "An industrial symbiosis simulation game: Evidence from the circular sustainable business development class," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(6), pages 1688-1706, December.
    5. Emilia Faria & Armando Caldeira-Pires & Cristiane Barreto, 2021. "Social, Economic, and Institutional Configurations of the Industrial Symbiosis Process: A Comparative Analysis of the Literature and a Proposed Theoretical and Analytical Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-25, June.
    6. Daniela C. A. Pigosso & Andreas Schmiegelow & Maj Munch Andersen, 2018. "Measuring the Readiness of SMEs for Eco-Innovation and Industrial Symbiosis: Development of a Screening Tool," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-25, August.
    7. Aurélien Bruel & Radu Godina, 2023. "A Smart Contract Architecture Framework for Successful Industrial Symbiosis Applications Using Blockchain Technology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-18, March.
    8. Hélène Cervo & Stéphane Ogé & Amtul Samie Maqbool & Francisco Mendez Alva & Lindsay Lessard & Alexandre Bredimas & Jean-Henry Ferrasse & Greet Van Eetvelde, 2019. "A Case Study of Industrial Symbiosis in the Humber Region Using the EPOS Methodology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-32, December.
    9. Amtul Samie Maqbool & Francisco Mendez Alva & Greet Van Eetvelde, 2018. "An Assessment of European Information Technology Tools to Support Industrial Symbiosis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, December.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • L23 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Organization of Production
    • L14 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Transactional Relationships; Contracts and Reputation

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