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Sustainability and the circular economy: A theoretical approach focused on e-waste urban mining

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  • Xavier, Lúcia Helena
  • Giese, Ellen Cristine
  • Ribeiro-Duthie, Ana Cristina
  • Lins, Fernando Antonio Freitas

Abstract

Reuse and recirculation of products and materials are the basis of the concept of the circular economy (CE). The CE is an innovative proposal that can result in positive impacts such as reduced demand for raw materials, reduced consumption of basic resources, and job creation, as well as preventing negative impacts resulting from the exploitation and processing of natural resources. Mining is infamous for its potential environmental impact, but mining waste from traditional mining (in the linear economy) may recover material through upcycling techniques, as can urban mining of industrial and post-consumer waste categories (in the circular economy). Urban mining, a form of closed-loop supply chain management, offers an attractive alternative to the management of waste electrical and electronic equipment (e-waste) and, at the same time, as a sustainable way to exploit mineral resources, reduces primary material intake and stimulates the circularity in the supply chain. The present study reviews the main CE solutions for e-waste management, highlighting the importance of recovering and classifying mineral material according to urban mining procedures.

Suggested Citation

  • Xavier, Lúcia Helena & Giese, Ellen Cristine & Ribeiro-Duthie, Ana Cristina & Lins, Fernando Antonio Freitas, 2021. "Sustainability and the circular economy: A theoretical approach focused on e-waste urban mining," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:74:y:2021:i:c:s0301420717305433
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2019.101467
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    5. Arumugam Sankaran & Arjun Krishna & Salini Kunnath, 2024. "Asymmetric effects of gross capital formation, foreign technology spillover and profit on employment in extractive industry: case evidence from nonmetallic mineral industries in India," Mineral Economics, Springer;Raw Materials Group (RMG);Luleå University of Technology, vol. 37(4), pages 809-825, December.
    6. Afees Oluwashina Noah & Oladipo Olalekan David, 2025. "Electronic Waste, Globalisation, and ICT Development: Insights from a Global Perspective," Virtual Economics, The London Academy of Science and Business, vol. 8(4), pages 82-103, December.
    7. T. Mahanth & C. R. Suryasekaran & S. G. Ponnambalam & Bathrinath Sankaranarayanan & Koppiahraj Karuppiah & Izabela Ewa Nielsen, 2023. "Modelling the Barriers to Circular Economy Practices in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu in Managing E-Wastes to Achieve Green Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-15, February.
    8. Patricia Guarnieri & Barbara de Oliveira Vieira & Giselle Cappellesso & Solange Alfinito & Lucio Camara e Silva, 2022. "Analysis of Habits of Consumers Related to e-Waste Considering the Knowledge of Brazilian National Policy of Solid Waste: A Comparison among White, Green, Brown and Blue Lines," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-19, September.
    9. Abderahman Rejeb & Karim Rejeb & John G. Keogh & Suhaiza Zailani, 2022. "Barriers to Blockchain Adoption in the Circular Economy: A Fuzzy Delphi and Best-Worst Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-23, March.
    10. Denter, Luisa, 2025. "Global circular economy: Reflections for a just transition," Schriften zu Wirtschaft und Soziales, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung e.V., Berlin, volume 29, number 321888.
    11. Marlon Copara & Angel Pilamunga & Fernando Ibarra & Silvia-Melinda Oyaque-Mora & Diana Morales-Urrutia & Patricio Córdova, 2025. "A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis for the Design of a Traceable and Sustainable Model for WEEE Information Management in Ecuador Based on the Circular Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-36, July.
    12. Yasanur Kayikci & Nazlican Gozacan‐Chase & Abderahman Rejeb, 2024. "Blockchain entrepreneurship roles for circular supply chain transition," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(2), pages 197-222, February.
    13. Zhou, Xiaoxiao & Zhao, Yongan & Zhao, Xin & Xu, Junwei & Smutka, Luboš & Bilan, Yuriy, 2024. "Mineral resource drivers in the global south: A case study of Australia," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    14. Alice Frantz Schneider & Margunn Aanestad & Tereza Cristina Carvalho, 2026. "Exploring barriers in the transition toward an established e-waste management system in Brazil: a multiple-case study of the formal sector," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 28(3), pages 6149-6169, March.
    15. Ester van der Voet & Janneke van Oorschot & Teun Verhagen & Lauran van Oers & Vincent van Straalen & Vivian Tunn & Kiki Kersten & Roel Delahaye, 2025. "The urban mine of the Netherlands: The material basis for a circular economy," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 29(3), pages 967-981, June.
    16. Mehrdad Mirabi & Kazem Javan & Mariam Darestani & Mohsen Karrabi, 2025. "Integrating Circular Economy and Life Cycle Assessment in Virtual Water Management: A Case Study of Food Consumption Across Economic Classes in Iran," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-16, March.

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