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Implementation of Circular Economy Strategies within the Electronics Sector: Insights from Finnish Companies

Author

Listed:
  • Ivan Deviatkin

    (Department of Sustainability Science, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland)

  • Sanna Rousu

    (Green Company Effect, Läntinen Kirkkokatu 64, 67100 Kokkola, Finland)

  • Malahat Ghoreishi

    (School of Business and Management, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland)

  • Mohammad Naji Nassajfar

    (Department of Sustainability Science, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland)

  • Mika Horttanainen

    (Department of Sustainability Science, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland)

  • Ville Leminen

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland)

Abstract

There is an increasing call for products following circular economy principles. Despite growing pressure, understanding of the current situation and development vectors is largely missing. In this study, circular economy workshops were arranged for six industrial companies manufacturing electronics and operating in Finland to obtain an empirical understanding of the current state of circular economy implementation. During the workshops, each company assessed the state of the circular economy for a chosen product using a set of 51 circular economy strategies, i.e., the circularity deck. The results indicated that circular economy principles were implemented in only 25% of the cases. This is mostly related to the production of smaller, thinner, and lighter products. The results also indicate a large improvement potential of 36% for the participating companies. This is the share of cases that are planned for implementation. Those strategies mostly relate to the use of recycled inputs, the development of products made of a single material, and the design of products suitable for primary recycling. The least relevant or even irrelevant strategies were those related to the use of information technologies and artificial intelligence, despite electronic products being the enablers of such strategies for the other companies. Therefore, to further increase the circularity of electronic products and to meet the demands and interests of the manufacturing industry, research work on the technologies and services enabling the use of waste as raw materials should be emphasized to close the loops. Finally, the results imply the necessity for a more widespread assessment of circular economy strategies among companies, with consequent development of action plans for their implementation.

Suggested Citation

  • Ivan Deviatkin & Sanna Rousu & Malahat Ghoreishi & Mohammad Naji Nassajfar & Mika Horttanainen & Ville Leminen, 2022. "Implementation of Circular Economy Strategies within the Electronics Sector: Insights from Finnish Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:6:p:3268-:d:768646
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Vasile Dinu & Giani Ionel Gradinaru & Alin Cristian Maricut & Bogdan Florin Matei, 2023. "The Role of Innovation and New Technologies in Closing the Economic Circuit of Electrical and Electronic Equipment," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 25(62), pages 1-12, February.
    2. Robertas Damasevicius, 2023. "Progress, Evolving Paradigms and Recent Trends in Economic Analysis," Financial Economics Letters, Anser Press, vol. 2(2), pages 35-47, October.

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