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Breaking Circular Economy Barriers

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Despite high estimated economic gains the implementation of a circular economy (CE) in most areas is generally slow. The purpose of this paper is therefore to examine the potential causes to this sluggish implementation and to discuss and illustrate how different types of barriers (technological, market, institutional and cultural) can prevent the further implementation of a CE. We conduct a systematic literature review where academic articles and “grey literature” on the barriers to a CE transition are analysed and classified into technological, market/economic, institutional/regulatory, and cultural/social barriers. We approach the research problem in a twofold way. Firstly, we recognize the barriers that currently seem to hinder a CE from developing. Secondly, we map these barriers to better understand how they are interdependent and entangled. Our main conclusion is that even small barriers can stop the emergence of a CE.

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  • Grafström, Jonas & Aasma, Siri, 2020. "Breaking Circular Economy Barriers," Ratio Working Papers 338, The Ratio Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:ratioi:0338
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    1. Kris Hartley & Jasper Roosendaal & Julian Kirchherr, 2022. "Barriers to the circular economy: The case of the Dutch technical and interior textiles industries," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(2), pages 477-490, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Circular economy; barriers; sustainability; markets; recycling;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • K23 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law - - - Regulated Industries and Administrative Law
    • L11 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Production, Pricing, and Market Structure; Size Distribution of Firms
    • P18 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Energy; Environment
    • Q20 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - General

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