Over-claiming the circular economy: the missing dimensions

Abstract

A new approach to sustainability has been proposed, the 'circular economy', as a pathway for companies - large or small - to engage with the challenges of sustainable business. This paper begins with an overview of the concept of the circular economy, before discussing some of the tensions and limitations of this approach, particularly the more overlooked social aspects of circularity. As a result, the paper suggests some alternatives as exemplars of more ethical and socially inclusive approaches to the circular economy.

Citation

(2018). Over-claiming the circular economy: the missing dimensions. Social Business, 103-114. https://doi.org/10.1362/204440818X15208755029618

• Acceptance Date: Mar 1, 2018
• Publication Date: Jun 18, 2018
• Journal: Social Business
• Print ISSN: 2044-4087
• Publisher: Westburn Publishers
• Pages: 103-114
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1362/204440818X15208755029618
• Keywords: CIRCULAR ECONOMY; RECYCLING; SOCIAL DIMENSIONS; SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION; WASTE REDUCTION
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1362/204440818X15208755029618