Zorpas Antonis A
Laboratory of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Sustainability, Sustainable Environmental Engineering Master Program, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus, Giannou Kranidioti 89, 2231, www.ouc.ac.cy, Latsia, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Sci Total Environ. 2024 Nov 20;952:175508. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175508. Epub 2024 Aug 15.
There are numerous unresolved research questions, along with ongoing debates, regarding how to achieve a circular economy and at what level. The forthcoming circular economy standard (ISO 59000 framework, ISO59010) as a result from the ISO/TC 323, from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) aims to offer global implementation pathways using a unified technical language. The most challenging aspect of circularity, whether viewed scientifically, technically, and/or legislatively, is how to enhance prosperity while reducing reliance on primary materials and energy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, thereby aiding the EU in achieving a successful and equitable transition towards a sustainable future. Strategies in the framework of waste management and circular economy are essential and needed to reduce the impact of several processes on the environment through product, processes, and corporate policies using green applicable sustainable resources and environmental management systems. In addition, "measuring something that is not there" is very complex and not fully comprehensible, not clear and not tangible from organizations, researchers, policy makers and citizens. The willingness and ability of individuals or organizations to take actions towards a low-carbon society involves grappling with various perspectives, such as social norms and economic viability. Circular economy is considered a tool in combating climate change and implementing climate mitigation (as well as adaptation) measures. Moreover, to date, there has been no common scientific or technical language for the application of the circular economy concept. This paper highlights the multitude of "Rs" beyond the well-known (3Rs) Reduce-Reuse-Recycle pattern, which can be applied in various contexts to assist SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises), organizations and even citizens successfully adopt circular economy principles. Is also explores how these "Rs" can be utilized to measure intangible aspects (something that is not there). The results indicate that more than 55Rs exist which directly involved in the circular economy framework, also considering waste management strategies. The findings of this study reveal the existence of over 100 "Rs" beyond the well-known principles of "reduce, reuse, recycle," each playing a distinct role in the development of strategies aimed at addressing waste management issues and advancing circularity towards a low-carbon society. Furthermore, the results could be useful for any policy makers, consultants, engineers, practitioners, urban planners, academics etc., in order to develop, apply, monitor, measure and improve any strategy such as circular economy strategy, waste prevention, zero waste, reuse, reduce, energy recovery etc., in the framework of circular economy principles, solid waste management and beyond.
关于如何实现循环经济以及在何种层面实现循环经济,存在众多未解决的研究问题以及持续的争论。国际标准化组织(ISO)的ISO/TC 323即将出台的循环经济标准(ISO 59000框架、ISO59010)旨在使用统一的技术语言提供全球实施途径。循环性最具挑战性的方面,无论是从科学、技术和/或立法角度来看,是如何在减少对初级材料和能源的依赖以在2050年实现气候中和的同时提高繁荣程度,从而帮助欧盟成功且公平地向可持续未来过渡。废物管理和循环经济框架中的策略对于通过使用绿色适用的可持续资源和环境管理系统,通过产品、流程和企业政策减少多个流程对环境的影响至关重要且必不可少。此外,“衡量不存在的东西”非常复杂,组织、研究人员、政策制定者和公民对此并不完全理解、不清楚且不明确。个人或组织采取行动迈向低碳社会的意愿和能力涉及应对各种观点,如社会规范和经济可行性。循环经济被视为应对气候变化和实施气候缓解(以及适应)措施的一种工具。此外,迄今为止,循环经济概念的应用尚无通用的科学或技术语言。本文强调了除了广为人知的减少-再利用-回收(3R)模式之外的众多“R”,这些“R”可应用于各种情境,以帮助中小企业、组织甚至公民成功采用循环经济原则。本文还探讨了如何利用这些“R”来衡量无形方面(不存在的东西)。结果表明,直接涉及循环经济框架的“R”有55个以上,同时也考虑了废物管理策略。本研究的结果揭示,除了“减少、再利用、回收”这些广为人知的原则之外,还存在100多个“R”,每个“R”在制定旨在解决废物管理问题并推动向低碳社会的循环性发展的策略中都发挥着独特作用。此外,这些结果对于任何政策制定者、顾问、工程师、从业者、城市规划师、学者等都可能有用,以便在循环经济原则、固体废物管理及其他框架内制定、应用、监测、衡量和改进任何策略,如循环经济策略、废物预防、零废物、再利用、减少、能源回收等。