an official journal of: published by:
an official journal of: published by:
Editor in Chief: RAFFAELLO COSSU
Home

 

GO TO

TRANSITION TOWARDS A CIRCULAR ECONOMY: THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITY ASSETS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A NEW MODEL

  • Dongxu Qu - Henan Institute of Science and Technology, China - Sumy National Agrarian University, Ukraine
  • Tetiana Shevchenko - Sumy National Agrarian University, Ukraine
  • Michael Saidani - Laboratoire Genie Industriel, Université Paris-Saclay, France
  • Yuanyuan Xia - Sumy National Agrarian University, Ukraine - Henan Institute of Science and Technology, China
  • Yuriy Ladyka - Sumy National Agrarian University, Ukraine

DOI 10.31025/2611-4135/2021.15141

Released under CC BY-NC-ND

Copyright: © 2021 CISA Publisher

Abstract

Public awareness and relevant consumer behaviors are crucial in accelerating the transition to a circular economy (CE) model. This paper focused on exploring university activities for changing awareness and behaviors according to the principles of its new circular model to foster sustainable development. In this paper, a comprehensive literature review provides a holistic perspective on university CE-related activities in the implementation of the CE. The review revealed that the construction of a theoretical framework in universities with asset-based development is conducive to promoting the CE model through transformative learning. In light of recent academic insights into CE education, a theoretical framework for CE-related university activities was developed based on attributes of CE-related university assets, such as non-profit status, technology innovation, education, propagation, and efficient use of resources. We also introduce into scientific use the term CE-related university assets and provide a classification of these CE-related assets. The present findings contribute to a deeper understanding of universities’ CE-related resources and assets to improve public awareness and behaviors, as well as to train and inspire the leaders (including engineers, managers, designers, etc.) of tomorrow, required for further implementing the CE model.

Keywords

Editorial History

  • Received: 05 Apr 2021
  • Revised: 09 Jul 2021
  • Accepted: 01 Oct 2021
  • Available online: 16 Dec 2021

References

Amaral, L.P., Martins, N., Gouveia, G.B., 2015. Quest for a sustainable university: a review. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education 16 (2),1-16.
DOI 10.1108/IJSHE-02-2013-0017

American Sustainable Endowments Institute (ASEI), 2011. The College Sustainability Report Card. Available online: http://greenreportcard.org/index.html

Barros, M.V., Puglieri, F.N., Tesser, D.P., 2020. Sustainability at a Brazilian university: Developing environmentally sustainable practices and a life Cycle assessment case study. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education 21(5), 841-859.
DOI 10.1108/IJSHE-10-2019-0309

Blake, J., Sterling, S., Goodson, I., 2013. Transformative learning for a sustainable future: An exploration of pedagogies for change at an alternative college. Sustainability 5(12), 5347-5372.
DOI 10.3390/su5125347

Bugallo-Rodriguez, A., Vega-Marcote, P., 2020. Circular economy, sustainability and teacher training in a higher education institution. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education 21(7),1351-1366.
DOI 10.1108/IJSHE-02-2020-0049

Burns, H., 2018. Thematic Analysis: Transformative Sustainability Education. Journal of Transformative Education 4, 277-279

Coleman, K., Gould, R., 2019. Exploring just sustainability across the disciplines at one university. The Journal of Environmental Education 50(3), 223-237.
DOI 10.1080/00958964.2019.1582471

Cortese, A. D., 2003. The critical role of higher education in creating a sustainable future. Planning for Higher Education 31, 15-22

Cui, X., Di, Y., Nan, N., Liu, X., Zhou, C., 2018. Practice and efficiency of resource recycling science and engineering specialty in the background of industry-education integration and school-enterprise cooperation. Recyclable Resources and Circular Economy 11(7), 7-10

De Jesus, A., Mendonça, S., 2018. Lost in transition? Drivers and barriers in the eco-innovation road to the circular economy. Ecological Economics 145, 75-89.
DOI 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2017.08.001

Dong, S., Yu, H., Li, Y., Li, Z., Li, F., Li, F., 2016. China industrial energy saving: analysis on driving factors of development of circular economy. Chinese Population, Resources and Environment 26(6), 27-34

Du, R., 2016. Study on the circulation and sharing mode of learning resources in colleges and universities — A case study of seven universities in central China. Modern Economic Information 8, 406

EMF. Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2021. Universal circular economy policy goals: enabling the transition to scale. Available online: https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/publications/universal-circular-economy-policy-goals-enabling-the-transition-to-scale

Findler, F., Schönherr, N., Lozano, R., Stacherl, B., 2019. Assessing the impacts of higher education institutions on sustainable development—An analysis of tools and indicators. Sustainability 11(1), 59.
DOI 10.3390/su11010059

Gaidabrus, N., Bilovodska, O., Sager, L., 2014. Logistic service in the innovative production distribution channels as its optimal structure factor. Actual Problems of Economics 11, 147-153

Ghisellini, P., Cialani, C., Ulgiati, S., 2016. A review on circular economy: the expected transition to a balanced interplay of environmental and economic systems. Journal of Cleaner Production. 114, 11-32.
DOI 10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.09.007

Guo, B., Geng, Y., Sterr, T., Zhu, Q., Liu, Y., 2016. Investigating public awareness on circular economy in western China: a case of Urumqi Midong. Journal of Cleaner Production 142(4), 2177-2186.
DOI 10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.11.063

Guo, Y., 2014. Research on the recycling of college textbooks under the background of circular economy — A case study of Heilongjiang university of science and technology. Economist 10, 197-198

Hopff, B., Nijhuis, S., Verhoef, L.A., 2019. New dimensions for circularity on campus — Framework for the application of circular principles in campus development. Sustainability 11(3), 627.
DOI 10.3390/su11030627

Hu, B., Ji, B., 2017. Current situation of American circular economy standard formulation and its enlightenment to China. Value Engineering 36(31), 233-237.
DOI 10.14018/j.cnki.cn13-1085/n.2017.31.103

Jing, W., Zhang, L., 2014. Environmental regulation, opening to the outside world and the progress of green technology in Chinese industry. Economic Research Journal 49(9), 34-47

Kirchherr, J., Piscicelli, L., 2019. Towards an education for the Circular Economy (ECE): Five teaching principles and a case study. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 150, 104406.
DOI 10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.104406

Kirchherr, J., Reike, D., Hekkert, M., 2017. Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 127, 221–232.
DOI 10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.09.005

Kopnina, H., 2019. Green-washing or best case practices? Using circular economy and Cradle to Cradle case studies in business education. Journal of Cleaner Production 219, 613-621.
DOI 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.02.005

Liu, Q., 2014. Policy characteristics and perfection ideas of developing circular economy in China: A perspective of ecological civilization. Ecological Economy 30(4), 27-34

Liu, Q., 2015. The dynamic mechanism of science and technology under circular economy. Business 28, 263-264

Liu, Q., Du, X., 2019. Experience discussion on Japan’s circular economy development model. Modern Business 6, 182-183.
DOI 10.14097/j.cnki.5392/2019.06.086

Ma R., 2020. Analysis on major problems and countermeasures against college’s fixed assets management. Journal of Heilongjiang Institute of Technology 34(4), 77-80.
DOI 10.19352/j.cnki.issn1671-4679.2020.04.015

Ma, C., 2016. Strategic deployment and leading plan of circular economy development. Renewable Resources and Circular Economy 9(8), 15-18

Morseletto P., Targets for a circular economy. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Volume 153, 2020, 104553,
DOI 10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.104553

Mendoza, J.M.F., Gallego-Schmid, A., Azapagic, A., 2019. A methodological framework for the implementation of circular economy thinking in higher education institutions: Towards sustainable campus management. Journal of Cleaner Production 226, 831-844.
DOI 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.04.060

NBSC. National Bureau of Statistics of China, 2020. China Statistical Yearbook 2020. Available online: http://www.stats.gov.cn/tjsj/ndsj/2020/indexeh.htm

Nunes, B.T., Pollard, S.J.T., Burgess, P.J., Ellis, G., de los Rios, I.C., Charnley, F., 2018. University contributions to the Circular Economy: Professing the hidden curriculum. Sustainability 10(8), 2719.
DOI 10.3390/su10082719

O’Neil, J.K., 2018. Transformative sustainability learning with a material-discursive ontology. Journal of Transformative Education 4, 365-387.
DOI 10.1177/1541344618792823

Orr, D.W., 2002. Four challenges of sustainability. Conservation Biology 16(6), 1457-1460

PRC MOE. Ministry of Education of People’s Republic of China, 1998. Higher Education Law. Available online: http://old.moe.gov.cn//publicfiles/business/htmlfiles/moe/moe_619/200407/1311.html

PRC NDRC. National Development and Reform Commission of People’s Republic of China, 2015. Circular Economy Promotion Plan 2015. Available online: http://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2015-04/20/content_2849620.htm

PRC SC. State Council of People’s Republic of China, 2013. Circular Economy Development Strategy and Immediate Action Plan. Available online: http://www.gov.cn/zwgk/2013-02/05/content_2327562.htm

Qiao, G., Wang, T., 2013. On duty of care rules in British waste management and its enlightenment to China. China Population, Resources and Environment 23(1), 33-40

Qu, D., Shevchenko, T. Yan, X., 2020. University curriculum education activities towards circular economy implementation. International Journal of Scientific and Technology Research 9(5), 200-206

Qu, D., Shevchenko, T., 2019. Universities as a driving force for circular economy implementation in China. Bulletin of Sumy National Agrarian University 1(79), 14-20.
DOI 10.32845/bsnau.2019.1.3

Ranjbari, M., Saidani, M., Esfandabadi, Z.S., Peng, W., Lam, S.S., Aghbashlo, M., Quatraro, F., Tabatabaei, M., 2021. Two decades of research on waste management in the circular economy: Insights from bibliometric, text mining, and content analyses. J. Clean. Prod. 128009.
DOI 10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.128009

Reike, D., Vermeulen, W.J.V., Witjes, S., 2018. The circular economy: New or refurbished as CE 3.0? — Exploring controversies in the conceptualization of the circular economy through a focus on history and resource value retention options. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 135, 246–264.
DOI 10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.08.027

Rodriguez-Chueca, J., Molina-Garcia, A., Garcia-Aranda, C., Perez, J., Rodriguez, E., 2020. Understanding sustainability and the circular economy through flipped classroom and challenge-based learning: an innovative experience in engineering education in Spain. Environmental Education Research 26(2), 238-252.
DOI 10.1080/13504622.2019.1705965

Rokicki, T., Perkowska, A., Klepacki, B., Szczepaniuk, H., Szczepaniuk, E.K., Berezinski, S., Ziolkowska, P., 2020. The importance of higher education in the EU countries in achieving the objectives of the circular economy in the energy sector. Energies 13(17), 4407.
DOI 10.3390/en13174407

Rossi J., Bianchini A., Guarnieri P., 2020. Circular economy model enhanced by intelligent assets from industry 4.0: The proposition of an innovative tool to analyze case studies. Sustainability 12, 7147.
DOI 10.3390/su12177147

Saidani, M., Yannou, B., Leroy, Y., Cluzel, F., Kendall, A. 2019. A taxonomy of circular economy indicators. Journal of Cleaner Production, 207, 542-559.
DOI 10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.10.014

Saidani, M., Yannou, B., Leroy, Y., Cluzel, F., 2017. How to Assess Product Performance in the Circular Economy? Proposed Requirements for the Design of a Circularity Measurement Framework. Recycling 2(1)
DOI 10.3390/recycling2010006

Salguero-Puerta, L., Leyva-Diaz, J.C., Cortes-Garcia, F.J., Molina-Moreno, V., 2019. Sustainability indicators concerning waste management for implementation of the circular economy model on the university of Lome (Togo) campus. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16(12), 2234.
DOI 10.3390/ijerph16122234

Schroeder, P., Anggraeni, K., Weber, U., 2019. The relevance of circular economy practices to the sustainable development goals. Journal of Industrial Ecology 23(1), 77-95.
DOI 10.1111/jiec.12732

Shen, P., 2016. Experience and enlightenment of circular economy development in developed countries. Environmental Protection 44(23), 68-71.
DOI 10.14026/j.cnki.0253-9705.2016.23.016

Shevchenko T., Kronenberg J., Danko Y., Chovancová J. 2021. Exploring the circularity potential towards the multiple use of residual material to operationalize a circular economy model. Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 2 June.
DOI 10.1007/s10098-021-02100-4

Shevchenko, T., Kronenberg, J., 2020. Management of material and product circularity potential as an approach to operationalise circular economy. Progress in Industrial Ecology An International Journal 14(1), 30-57.
DOI 10.1504/PIE.2020.105193

Shevchenko, T., Laitala, K., Danko, Y., 2019. Understanding Consumer E-Waste Recycling Behavior: Introducing a New Economic Incentive to Increase the Collection Rates, Sustainability 11, 2656.
DOI 10.3390/su11092656

Sokol, R.G., Shaughnessy, A.F., 2018. Making the most of continuing medical education: evidence of transformative learning during a course in evidence-based medicine and decision making. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions 38(2), 102-109.
DOI 10.1097/CEH.0000000000000199

Sterling, S., 2010-2011. Transformative Learning and Sustainability: Sketching the Conceptual Ground. Learning and Teaching in Higher Education 5, 17-33

SDGKP. Sustainable Development Goals Knowledge Platform, 1992. Agenda 21. Available online: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/outcomedocuments/agenda21

Tan, X., Li, J., 2016. Benefit analysis of water recycling in universities — A case study of Guangzhou college of south China university of technology. Rural Economics and Technology 27(20), 53-54+63

Telizhenko, O., Shevchenko, T., Mishenina, G., 2016. Sustainable management of the municipal solid waste resource potential in the context of product lifecycle continuity. Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism 16(4), 664-671.
DOI 10.14505//jemt.v7.4(16).12

UNESCO. United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, 2014. Global Action Programme on Education for Sustainable Development (2015-2019). Available online: https://en.unesco.org/globalactionprogrammeoneducation

UNESCO, 2015. Education 2030 Framework for Action. Available online: http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/ED/ED_new/pdf/FFA-ENG-27Oct15.pdf

UNESCO, 2003. The United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014). Available online: https://en.unesco.org/themes/education-sustainable-development/what-is-esd/un-decade-of-esd

UI. Universitas Indonesia, 2019. UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2019. Available online: http://greenmetric.ui.ac.id/overall-rankings-2019/

Wang, Z., 2014. Construction of long-term mechanism of college students’ summer social practice. Ideological Education Research 3, 83-86

Weissbrodt, D.G., Winkler, M.K.H., Welts, G.F., 2020. Responsible science, engineering and education for water resource recovery and circularity. Environmental Science-water Research and Technology 6(8), 1952-1966.
DOI 10.1039/d0ew00402b

Williams, I., Powell, L., 2019. Sustainable resource management by students at higher education institutions. Detritus 6, 11-24.
DOI 10.31025/2611-4135/2019.13813

Wysokińska, Z., 2016. The “New” environmental policy of the European Union: a path to development of a circular economy and mitigation of the negative effects of climate change. Comparative Economic Research 19(2), 57-73.
DOI 10.1515/cer-2016-0013

Yin, Z., Shen, H., 2005. Construction of national scientific research system and development of research universities. Research and Development Management 4, 110-114.
DOI 10.13581/j.cnki.rdm.2005.04.018

You, J., Wang P., 2016. Can environmental regulation promote R&D towards green technology? An empirical study based on China’s industrial sector. Economic Review 3, 26-38.
DOI 10.19361/j.er.2016.03.03

Zhai, Y., 2017. Research on circular economy and legislation of circular economy. Journal of Shanghai University of Political Science & Law (The Rule of Law Forum) 32(6), 11-20

Zhang H., Zheng X., Liu Y., Li J., Lu H., 2020. Information construction of the whole life cycle of state-owned assets in universities in the era of big data. Research and Exploration in Laboratory 39(10),280-284

Zhang, A., Venkatesh, V.G., Liu, Y., Wan, M., Qu, T., Huisingh, D., 2019. Barriers to smart waste management for a circular economy in China. Journal of Cleaner Production 240, 1-12.
DOI 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118198

Zhao, J., Zhang, R., 2012. Thoughts on promoting cultural inheritance and innovation in universities. Ideological and Political Education Research 28(2), 17-20.
DOI 10.15938/j.cnki.iper.2012.02.023

Zhu, D., 2017. A review of circular economy development in European countries over the last decade and its implications to deepen Chinese’s circular economy. Chinese Population, Resources and Environment 27(8), 9-16

Related Contents