IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/jrpoli/v74y2021ics0301420717305433.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Sustainability and the circular economy: A theoretical approach focused on e-waste urban mining

Author

Listed:
  • Xavier, Lúcia Helena
  • Giese, Ellen Cristine
  • Ribeiro-Duthie, Ana Cristina
  • Lins, Fernando Antonio Freitas

Abstract

Reuse and recirculation of products and materials are the basis of the concept of the circular economy (CE). The CE is an innovative proposal that can result in positive impacts such as reduced demand for raw materials, reduced consumption of basic resources, and job creation, as well as preventing negative impacts resulting from the exploitation and processing of natural resources. Mining is infamous for its potential environmental impact, but mining waste from traditional mining (in the linear economy) may recover material through upcycling techniques, as can urban mining of industrial and post-consumer waste categories (in the circular economy). Urban mining, a form of closed-loop supply chain management, offers an attractive alternative to the management of waste electrical and electronic equipment (e-waste) and, at the same time, as a sustainable way to exploit mineral resources, reduces primary material intake and stimulates the circularity in the supply chain. The present study reviews the main CE solutions for e-waste management, highlighting the importance of recovering and classifying mineral material according to urban mining procedures.

Suggested Citation

  • Xavier, Lúcia Helena & Giese, Ellen Cristine & Ribeiro-Duthie, Ana Cristina & Lins, Fernando Antonio Freitas, 2021. "Sustainability and the circular economy: A theoretical approach focused on e-waste urban mining," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:74:y:2021:i:c:s0301420717305433
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2019.101467
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301420717305433
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.resourpol.2019.101467?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Pactwa, Katarzyna & Woźniak, Justyna, 2017. "Environmental reporting policy of the mining industry leaders in Poland," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 201-207.
    2. Essah, Marcellinus & Andrews, Nathan, 2016. "Linking or de-linking sustainable mining practices and corporate social responsibility? Insights from Ghana," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 75-85.
    3. Solomon, Fiona & Katz, Evie & Lovel, Roy, 2008. "Social dimensions of mining: Research, policy and practice challenges for the minerals industry in Australia," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 33(3), pages 142-149, September.
    4. Ingrid Robeyns, 2005. "The Capability Approach: a theoretical survey," Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 6(1), pages 93-117.
    5. Nnorom, I.C. & Osibanjo, O., 2008. "Overview of electronic waste (e-waste) management practices and legislations, and their poor applications in the developing countries," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 52(6), pages 843-858.
    6. Mudd, Gavin M., 2010. "The Environmental sustainability of mining in Australia: key mega-trends and looming constraints," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(2), pages 98-115, June.
    7. Milovantseva, Natalia & Fitzpatrick, Colin, 2015. "Barriers to electronics reuse of transboundary e-waste shipment regulations: An evaluation based on industry experiences," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 170-177.
    8. Atkinson, Anthony B., 1970. "On the measurement of inequality," Journal of Economic Theory, Elsevier, vol. 2(3), pages 244-263, September.
    9. Luthra, Sunil & Garg, Dixit & Haleem, Abid, 2015. "An analysis of interactions among critical success factors to implement green supply chain management towards sustainability: An Indian perspective," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(P1), pages 37-50.
    10. Zvarivadza, T., 2018. "Sustainability in the mining industry: An evaluation of the National Planning Commission's diagnostic overview," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 70-77.
    11. Tiainen, Heidi, 2016. "Contemplating governance for social sustainability in mining in Greenland," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 282-289.
    12. Riesgo García, María Victoria & Krzemień, Alicja & Manzanedo del Campo, Miguel Ángel & Menéndez Álvarez, Mario & Gent, Malcolm Richard, 2017. "Rare earth elements mining investment: It is not all about China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 66-76.
    13. Zeng, Lijun & Wang, Bingcheng & Fan, Liu & Wu, Jianguo, 2016. "Analyzing sustainability of Chinese mining cities using an association rule mining approach," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 394-404.
    14. Massari, Stefania & Ruberti, Marcello, 2013. "Rare earth elements as critical raw materials: Focus on international markets and future strategies," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(1), pages 36-43.
    15. Ouoba, Youmanli, 2017. "Economic sustainability of the gold mining industry in Burkina Faso," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 194-203.
    16. Pavel, Claudiu C. & Lacal-Arántegui, Roberto & Marmier, Alain & Schüler, Doris & Tzimas, Evangelos & Buchert, Matthias & Jenseit, Wolfgang & Blagoeva, Darina, 2017. "Substitution strategies for reducing the use of rare earths in wind turbines," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 349-357.
    17. Brian Owens, 2013. "Mining: Extreme prospects," Nature, Nature, vol. 495(7440), pages 4-6, March.
    18. Ayres, Robert U., 2008. "Sustainability economics: Where do we stand?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 67(2), pages 281-310, September.
    19. Paulick, Holger & Machacek, Erika, 2017. "The global rare earth element exploration boom: An analysis of resources outside of China and discussion of development perspectives," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 134-153.
    20. Freek Colombijn & Martina Morbidini, 2017. "Pros and cons of the formation of waste-pickers’ cooperatives: a comparison between Brazil and Indonesia," DECISION: Official Journal of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Springer;Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, vol. 44(2), pages 91-101, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Yasanur Kayikci & Nazlican Gozacan‐Chase & Abderahman Rejeb, 2024. "Blockchain entrepreneurship roles for circular supply chain transition," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(2), pages 197-222, February.
    2. T. Mahanth & C. R. Suryasekaran & S. G. Ponnambalam & Bathrinath Sankaranarayanan & Koppiahraj Karuppiah & Izabela Ewa Nielsen, 2023. "Modelling the Barriers to Circular Economy Practices in the Indian State of Tamil Nadu in Managing E-Wastes to Achieve Green Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-15, February.
    3. Gümüşsoy, Aleyna & Başyi̇ği̇t, Mikail & Uzun Kart, Elif, 2023. "Economic potential and environmental impact of metal recovery from copper slag flotation tailings," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    4. Patricia Guarnieri & Barbara de Oliveira Vieira & Giselle Cappellesso & Solange Alfinito & Lucio Camara e Silva, 2022. "Analysis of Habits of Consumers Related to e-Waste Considering the Knowledge of Brazilian National Policy of Solid Waste: A Comparison among White, Green, Brown and Blue Lines," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-19, September.
    5. Abderahman Rejeb & Karim Rejeb & John G. Keogh & Suhaiza Zailani, 2022. "Barriers to Blockchain Adoption in the Circular Economy: A Fuzzy Delphi and Best-Worst Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-23, March.
    6. Zhou, Xiaoxiao & Zhao, Yongan & Zhao, Xin & Xu, Junwei & Smutka, Luboš & Bilan, Yuriy, 2024. "Mineral resource drivers in the global south: A case study of Australia," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Seiler, Volker, 2024. "The relationship between Chinese and FOB prices of rare earth elements – Evidence in the time and frequency domain," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 160-179.
    2. Prince Amoah & Gabriel Eweje, 2021. "Impact mitigation or ecological restoration? Examining the environmental sustainability practices of multinational mining companies," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 551-565, January.
    3. Li, Chong-Mao & Nie, Rui, 2017. "An evaluating system for scientific mining of China's coal resources," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 317-327.
    4. Zeng, Lijun & Guo, Jiaqi & Wang, Bingcheng & Lv, Jun & Wang, Qin, 2019. "Analyzing sustainability of Chinese coal cities using a decision tree modeling approach," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    5. Yufeng Chen & Biao Zheng, 2019. "What Happens after the Rare Earth Crisis: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-26, March.
    6. Salim, Hengky & Sahin, Oz & Elsawah, Sondoss & Turan, Hasan & Stewart, Rodney A., 2022. "A critical review on tackling complex rare earth supply security problem," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    7. Zeng, Lijun & Wang, Jinfeng & Zhang, Jinshuo & Lv, Jun & Cui, Wei, 2020. "New Urbanization paths in mineral resource abundant regions in China: A three-dimensional cube framework," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    8. Schmid, Marc, 2019. "Mitigating supply risks through involvement in rare earth projects: Japan's strategies and what the US can learn," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 1-1.
    9. Jeni Klugman & Francisco Rodríguez & Hyung-Jin Choi, 2011. "The HDI 2010: new controversies, old critiques," The Journal of Economic Inequality, Springer;Society for the Study of Economic Inequality, vol. 9(2), pages 249-288, June.
    10. Endl, Andreas & Tost, Michael & Hitch, Michael & Moser, Peter & Feiel, Susanne, 2021. "Europe's mining innovation trends and their contribution to the sustainable development goals: Blind spots and strong points," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    11. Thibeault, Al & Ryder, Michael & Tomomewo, Olusegun & Mann, Michael, 2023. "A review of competitive advantage theory applied to the global rare earth industry transition," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(PA).
    12. Vintró, Carla & Fortuny, Jordi & Sanmiquel, Lluís & Freijo, Modesto & Edo, Joaquín, 2012. "Is corporate social responsibility possible in the mining sector? Evidence from Catalan companies," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 118-125.
    13. Reeson, Andrew & Measham, Thomas G. & Hosking, Karin, 2012. "Mining activity, income inequality and gender in regional Australia," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 56(2), pages 1-12.
    14. Shuai, Jing & Peng, Xinjie & Zhao, Yujia & Wang, Yilan & Xu, Wei & Cheng, Jinhua & Lu, Yang & Wang, Jingjin, 2022. "A dynamic evaluation on the international competitiveness of China's rare earth products: An industrial chain and tech-innovation perspective," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    15. Carmelo Pinedo-Álvarez & Karla Ozuki Chacón-Chumacero & Alfredo Pinedo-Álvarez & Martín Martínez-Salvador & Marusia Rentería-Villalobos & Eduardo Santellano-Estrada & Sandra Rodríguez-Piñeros, 2017. "Using Social, Economic and Land-Use Indices to Build a Local Sustainability Index in a Mining Region of the Sierra Tarahumara, Mexico," Resources, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-15, August.
    16. Depraiter, Lisa & Goutte, Stephane, 2023. "The role and challenges of rare earths in the energy transition," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(PB).
    17. David Talbot & Guillaume Barbat, 2020. "Water disclosure in the mining sector: An assessment of the credibility of sustainability reports," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(3), pages 1241-1251, May.
    18. Zhao, Guimei & Geng, Yong & Wei, Wendong & Bleischwitz, Raimund & Ge, Zewen, 2023. "Assessing gadolinium resource efficiency and criticality in China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    19. Zheng, Biao & Zhang, Yuquan & Chen, Yufeng, 2021. "Asymmetric connectedness and dynamic spillovers between renewable energy and rare earth markets in China: Evidence from firms’ high-frequency data," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    20. Gedam, Vidyadhar V. & Raut, Rakesh D. & Lopes de Sousa Jabbour, Ana Beatriz & Agrawal, Nishant, 2021. "Moving the circular economy forward in the mining industry: Challenges to closed-loop in an emerging economy," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:74:y:2021:i:c:s0301420717305433. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/inca/30467 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.