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Circular Economy and Green Chemistry: The Need for Radical Innovative Approaches in the Design for New Products

Author

Listed:
  • Amos Ncube

    (International PhD Programme “Environment, Resources and Sustainable Development”, Department of Science and Technology, Parthenope University of Naples, Centro Direzionale–Isola C4, 80143 Naples, Italy)

  • Sandile Mtetwa

    (Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK)

  • Mahak Bukhari

    (School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, 19 Xinjiekouwai St., Haidian District, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Gabriella Fiorentino

    (ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development), Department for Sustainability, Division Resource Efficiency, Research Centre of Portici, P.le E. Fermi 1, Portici, 80055 Naples, Italy)

  • Renato Passaro

    (Department of Science and Technology, Parthenope University of Naples, Centro Direzionale–Isola C4, 80143 Naples, Italy)

Abstract

The idea of a circular economy (CE) has gained ground over the past ten years as a means of addressing sustainable development and getting around the limitations of the current and linear dominant production and consumption patterns. The primary goal of a CE is to encourage the adoption of closing-the-loop production methods to improve resource use efficiency, modify chemical processes, and increase product and material lifespan. According to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which focuses on 17 Sustainable Development Goals, 14 of which call for the appropriate application of green chemistry (GC) concepts and patterns, the role that chemistry may play in the shift toward more sustainable models is critical. By serving as the foundation for novel products made from renewable feedstocks and designed to be reused, recycled, or recovered with the associated minimum energy requirements, green and sustainable chemistry could be the key to unlocking the economic potential of the CE toward new product design and ultimately solving waste management problems. The aim of this perspective paper, while using a variety of literature sources, is to essentially capture the main issues associated with the CE and GC paradigms and how these two approaches can merge toward sustainable business models and the production of new materials. This integration focuses on reducing waste, conserving resources, and minimizing negative environmental impacts, while also considering economic viability. However, the obstacles to achieving implementation of the CE and GC principles are investment, environmental education, and legislation. To advance toward the circular economy and green chemistry, international agreements should be reconsidered to provide an appropriate framework, including the creation of incentives for businesses and individuals to adopt circular practices, the establishment of education programs to promote the benefits of circular practices, and the development of regulations to support the transition to sustainable production and consumption patterns.

Suggested Citation

  • Amos Ncube & Sandile Mtetwa & Mahak Bukhari & Gabriella Fiorentino & Renato Passaro, 2023. "Circular Economy and Green Chemistry: The Need for Radical Innovative Approaches in the Design for New Products," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-21, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:4:p:1752-:d:1063574
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Gerardo Bernache-Pérez & Lorena De Medina-Salas & Eduardo Castillo-González & Mario Rafael Giraldi-Díaz, 2023. "Strategies to Strengthen Integrated Solid Waste Management in Small Municipalities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-13, February.
    3. Maria Cannio & Dino Norberto Boccaccini & Stefano Caporali & Rosa Taurino, 2024. "Superhydrophobic Materials from Waste: Innovative Approach," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 6(1), pages 1-23, March.
    4. Dumitru Alexandru Bodislav & Rareș Mihai Nițu & Grigore Ioan Piroșcă & Raluca Iuliana Georgescu, 2025. "The Opportunity Cost Between the Circular Economy and Economic Growth: Clustering the Approaches of European Union Member States," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-28, March.
    5. Kurniawati, 2023. "Sustainable Textile Practices by Integrated Viscose Rayon and Yarn Producers: An Empirical Study," GATR Journals jfbr210, Global Academy of Training and Research (GATR) Enterprise.

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