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Socially-Inclusive Development and Value Creation: How a Composting Project in Galicia (Spain) ‘Hit the Rocks’

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  • Paul Swagemakers

    (Department of Applied Economics, Faculty of Business and Tourism, University of Vigo, Campus Universitario As Lagoas s/n, 32004 Ourense, Spain
    Governance and Economics research Network (GEN), University of Vigo, Campus Universitario As Lagoas s/n, 32004 Ourense, Spain)

  • Maria Dolores Dominguez Garcia

    (Governance and Economics research Network (GEN), University of Vigo, Campus Universitario As Lagoas s/n, 32004 Ourense, Spain
    Department of Applied Economics, Public Economics and Political Economy, Faculty of Social Work, Complutense University of Madrid, Campus de Somosaguas, 28223 Pozuelo de Alarcón, Spain)

  • Johannes S. C. Wiskerke

    (Rural Sociology Group, Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University, Hollandseweg 1, 6706 KN Wageningen, The Netherlands)

Abstract

This paper introduces the concept of commoning in circular economies, and explores how commons reproduce over time. The starting point is that commoning can have an important role in fostering circular economies and sustainable and socially-inclusive development. By commoning, we refer to local stakeholders working collectively to preserve or restore their natural resource base to generate benefits that are locally shared. Through the analysis of a specific case of a group of commoners’ associations in Galicia (Spain), the paper describes and discusses the development, and ultimate unravelling, of an innovative and decentralized waste management project to convert waste biomass from the monte (often-neglected upland green spaces, largely consisting of brush and trees) into compost. In order to make this composting project economically viable the possibility of collecting and processing urban green waste was also explored. While the project’s application of the principles of a circular economy had the potential to bring locally-shared economic and ecological benefits, and foster territorial prosperity and resilience, it was ultimately frustrated by questions of scale, administrative and regulatory barriers, competing and conflicting land-use claims and financial cutbacks in the public sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Swagemakers & Maria Dolores Dominguez Garcia & Johannes S. C. Wiskerke, 2018. "Socially-Inclusive Development and Value Creation: How a Composting Project in Galicia (Spain) ‘Hit the Rocks’," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-21, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:6:p:2040-:d:152834
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    3. Anna Barford & Saffy Rose Ahmad, 2021. "A Call for a Socially Restorative Circular Economy: Waste Pickers in the Recycled Plastics Supply Chain," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 1(2), pages 761-782, September.
    4. Konstantinos Mantalovas & Gaetano Di Mino, 2019. "The Sustainability of Reclaimed Asphalt as a Resource for Road Pavement Management through a Circular Economic Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-20, April.
    5. Ariel Gillespie & Anthony Halog, 2023. "Community-Scale Composting Initiatives in South-East Queensland and Beyond: a Review of Successes, Challenges and Lessons for a Pilot Project on Karragarra Island, southern Moreton Bay," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 305-319, March.
    6. Luca Adami & Marco Schiavon, 2021. "From Circular Economy to Circular Ecology: A Review on the Solution of Environmental Problems through Circular Waste Management Approaches," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-20, January.
    7. Juan Milán-García & Juan Uribe-Toril & José Luis Ruiz-Real & Jaime de Pablo Valenciano, 2019. "Sustainable Local Development: An Overview of the State of Knowledge," Resources, MDPI, vol. 8(1), pages 1-18, February.

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