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Indicators to Measure Efficiency in Circular Economies

Author

Listed:
  • Jaime Sánchez-Ortiz

    (Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Cádiz, Avda. Duque de Nájera, 8, 11002-Cádiz, Spain)

  • Vanesa Rodríguez-Cornejo

    (Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Cádiz, Avda. Duque de Nájera, 8, 11002-Cádiz, Spain)

  • Rosario Del Río-Sánchez

    (Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Cádiz, Avda. Duque de Nájera, 8, 11002-Cádiz, Spain)

  • Teresa García-Valderrama

    (Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, University of Cádiz, Avda. Duque de Nájera, 8, 11002-Cádiz, Spain)

Abstract

In this paper, a number of indicators are shown to measure economic efficiency in terms of circular economy (CE). The European Union affirms the need for a comprehensive model of indicators relating to CE in order to meet the needs of all participants (individual companies and industry, society, and the nation), to be based on three perspectives: environmental impact, economic benefit, and resource scarcity. Therefore, the objective of this work is to define these indicators and establish models for measuring the efficiency of processes and products of CE (through Data Envelopment Analysis, (DEA)) in its different manifestations. The models will be useful for both organizations and external users in relation to CE in order to facilitate the search for indicators for all users. Following the bibliographic review of official reports and different high impact works, our results demonstrate the ability to obtain information concerning the main indicators of CE and how the efficiency of CE models has been measured through the most frequently used inputs and outputs.

Suggested Citation

  • Jaime Sánchez-Ortiz & Vanesa Rodríguez-Cornejo & Rosario Del Río-Sánchez & Teresa García-Valderrama, 2020. "Indicators to Measure Efficiency in Circular Economies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:11:p:4483-:d:365838
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Nestor Shpak & Oleh Kuzmin & Olga Melnyk & Mariana Ruda & Włodzimierz Sroka, 2020. "Implementation of a Circular Economy in Ukraine: The Context of European Integration," Resources, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-15, August.
    3. Rosa M. Llácer-Iglesias & P. Amparo López-Jiménez & Modesto Pérez-Sánchez, 2021. "Energy Self-Sufficiency Aiming for Sustainable Wastewater Systems: Are All Options Being Explored?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-20, May.
    4. Konstantin Gomonov & Svetlana Ratner & Inna Lazanyuk & Svetlana Revinova, 2021. "Clustering of EU Countries by the Level of Circular Economy: An Object-Oriented Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-20, June.
    5. Roman Lacko & Zuzana Hajduová & Marcin Zawada, 2021. "The Efficiency of Circular Economies: A Comparison of Visegrád Group Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-13, March.
    6. Marta Negri & Alessandra Neri & Enrico Cagno & Gabriele Monfardini, 2021. "Circular Economy Performance Measurement in Manufacturing Firms: A Systematic Literature Review with Insights for Small and Medium Enterprises and New Adopters," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-27, August.
    7. Elisabeth Viles & Javier Santos & Tamara Fernández Arévalo & Martín Tanco & Florencia Kalemkerian, 2020. "A New Mindset for Circular Economy Strategies: Case Studies of Circularity in the Use of Water," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-12, November.
    8. Horațiu Vermeșan & Alexandrina Mangău & Ancuța-Elena Tiuc, 2020. "Perspectives of Circular Economy in Romanian Space," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-29, August.
    9. Susanna Vanhamäki & Satu Rinkinen & Kati Manskinen, 2021. "Adapting a Circular Economy in Regional Strategies of the European Union," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-15, February.
    10. Armand Kasztelan, 2020. "How Circular Are the European Economies? A Taxonomic Analysis Based on the INEC (Index of National Economies’ Circularity)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-11, September.
    11. Elena Rangoni Gargano & Alessia Cornella & Pasqualina Sacco, 2023. "Governance Model for a Territory Circularity Index," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-15, February.

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