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Envisioning a Circular Economy: The Journey of One Mid-Sized Midwestern City

Author

Listed:
  • Jennifer Petoskey

    (Department of Public Works, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA)

  • Missy Stults

    (Office of Sustainability and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA)

  • Eileen Naples

    (Department of Public Works, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA)

  • Galen Hardy

    (Office of Sustainability and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA)

  • Alicia Quilici

    (Department of Public Works, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA)

  • Cassie Byerly

    (Office of Sustainability and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA)

  • Amelia Clark

    (Office of Sustainability and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA)

  • Deja Newton

    (Office of Sustainability and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA)

  • Elizabeth Santiago

    (Office of Sustainability and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA)

  • Jack Teener

    (Office of Sustainability and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA)

Abstract

The City of Ann Arbor has committed to a just and equitable transition to community-wide carbon neutrality by 2030. Our guiding plan, A 2 ZERO, outlines seven strategies and 44 actions that were chosen by the community to achieve this goal. One of the seven strategies is “Changing the Way We Use, Reuse, and Dispose of Materials”, including the action: “move toward a circular economy”. Many cities are trying to move towards a circular economy, tailoring policies, actions, and outreach towards their unique circumstances. Regardless of context, becoming circular requires an array of actions including collaboration and partnership, policy setting, program development, and education. This paper explores how the concept of the circular economy is discussed in the peer reviewed literature and in practitioner circles, exploring similarities and differences. Following this, we undertake a critical instance case study on the City of Ann Arbor’s materials management programs and efforts towards achieving a more circular local economy. We conclude by offering pathways that Ann Arbor and other cities across the U.S. can pursue to advance a circular economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Jennifer Petoskey & Missy Stults & Eileen Naples & Galen Hardy & Alicia Quilici & Cassie Byerly & Amelia Clark & Deja Newton & Elizabeth Santiago & Jack Teener, 2021. "Envisioning a Circular Economy: The Journey of One Mid-Sized Midwestern City," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:6:p:3157-:d:516316
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    2. World Commission on Environment and Development,, 1987. "Our Common Future," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780192820808.
    3. Julie Marin & Bruno De Meulder, 2018. "Interpreting Circularity. Circular City Representations Concealing Transition Drivers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-24, April.
    4. de Vries, Bert J.M. & Petersen, Arthur C., 2009. "Conceptualizing sustainable development: An assessment methodology connecting values, knowledge, worldviews and scenarios," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(4), pages 1006-1019, February.
    5. Julie Marin & Luc Alaerts & Karel Van Acker, 2020. "A Materials Bank for Circular Leuven: How to Monitor ‘Messy’ Circular City Transition Projects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-23, December.
    6. Sierra C. Woodruff & Missy Stults, 2016. "Numerous strategies but limited implementation guidance in US local adaptation plans," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 6(8), pages 796-802, August.
    7. Jonathan M. Cullen, 2017. "Circular Economy: Theoretical Benchmark or Perpetual Motion Machine?," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 21(3), pages 483-486, June.
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