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Circular Economy and Cooperatives—An Exploratory Survey

Author

Listed:
  • Rafael Ziegler

    (Institut International des Coopératives Alphonse-et-Dorimène-Desjardins, HEC Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 2A7, Canada)

  • Cynthia Poirier

    (Institut International des Coopératives Alphonse-et-Dorimène-Desjardins, HEC Montréal, Montréal, QC H3T 2A7, Canada
    Centre d’Études et de Recherches Intersectorielles en Économie Circulaire, ETS, Montréal, QC H3C 1K3, Canada)

  • Marie Lacasse

    (Conseil Québécois de la Coopération et de la Mutualité, Lévis, QC G6V 0P6, Canada)

  • Evan Murray

    (Coopérative de Développement Régional du Québec, Amos, QC J9T 1V3, Canada)

Abstract

Global sustainability assessments call for a rethinking of prevailing systems of production and consumption. We focus on the circular economy as an alternative system, and the role of cooperatives as transformative actors for sustainability. While cooperatives have been studied in relation to specific circularity strategies, notably recycling, we present the first study on cooperatives in relation to all circularity strategies. We ask how circular economy strategies and business models resonate with cooperatives. The research is based on an exploratory database and survey of 165 cooperatives in the Canadian province of Québec. Our research shows circularity to be anchored in the mutualisation at the heart of the cooperative model, which emphasizes a shared taking of responsibility in response to needs. The survey shows that cooperatives contribute comprehensively to the circular economy, not just to downstream categories of recycling and revalorization but also to upstream categories of rethinking production and consumption, sharing, and durable use. They can contribute to an embedding of circular economy in regional economies and circular societies. To advance this potential, further integration and improvement of circularity strategies and associated socio-technical questions, support with business model development and finance, as well as education and peer exchange are needed.

Suggested Citation

  • Rafael Ziegler & Cynthia Poirier & Marie Lacasse & Evan Murray, 2023. "Circular Economy and Cooperatives—An Exploratory Survey," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-17, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:3:p:2530-:d:1052410
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Josefina Fernandez-Guadaño & Manuel Lopez-Millan & Jesús Sarria-Pedroza, 2020. "Cooperative Entrepreneurship Model for Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(13), pages 1-11, July.
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    4. Francisca Castilla-Polo & M. Isabel Sánchez-Hernández, 2020. "Cooperatives and Sustainable Development: A Multilevel Approach Based on Intangible Assets," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-14, May.
    5. Stefano Zamagni & Vera Zamagni, 2010. "Cooperative Enterprise," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 13842.
    6. Sonja Novkovic, 2022. "Cooperative identity as a yardstick for transformative change," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 93(2), pages 313-336, June.
    7. Linda Godfrey & Suzan Oelofse, 2017. "Historical Review of Waste Management and Recycling in South Africa," Resources, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-11, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Evaldo Costa & Margarida Fontes & Nuno Bento, 2023. "Transformative Business Models for Decarbonization: Insights from Prize-Winning Start-Ups at the Web Summit," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-23, September.
    2. Calabrese, Giuseppe Giulio & Falavigna, Greta, 2024. "Do social cooperatives stimulate social change? An investigation on Italian firms based on DEA-Malmquist approach," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    3. Ziegler, Rafael & Bauwens, Thomas & Roy, Michael J. & Teasdale, Simon & Fourrier, Ambre & Raufflet, Emmanuel, 2023. "Embedding circularity: Theorizing the social economy, its potential, and its challenges," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 214(C).
    4. Asia Guerreschi & Fernando J. Díaz López, 2023. "A Bibliometric Analysis on Cooperatives in Circular Economy and Eco-Innovation Studies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-27, November.

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