Sustainability of the Circular Economy

Dear Colleagues,

The concept of circular economy, while appealing at first glance, involves deep transformations at various scales. Its implementation involves systems analysis, life-cycle thinking, and commonly overlaps with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, there is evidence that this is not always the case. Often, recycling processes may be more energy-intensive than production from new raw materials. Processes modified to improve their circularity indicators may translate negative environmental impacts up or down the life cycle. Hence, life cycle assessments are key for understanding the implications of circular systems in relation to the SDG. Furthermore, social aspects and impacts of process circularity are largely unknown and rarely included in sustainability assessments. Understanding the relationship between process circularity and socio-environmental impacts is fundamental for informed policy making, addressing a transition to a circular economy.

Hence, this Special Issue aims to produce scientific information addressing one or more of the following research questions:

• How can life cycle assessment and sustainability indicators be applied to the evaluation of product and process circularity?
• How does energy management play a role in making circular initiatives sustainable?
• What are the social impacts, either positive or negative, that can be generated when applying the principles of circular economy?
• What are the indicators that best describe a successful low-carbon circular economy project without ignoring important underlying issues, such as social impacts or net emissions?
• What are the main social aspects and indicators that should be included in the implementation of a circular economy strategy in the context of industry, government, academia and universities, social innovations, and entrepreneurship?
• What strategies can be implemented to promote the circular economy through new processes, materials, and products?
• What case studies are successful examples of circularity in the various contexts of human development, such as industry, government, academia and universities, social innovations, and entrepreneurship?

The above questions are examples of topics that may help to increase our understanding of the linkages between the concepts of circular economy and one or more of the following: eco-design, process/product sustainability, eco-efficiency, net-zero emissions, bioeconomy, environmental LCA, social LCA, and recycling strategies. We encourage submissions addressing any of these topics. Original papers, critical reviews, and country reports are also welcome for submission.

Prof. Dr. Julio Sacramento Rivero
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Recycling is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• circular economy
• LCA
• life cycle assessment
• sustainability
• recycling
• social impact