Original title: Implementation of Circular Economy Business Models by Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): Barriers and Enablers
A circular economyAn approach that aims to keep materials in use and reduce waste. aims to keep materials useful instead of treating them as waste. Small and medium-sized businesses may save on materials and reach new markets by adopting these practices. But the paper finds that limited money and technical skills can get in the way. It reviews earlier research and SME case studies, then identifies ways policies and business communities could help.
Imagine trying to cook meals with less food waste. You might want to reuse leftovers, but lack the right skills or money for extra storage. In this paper, that kitchen challenge stands for small businesses trying to keep materials in use; shared advice and better ways to reach customers could help them make the change.
SMEs employ many people and make decisions about how materials are used in their businesses. Knowing what blocks circular practices—and what can help—can guide policies toward practical support, such as marketplaces and communities where businesses can share knowledge and find customers.
The abstract describes a literature review and an analysis of SME case studies on the GreenEcoNet platform, but gives no details about the sample size, methods, or how widely the findings apply. It does not report measured effects of the proposed policies, marketplaces, or communities.
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Implementation of Circular Economy Business Models by Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): Barriers and Enablers — Vasileios Rizos, Arno Behrens, Wytze van der Gaast et al. — Sustainability — doi:10.3390/su8111212
Abstract licence: CC BY
Explanation generated by Synthesis from the abstract — it is not the original paper.