Circular Economy, Industrial Ecology and Short Supply Chain

In contrast to the linear "e;take-make-dispose"e; model of resource consumption, a new industrial model is proposed in the form of a circular economy. This model aims to optimize the use of resources and to reduce or eliminate waste, and is based on re-use, repair, ecodesign, industrial ecology, sustainable supply and responsible consumption. Industrial ecology and short supply chains can contribute particularly on a territorial scale to the emergence of a real sustainable development. This book develops these concepts and presents experiments that are taking place in France and other countries, in addition to an integrated model which details the mechanisms through which industrial ecology and short supply chains can generate economic, social and environmental profits. The possible issues and obstacles facing these new practices are also analyzed, in order to develop the outline of an adapted management and governance which will enable them to be fully realized.

In contrast to the linear "take-make-dispose" model of resource consumption, a new industrial model is proposed in the form of a circular economy. This model aims to optimize the use of resources and to reduce or eliminate waste, and is based on re-use, repair, ecodesign, industrial ecology, sustainable supply and responsible consumption.Industrial ecology and short supply chains can contribute - particularly on a territorial scale - to the emergence of a real sustainable development. This book develops these concepts and presents experiments that are taking place in France and other countries, in addition to an integrated model which details the mechanisms through which industrial ecology and short supply chains can generate economic, social and environmental profits. The possible issues and obstacles facing these new practices are also analyzed, in order to develop the outline of an adapted management and governance which will enable them to be fully realized.

Preface viiIntroduction ixChapter 1. Building Region-based Sustainable Development: Vocabulary and Tools 11.1. Circular economy 21.1.1. The circular economy according to the MacArthur Foundation 21.1.2. Experiments in circular economy 51.1.3. Factual and scientific origins of circular economy 141.2. Industrial ecology 211.2.1. Industrial ecology and sustainable development 211.2.2. Industrial metabolism and symbiosis 251.2.3. Experiments in industrial ecology 281.3. Short supply chains 381.3.1. Origins of short food supply chains: criticism of industrial "long" supply chains 391.3.2. Forms and functioning of short food supply chains 441.3.3. Short supply chains: generators of social innovation 491.4. Industrial ecology, short supply chains and sustainable regional development 511.4.1. Links among these different concepts: the creation of sustainable territories 511.4.2. Proximity and innovative "milieu": key ingredients for sustainable regional development 551.4.3. An assessment of the regional impacts of industrial ecology and short supply chains 59Chapter 2. Difficulties, Barriers and Stakes in Transitioning Towards Sustainable Regions 652.1. Barriers to the implementation of industrial ecology and short supply chains 662.1.1. The case of industrial ecology 662.1.2. The case of short food supply chains 722.2. How to overcome or reduce these obstacles: the role of service activities 842.2.1. Definition of service activities 842.2.2. What role do service activities have in the implementation of industrial ecology and short food supply chains? 862.3. Challenges for public policy 922.3.1. The issue of governance 922.3.2. The issue of coordination . 962.3.3. What is the relevant territorial scale? 99Conclusion 103Bibliography 107Index 121