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The transition towards a sustainable circular economy (CE) model is seen as a solution to keep the consumption of the earth’s resources within planetary boundaries. In the regional context, the CE is promoted through various policy actions, one being the smart specialisation concept. This paper provides a novel approach to examining the spatial adaption of a CE through a conceptual framework of research and innovation strategies for smart specialisation (S3) in Europe. This interdisciplinary research presents a multi-country comparison of S3 implementation in Europe in 12 regions that have defined the CE as a priority area. The data consist of interviews with representatives of organisations responsible for the regional S3 process. The findings indicate that a political demand exists for proceeding further with the construction of transformative activities involving the CE, but the models and stages of implementation vary. In addition, most regions still struggle with building specific monitoring and evaluation measures and mechanisms for the CE. Despite these challenges, promoting the CE as a strategic priority through the S3 process has, at least in some regions, helped define the CE targets and actions by focusing on existing regional assets and future potential.
Susanna Vanhamäki; Satu Rinkinen; Kati Manskinen. Adapting a Circular Economy in Regional Strategies of the European Union. Sustainability 2021, 13, 1518 .
AMA StyleSusanna Vanhamäki, Satu Rinkinen, Kati Manskinen. Adapting a Circular Economy in Regional Strategies of the European Union. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (3):1518.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSusanna Vanhamäki; Satu Rinkinen; Kati Manskinen. 2021. "Adapting a Circular Economy in Regional Strategies of the European Union." Sustainability 13, no. 3: 1518.
The transition towards a circular economy requires a systemic change, where regions play a vital role. In Finland’s Päijät-Häme region, European and national targets for a circular economy were implemented on a regional level. The regional development programme and strategy of the area emphasises a circular economy as a key feature. In practice, a circular economy strategy was set up through a road map process involving stakeholders from local government, industry and academia. The strategy aims to strengthen circular economy implementation in real-world systems through five identified goals. The goals focus on closing both technical and biological loops, as well as promoting sustainable energy technologies, new consumption models and demonstration sites. This paper illustrates how a move towards a circular economy is supported through regional strategy implementation. Furthermore, opportunities and challenges related to the transition towards the circular economy are presented via a case analysis of a local bio-based industrial symbiosis where biogas and fertiliser are produced from biowaste streams and sewage sludge. New technologies such as these create more business opportunities at the interface of material and energy cycles even where their implementation faces financing challenges. Regulations need to support the implementation of effective symbioses emerging from new solutions, but are also needed to safeguard the environment and human health when closing biological loops. The regional circular economy strategy described and the case of bio-based industrial symbiosis are both recognised as transferable good practices at the European level. A stakeholder-based approach is shown to be crucial to continuous development towards a circular economy society.
S. Vanhamäki; M. Virtanen; S. Luste; K. Manskinen. Transition towards a circular economy at a regional level: A case study on closing biological loops. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 2020, 156, 104716 .
AMA StyleS. Vanhamäki, M. Virtanen, S. Luste, K. Manskinen. Transition towards a circular economy at a regional level: A case study on closing biological loops. Resources, Conservation and Recycling. 2020; 156 ():104716.
Chicago/Turabian StyleS. Vanhamäki; M. Virtanen; S. Luste; K. Manskinen. 2020. "Transition towards a circular economy at a regional level: A case study on closing biological loops." Resources, Conservation and Recycling 156, no. : 104716.
The amount of biomass-derived ashes is expected to rise in the EU due to targets to increase the use of renewable energy resources. To promote the reuse of biomass ashes, a regional case study of natural ageing of approximately 1 year was carried out on two landfill fly ash materials originating from wood and wood/peat. The results showed that leaching behaviour differed considerably between the fly ashes. Natural ageing had beneficial effects on the leaching properties of wood fly ash. The leached concentrations of sulphate, chloride, Cr and Mo decreased significantly in this residue. In peat and wood-derived fly ash, natural ageing decreased the leaching of Cr, but had no significant effect on the leaching of Mo and chloride. It was also notable that the leaching of sulphate increased in wood/peat fly ash by more than 130%, exceeding the upper limit value given in national legislation for a paved structure. To comply with the limit values of national legislation concerning the recovery of waste in earth construction, natural ageing alone was not shown to be a sufficient method to reduce the leaching of harmful elements in biomass-derived fly ashes and, thus, further treatments are required.
H. Soininen; K. Manskinen; T. Ranta. Closing the material cycle of biomass-derived fly ashes: a regional case study of natural ageing in Finland. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management 2018, 20, 1832 -1841.
AMA StyleH. Soininen, K. Manskinen, T. Ranta. Closing the material cycle of biomass-derived fly ashes: a regional case study of natural ageing in Finland. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management. 2018; 20 (3):1832-1841.
Chicago/Turabian StyleH. Soininen; K. Manskinen; T. Ranta. 2018. "Closing the material cycle of biomass-derived fly ashes: a regional case study of natural ageing in Finland." Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management 20, no. 3: 1832-1841.