This paper aims at comparatively analyzing the IS process in three remarkable empirical cases. Ostrom’s Institutional Analysis and Development framework and its categories for analysis are used to understand each process. A theoretical and analytical framework is proposed based on a survey of contextual elements that shaped the behavior of organizations towards Industrial Symbiosis practices. The results show that although there was no clear, linear order in which the actors developed symbiotic relationships, the decisions related to Industrial Symbiosis are shaped by a similar set of variables. These variables range from technical and economic aspects, such as the diversity of industries and the viability of exchanges, to social and institutional aspects, encompassing critical environmental issues; bilateral agreements; collective engagement; trust to build cooperative relationships; communication and information sharing strategies; integrated regulatory framework at three levels; congruence between government and company actions to create a cooperative environment; and governance structures involving local government, companies, research and development institutions, and a coordinating entity or the champion. This framework may serve as a reference for diagnostic analyses assessing aspects that can be improved wherein Industrial Symbiosis is already underway. It may also be useful in prescriptive analyses assessing the potential for implementing IS.

The aim of this study is to conduct a meta-analysis of the research published between 2012 and 2022 on solid waste management (SWM) and the circular economy (CE) using bibliometrics. To this end, the Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases were used as sources of publications. Processing was conducted using the R language version 4.2.2 and the Bibliometrix software package version 4.1.2. A theoretical basis was built on the terms in order to present their interactions in the context of scientific debate. The results show that there is a need to create indicators to facilitate the evaluation of SWM. They can be identified from the data collected during the management process. Examples include the volume of material collected, operating costs, and recycling rates. Indicators are important in the waste management process because they help quantify the effectiveness of the management practices adopted, help to identify areas that need improvement, and make it possible to monitor the progress of work over time and the achievement of previously set targets. Two other important results are the maximization of the use of resources by increasing the useful life of the product and the emergence of new sustainable business models with recycling as a driving force. Finally, and perhaps the most disruptive discovery, is the integration of SWM and CE with blockchain technology to reduce the levels of waste production. This shows how new technologies can be used as partners in solving complex problems, such as solid waste (SW).

This paper aims to analyze organisations’ behaviour in the Industrial Symbiosis implementation process in the Circular Economy Pilot Project, in Brazil from the actors’ perception. We conducted an exploratory and descriptive study with a qualitative approach to attain the research objective. The data collection involved in depth interviews with eighteen actors. Data were analyzed using the Content Analysis technique. The study results in show a still incipient industrial symbiosis network, with few connections between industrial actors, based on bilateral exchanges of materials, water and energy. From the analysis, it was possible to identify the elements that influence the behaviour of organisations. When it comes to exogenous elements, it is clear that laws and sanctions are the ones that most determine organisational action. However, this pressure is still focused on the traditional and unidirectional model of production processes. Economic viability was identified as a primary factor for the objective elements of organisational action. Regarding the subjective elements, it was found that there was already an interaction before the project between some companies, especially those from automotive sector. With the project’s initiative, this social interaction was intensified, including between companies from different sectors. Regarding the barriers, we found the absence of governmental actions, unavailability of time and involvement of the managers to fully participate in the project, high cost of waste disposal versus the cost of investment and, discontinuity of actions. Overall, the study indicates that the project increased the institutional capacity of the region to develop industrial symbiosis, as it advanced in sharing new knowledge, promoted more significant interaction between organisations and identified business opportunities for companies. However, it appears that the project’s continuity will be conditioned to improve some aspects of the governance structure, regulatory framework and collective engagement. These results can be helpful for researchers studying this topic and managers in Brazil and other emerging countries in Latin America, as well as, policymakers involved in public policies aimed to enable the transition to a circular e more sustainable model.

The purpose of this text is to provide a long-term record of occurrences of the species Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit. in the Brazilian territory, in order to (i) determine if its introduction occurred before the earliest official record, (ii) identify points of occurrence in Brazil, and (iii) assess its status as a useful although invasive plant. The text is partly based on research done on the confirmed presence of this plant in the Brasília National Park, located in Brazil’s Federal District. Three databases available on the Internet containing information from several herbariums were accessed to obtain the location and the dates of the relevant records of the plant in Brazilian territory. We found that the species was rather widely present in the Brazilian territory before the official record of its earliest introduction. In addition, we found that the plant’s current geographic distribution indicates that it continues to have a strong invasive potential in Brazil, especially because there are social and technical incentives to cultivate it in rural properties.***Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit no Brasil: história de uma planta invasora***O objetivo deste texto é oferecer um histórico de longo prazo das ocorrências da espécie Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit. no território brasileiro, para (i) determinar se a sua introdução aconteceu antes da data oficial de seu primeiro registro, (ii) identificar os seus pontos de ocorrência no Brasil e (iii) avaliar o seu status como uma planta útil, mesmo que invasiva. O texto se baseia em parte em pesquisa conduzida sobre a presença confirmada dessa espécie de origem exótica no Parque Nacional de Brasília, Distrito Federal. Foram acessadas três bases de dados disponíveis na Internet para obter a localização e as datas dos registros relevantes da planta no território brasileiro. A pesquisa constatou que a espécie tinha uma presença relativamente abrangente no Brasil muito antes do primeiro registro oficial de sua introdução. Além disso, foi constatado que a atual distribuição geográfica da planta indica que ela continua a ter um forte potencial invasivo no Brasil, especialmente porque existem incentivos econômicos e técnicos para o seu cultivo em propriedades rurais.Palavras-chave: Leucaena leucocephala. ocorrência geográfica. espécies invasivas. Brasil.

The circular economy (CE) has emerged as a viable alternative for tackling the problems caused by rising consumption, including solid waste (SW). The present study conducted a meta-analysis of research published between 2012 and 2022 on CE and solid waste management (SWM). A bibliometric analysis was used from the Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases. By studying the articles, we briefly discussed the connections between them and how one contributes to the evolution of the other. Some findings point to greater collaboration between Italy and Bolivia, followed by China and Malaysia. However, they move away from the traditional axes as the United States and Canada. In addition, it was found that the adoption of reuse and selective collection, in fact, allow the reduction of the volume of discarded materials. In this way, it was possible to conclude that a greater connection between CE and GRS makes it possible to optimize the useful life of landfills through the treatment of organic waste and recycling, to encourage waste picker cooperatives and selective collection programs, and to reduce the financial costs of the system as a whole, making it more durable and sustainable.