Transition to circular economy in the Brazilian plastic industry supply chain
Main Article Content
Abstract
The current production, use, and disposal of plastics fail to capture the economic benefits of a circular approach, highlighting the need for urgent shifts toward a Circular Economy (CE). This paper is based on a case study in the Brazilian plastic packaging industry supply chain using a systematic literature review, secondary data collection, and semi-structured interviews to investigate the transition of the plastic packaging industry to CE, focusing on barriers, drivers, initiatives, and opportunities. The results highlight key drivers and barriers influencing the transition toward a CE, emphasizing the role of legislation, public policies, brand owners’commitments, and consumer niche demands. While initiatives such as legal frameworks, multi-stakeholder collaborations, and business innovations show promise, significant barriers remain in the Brazilian context, requiring improved waste management policies and enhanced collaboration among stakeholders. The research also underscores the potential societal benefits of transitioning to a CE, including improved resource efficiency and reduced environmental impact.
Downloads
Metrics
Article Details
A RAE compromete-se a contribuir com a proteção dos direitos intelectuais do autor. Nesse sentido:
- adota a licença Creative Commoms BY (CC-BY) em todos os textos que publica, exceto quando houver indicação de específicos detentores dos direitos autorais e patrimoniais;
- adota software de detecção de similaridades;
- adota ações de combate ao plagio e má conduta ética, alinhada às diretrizes do Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE)
References
Bardin, L. (2016). Análise de conteúdo. Edições 70.
Batista, L., Gong, Y., Pereira, S., Jia, F., & Bittar, A. (2019). Circular supply chains in emerging economies: A comparative study of packaging recovery ecosystems in China and Brazil. International Journal of Production Research, 57(23), 7248-7268 . https://doi.org/10.1080/00207543.2018.1558295
Campos, L. M. S., & Vazquez-Brust, D. A. (2016). Lean and green synergies in supply chain management. Supply Chain Management, 21(5), 627-641. https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-03-2016-0101
Chen, L., Zhao, X., Tang, O., Price, L., Zhang, S., & Zhu, W. (2017). Supply chain collaboration for sustainability: A literature review and future research agenda. International Journal of Production Economics, 194, 73-87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2017.04.005
Chioatto, E., & Sospiro, P. (2023). Transition from waste management to circular economy: The European Union roadmap. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 25(1), 249-276. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-02050-3
Coderoni, S., & Perito, M. A. (2020). Sustainable consumption in the circular economy: An analysis of consumers’ purchase intentions for waste-to-value food. Journal of Cleaner Production, 252, 119870. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119870
Eriksen, M. K., Pivnenko, K., Faraca, G., Boldrin, A., & Astrup, T. F. (2020). Dynamic material flow analysis of PET, PE, and PP flows in Europe: Evaluation of the potential for circular economy. Environmental Science & Technology, 54(24), 16166-16175. https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c03435?ref=pdf
European Commission. (2018). A European strategy for plastics in a circular economy. Retreived from https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/txt/?qid=1516265440535&uri=com:2018:28:fin
European Commission. (2020). Circular Economy Action Plan: For a cleaner and more competitive Europe. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/environment/pdf/circular-economy/new_circular_economy_action_plan.pdf
European Parliament. (2019). Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment. Retrieved from https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32019L0904&from=EN.
García-Sánchez, J. & Martínez-Ferrero, I. M. (2017). Coercive, normative, and mimetic isomorphism as determinants of the voluntary assurance of sustainability reports. International Business Review, 26, 102-118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2016.05.009
Ghisellini, P., Cialani, C., & Ulgiati, S. (2016). A review on circular economy: The expected transition to a balanced interplay of environmental and economic systems. Journal of Cleaner Production, 114, 11-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.09.007
Groh, K. J., Backhaus, T., Carney-Almroth, B., Geueke, B., Inostroza, P. A., Lennquist, A., Leslie, H. A., Maffini, M., Slungef, D., Trasande, L., Warhust, A. M., & Munckea, J. (2019). Overview of known plastic packaging-associated chemicals and their hazards. Science of the Total Environment, 651, 3253-3268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.015
Guarnieri, P., Cerqueira-Streit, J. A, & Batista, L. C. (2020). Reverse logistics and the sectoral agreement of packaging industry in Brazil towards a transition to circular economy. Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 153, 104541. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.104541
Jesus, A. De, & Mendonça, S. (2018). Lost in transition? Drivers and barriers in the eco-innovation road to the circular economy. Ecological Economics, 145, 75-89.
Kalaitzi, D., Matopoulos, A., Bourlakis, M., & Tate, W. (2018). Supply chain strategies in an era of natural resource scarcity. International Journal of Operations & Production Management, 38(3), 784-809. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2017.08.001
Kirchherr, J., Piscicelli, L., Bour, R., Kostense-Schmidt, E., Muller, J., Huibrechtse-Truijens, A., & Hekkert, M. (2018). Barriers to the Circular Economy: Evidence from the European Union (EU). Ecological Economics, 150(8), 264-272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2018.04.028
Korhonen, J., Honkasalo, A., & Seppälä, J. (2018). Circular Economy: The concepts and its limitations. Ecological Economics, 143, 37-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2017.06.041
Lederer, J., Bartl, A., Blasenbauer, D., Breslmayer, G., Gritsch, S. H., Lipp, A. M., & Mühl, J. (2022). A review of recent trends to increase the share of post-consumer packaging waste to recycling in Europe. Detritus, 19, 3-17. https://doi.org/10.31025/2611-4135/2022.15198
Lei n. 12.305, de 2010. (2010). Institui a Política Nacional de Resíduos Sólidos; altera a Lei n. 9.605, de 12 de fevereiro de 1998; e dá outras providências. Brasília, DF: Presidência da República. http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/_ato2007-2010/2010/lei/l12305.htm
Lieder, M., & Rashid, A. (2016). Towards circular economy implementation: A comprehensive review in context of manufacturing industry. Journal of Cleaner Production, 115, 36-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.12.042
Lima, L. R., Gutierrez, R. F., & Cruz, S. A. (2022). Challenges in the context of single-use plastics and bioplastics in Brazil: A legislative review. Waste Management & Research, 40(7), 998-1006. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X211055548
Lombardi, M., Rana, R., & Fellner, J. (2021). Material flow analysis and sustainability of the Italian plastic packaging management. Journal of Cleaner Production, 287, 125573. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125573
Lopez-Aguilar, J. F., Sevigné-Itoiz, E., Maspoch, M. L., & Peña, J. (2022). A realistic material flow analysis for end-of-life plastic packaging management in Spain: Data gaps and suggestions for improvements towards effective recyclability. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 31, 209-219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2022.02.011
Lorang, S., Yang, Z., Zhang, H., Lu, F., & He, P. (2022). Achievements and policy trends of extended producer responsibility for plastic packaging waste in Europe. Waste Disposal & Sustainable Energy, 4, 91-103. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42768-022-00098-z
Mager, M., Taxler, I., Fischer, J., & Finger, D. C. (2022). Potential analysis of the plastics value chain for enhanced recycling rates: A case study in Iceland. Recycling, 7(73 ). https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling7050073
Matthews, C., Moran, F., Jaiswal, A. K. (2021). A review on European Union’s strategy for plastics in a circular economy and its impact on food safety. Journal of Cleaner Production, 283, 125263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125263
Merli, R., Preziosi, M., & Acampora, A. (2018). How do scholars approach the circular economy? A systematic literature review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 178, 703-722. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.12.112
Milios, L. (2021). Towards a circular economy taxation framework: Expectations and challenges of implementation. Circular Economy and Sustainability, 1, 477-498. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-020-00002-z
Moog, S., Spicer, A., & Böhm, S. (2015). The politics of multi-stakeholder initiatives: The crisis of the Forest Stewardship Council. Journal of Business Ethics, 128, 469-493. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-013-2033-3
Morais, L. H. L. De, Pinto, D. C., & Cruz-Jesus, F. (2021). Circular economy engagement: Altruism, status, and cultural orientation as drivers for sustainable consumption. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 27, 523-533. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2021.01.019
Moreno, B. B., Rodrigues, B. V., Afonso, L. R., Jimenez, P. C., & Castro, Í. B. (2023). High incidence of false biodegradability claims related to single-use plastic utensils sold in Brazil. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 41, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2023.07.024
Murray, A., Skene, K., & Haynes, K. (2017). The circular economy: An interdisciplinary exploration of the concept and application in a global context. Journal of Business Ethics, 140, 369-380. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2693-2
Neves, S. A., & Marques, A. C. (2022). Drivers and barriers in the transition from a linear economy to a circular economy. Journal of Cleaner Production, 341, 130865. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.130865
Paletta, A., Leal-Filho, W., Balogun, A. L., Foschi, E., & Bonoli, A. (2019). Barriers and challenges to plastic valorisation in the context of a circular economy: Case studies from Italy. Journal of Cleaner Production, 241, 118149. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118149
Picuno, C., Eygen, E. Van, Brouwer, M. T., Kuchta, K., & Velzen, E. U. T. van. (2021). Factors shaping the recycling systems for plastic packaging waste: A comparison between Austria, Germany, and The Netherlands. Sustainability, 13, 6772. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13126772
Pincelli, I. P., Castilhos, A. B., Júnior, Matias, M. S., & Rutkowski, E. W. (2021). Post-consumer plastic packaging waste flow analysis for Brazil: The challenges moving towards a circular economy. Waste Management, 126, 781-790. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2021.04.005
Rambonnet, L., Vink, S. C., Land-Zandstra, A. M., & Bosker, T. (2019). Making citizen science count: Best practices and challenges of citizen science projects on plastics in aquatic environments. Marina Pollution Bulletin, 145, 271-277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.05.056
Reike, D., Vermeulen, W. J. V., & Witjes, S. (2018). The circular economy: New or Refurbished as CE 3.0? — Exploring controversies in the conceptualization of the circular economy through a focus on history and resource value retention options. Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 135, 246-264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2017.08.027
Rubio, S., Ramos, T. R. P., Leitão, M. M. R., & Barbosa-Póvoa, A. P. (2019). Effectiveness of extended producer responsibility policies implementation: The case of Portuguese and Spanish packaging waste systems. Journal of Cleaner Production, 210, 217-230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.10.299
Shi, J., Zhang, C., & Chen, W. Q. (2021). The expansion and shrinkage of the international trade network of plastic wastes affected by China’s waste management policies. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 25, 187-197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2020.08.005
Temesgen, A., Storsletten, V., & Jakobsen, O. (2021). Circular economy–reducing symptoms or radical change? Philosophy of Management, 20(1), 37-56. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40926-019-00112-1
Tunn, V. S. C., Bocken, N. M. P., Hende, E. A. van den, & Schoormans, J. P. L. (2019). Business models for sustainable consumption in the circular economy: An expert study. Journal of Cleaner Production, 212, 324-333. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.11.290
Vasconcelos, D. C. De, Viana, F. L. E., & Souza, A. L. De. (2021). Circular economy and sustainability in the fresh fruit supply chain: A study across brazil and the uk. Latin American Business Review, 22(4), 393-421. https://doi.org/10.1080/10978526.2021.1941070
Yin, R. K. (2014). Estudo de caso: Planejamento e métodos (5a ed.). Bookman.
Zhou, G., Gu, Y., Wu, Y., Gong, Y., Mu, X., Han, H., & Chang, T. (2020). A systematic review of the deposit-refund system for beverage packaging: Operating mode, key parameter, and development trend. Journal of Cleaner Production, 251, 119660. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119660