Circular Economy, Industrial Ecology and Short Supply Chain

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.

Delphine Gallaud is Associate Professor in Industrial Organization at AgroSup Dijon in France. She is Vice-President of the Research Network on Innovation.

Blandine Laperche is Associate Professor in Industrial Organization and Innovation at the University Littoral-Côte d’Opale in France. She is Director and Vice-President of the Research Network on Innovation.

Preface vii

Introduction ix

Chapter 1. Building Region-based Sustainable Development: Vocabulary and Tools 1

1.1. Circular economy 2

1.1.1. The circular economy according to the MacArthur Foundation 2

1.1.2. Experiments in circular economy 5

1.1.3. Factual and scientific origins of circular economy 14

1.2. Industrial ecology 21

1.2.1. Industrial ecology and sustainable development 21

1.2.2. Industrial metabolism and symbiosis 25

1.2.3. Experiments in industrial ecology 28

1.3. Short supply chains 38

1.3.1. Origins of short food supply chains: criticism of industrial “long” supply chains 39

1.3.2. Forms and functioning of short food supply chains 44

1.3.3. Short supply chains: generators of social innovation 49

1.4. Industrial ecology, short supply chains and sustainable regional development 51

1.4.1. Links among these different concepts: the creation of sustainable territories 51

1.4.2. Proximity and innovative “milieu”: key ingredients for sustainable regional development 55

1.4.3. An assessment of the regional impacts of industrial ecology and short supply chains 59

Chapter 2. Difficulties, Barriers and Stakes in Transitioning Towards Sustainable Regions 65

2.1. Barriers to the implementation of industrial ecology and short supply chains 66

2.1.1. The case of industrial ecology 66

2.1.2. The case of short food supply chains 72

2.2. How to overcome or reduce these obstacles: the role of service activities 84

2.2.1. Definition of service activities 84

2.2.2. What role do service activities have in the implementation of industrial ecology and short food supply chains? 86

2.3. Challenges for public policy 92

2.3.1. The issue of governance 92

2.3.2. The issue of coordination . 96

2.3.3. What is the relevant territorial scale? 99

Conclusion 103

Bibliography 107

Index 121

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