R-Strategies

Paper

International Journal of Waste Management · Jul 16, 2025

This paper explores the integration of Circular Economy (CE) principles into Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) across urban models. It examines how cities worldwide are transitioning from linear waste disposal systems to circular models that emphasize waste reduction, resource recovery, and sustainability.

Report

ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability · Aug 26, 2025

A handbook for local governments testing reusable packaging systems in cities, focusing on the 'Reuse' aspect of circular economy strategies for food and beverages.

Article

metabolic.nl

Drawing on our deep systems thinking expertise and 12 years of city collaborations, we developed the Circular Urban Scan: a holistic benchmarking tool evaluating and monitoring the sustainability of cities. An automated scan that accelerates the transition based on systems thinking by scanning seven perspectives: materials, energy, water, biodiversity, culture, well-being and economic value.

Article

circulareconomycourse.com

Certification gives you actionable expertise, developed for C-suite executives mid-career professionals and everyone in between

Article

r-urban.net

R-Urban is a bottom-up strategy that explores the possibilities of enhancing the capacity of urban resilience by introducing a network of resident-run facilities to create complementarities between key fields of activity (economy, housing, urban agriculture, culture). R-Urban initiates locally closed ecological cycles that will support the emergence of alternative models of living, producing and consuming between the urban and the rural.

Article

jukuri.luke.fi

This report discusses the circular economy model through circular economy strategies, the Rstrategies, in three different value chains: textile, battery, and agri-food. The R-strategies can be classified under three approaches: 1) smarter product use and manufacture (R0 Refuse, R1 Rethink, R2 Reduce), 2) life extension strategies (R3 Reuse, R4 Repair, R5 Refurbish, R6 Remanufacture, R7 Re-purpose), and 3) creative material application (R8 Recycle, R9 Recover). Often, the impact on circularity and overall sustainability is likely higher in the beginning of the material value chain. However, the selection of the most optimal R-strategy is always case specific and should be based on a holistic, system wide approach.

Article

mdpi.com

The transition from a linear economy (LE) to a circular economy (CE) is not just about mitigating the negative impacts of LE, but also about considering changes in infrastructure, while leveraging the power of technology to reduce resource production and consumption and waste generation, and improve long-term resilience. The existing research suggests that digital technologies (DTs) have great potential to drive the CE. However, despite the exponential growth and increasing interest in studies on DTs and the CE from year 2016 onwards, few systematic studies on the application of DTs to enable the CE have been found. In addition, the current status and development direction of the DT-driven CE is unclear, and the potential of DTs to support CE implementation is under-researched. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to explore the potential of DTs to drive the CE. This paper set out to analyze the current status and development of the DT-driven CE and examine future development trends in the field. Using a systematic literature review approach, this paper is the first attempt to use a mixed method, i.e., to combine macro-quantitative bibliometric methods with a micro-qualitative content analysis method to explore the DT-driven CE. The results, which include the research background, co-occurrence clusters, research hotspots, and development trends of keyword co-occurrence network visualization and keyword burst detection, are presented from a macro perspective using two bibliometric analysis softwares. In addition, the use of 13 specific DTs in the CE is analyzed according to seven disciplinary areas (Environmental Sciences and Ecology, Engineering, Science and Technology and Other Topics, Business Economics, Computer Science, Operations Research and Management Science, and Construction and Building Technology) of greatest interest from a micro-qualitative point of view. Further, future trends and challenges facing DT-driven CE development are explored and feasible directions for solutions are proposed.

Article

iwaponline.com

Global water scarcity is aggravating with increasing urbanization and inappropriate urban water management. Implementing Circular Economy (CE) strategies in the water sector followed by their assessment can prove to be beneficial. Recently, the Water Circularity Indicator (WCI) has been developed to measure, monitor, improve and promote urban water circularity using the 5Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Reclaim, Restore). Apprehending the role and scope of each strategy is crucial while planning future water infrastructure, as each strategy has inherent advantages and limitations in application. This study aims to facilitate decision-makers with an approach to prioritize 5Rs CE strategies, which will be helpful in the efficient allocation of funds and resources related to water infrastructure. A methodology is proposed to prioritize and weigh 5Rs based on the effort required to fulfill the application of each strategy. Using weights assigned to each R, WCI is improved to WCI-2.0 and is evaluated for the region under the jurisdiction of Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation. The results from WCI-2.0 suggest which strategy to focus on out of the 5Rs to accelerate water circularity and effective infrastructure planning. Benchmarking of WCI-2.0 and its use to propose policies supporting urban water balance has the potential to change the prospects of the water sector.

Article

webgate.ec.europa.eu

Collective action in European urban areas is increasingly advocated in order to confront common challenges: global warming; the depletion of fossil fuels and other natural resources; economic recession; population changes; and housing and employment crises. The active involvement of citizens is crucial for creating alternative models of production and consumption based on closed local cycles and sustainability. To foster a commitment to greener lifestyles, we need tools, knowledge and places to test new practices and bottom-up initiatives. The results and benefits of transforming cities need to be highlighted.

Article

circle-economy.com

The Netherlands has made notable progress in recycling and waste management over the past years. However, the nation’s sheer volume of waste production hinders its goal of having a fully circular economy by 2050. On average, Dutch households produce 524 kilogrammes of waste per capita, which is above the European average of 517 kilogrammes per capita. This constitutes a total of 9.1 million tonnes of household waste generated in the Netherlands annually and underscores the need for robust waste prevention strategies.