A1 Journal article (refereed)
Water-smart circular economy : Conceptualisation, transitional policy instruments and stakeholder perception (2022)

Salminen, J. M., Määttä, K. T., Haimi, H., Maidell, M., Karjalainen, A. K., Noro, K., Koskiaho, J. T., Tikkanen, S., & Pohjola, J. (2022). Water-smart circular economy : Conceptualisation, transitional policy instruments and stakeholder perception. Journal of Cleaner Production, 334, Article 130065. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.130065

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Salminen, Jani M; Määttä, Kalle T; Haimi, Henri; Maidell, Marjo; Karjalainen, Anna K; Noro, Kirsi; Koskiaho, Jari T; Tikkanen, Sarianne; Pohjola, Johanna

Journal or series: Journal of Cleaner Production

ISSN: 0959-6526

eISSN: 1879-1786

Publication year: 2022

Volume: 334

Article number: 130065

Publisher: Elsevier

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.130065

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/79398

Abstract

The Circular Economy (CE) is a concept that has gained considerable global attention during the past decade amongst private and public sector actors, politicians and policymakers, citizens and media, and scientific communities. Water and water-related ecosystems, despite their vital role in practically all human activities, have been largely missing from conceptualisations and scientific definitions of the CE. Therefore, this paper presents a definition and concept for a water-smart CE that incorporates water and water-related ecosystems. A water-smart CE would (i) reduce losses of water, energy and valuable substances, (ii) improve water efficiency and productivity, (iii) reuse treated wastewater, and (iv) better protect and lessen pressure upon water-related (both aquatic and groundwater) ecosystems. The paper also touches upon the potential risks of the CE to water-related ecosystems. Policy instruments that could be used to promote a transition towards a water-smart CE in Finland – the setting of the present study – and beyond were also sought. Additionally, actors who provide and/or use water-smart CE solutions were interviewed to shed light on their perceptions about the drivers of, barriers to and potential policy instruments for promoting a transition towards a water-smart CE. Based on the analyses of policy instruments and stakeholder interviews, a mixed use of economic, regulatory and informative instruments is suggested to support the desired transition towards a water-smart CE in Finland and elsewhere.

Keywords: circular economy; recycling; sustainable use; water use; water policy; waste water treatment; waste utilisation

Free keywords: circular economy; sustainability transitions; water use; recycling; economic instruments

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2022

JUFO rating: 2