Adoption of a Circular Economy Must Incorporate Social Dimensions
A new study from the Humanities and Social Sciences Communications Journal examined the potential for integrating social innovation and circular economy development to improve sustainable development strategies.
Waste is one of the biggest problems that faces the United States, and over 2 billion tonnes of waste is generated worldwide (UNEP, 2024). With its implications spanning health hazards, habitat loss, and greenhouse gas emissions, the current linear consumer and waste system cannot continue in its current form. The alternative is the rising presence of a circular economy (CE), a system that prevents waste by reusing and repurposing items instead of throwing them away because “away” is still somewhere on our planet. A circular economy has the potential to also have sustainable economic benefits. However, its implementation has been shown to be difficult due to the long-establishment of the current linear system. Combining economic, environmental, and social dimensions with the introduction of a circular economy has the potential to result in a more effective and socially considerate integration.
Social innovation (SI) has been on the rise and has the potential to be incorporated with CE. With its business and social aspects to address social issues, there is a chance for CE to consider how to be more equitable and for easier transition to CE. A recent study done by Carreño-Ortiz, Escobar-Sierra, and Lopez-Perez, examines the theoretical relationship between SI and CE within the context of sustainable development in order to see where CE can meet and facilitate the need for social reform. Using a bibliometric analysis, a qualitative content analysis of documents, and a theoretical synthesis that allowed linking CE and SI literature, the researchers identified four subgroups to integrate for economic, environmental, and social gains: governance, stakeholders, design, and waste hierarchy.
These four sub-constructs within this study identify the importance of consistent decentralized government, stakeholder participation, intentional and responsive design, and locally rooted frameworks regarding waste to implementing a CE that considers SI. The combination of these components as well as the consideration of economic, environmental, and social frames led to the finding that improving systemic change helps to drive the theoretical relationship between CE and SI. This means that understanding the perspectives and motivations of individuals matter greatly to where a CI can be implemented.
Georgetown REUSE’s four pillars of inclusivity, accessibility, sustainability, and circularity are already established aspects of the organization. Such close alignment between these pillars and the findings of the study speak to the mission of Georgetown REUSE and the impact that we are seeing in the Georgetown community on waste diversion and community participation. The engagement from students, faculty, and staff speak to the community buy-in that is necessary to support Georgetown REUSE and advance all four pillars in the immediate community and beyond.
Article Reference:
Carreño-Ortiz, J., Escobar-Sierra, M. & Lopez-Perez, F. Theoretical relationship between circular economy and social innovation from a sustainable development perspective. Humanit Soc Sci Commun 12, 1549 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05862-0