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Project title

Mainstreaming Circular Economies Through Collaboration and Co-Creation

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

University of Limerick (UL)

Lead Applicant

Lisa O'Malley

Project Abstract

This research is co-created and collaborative in nature, bringing together a multi-disciplinary team and an industry partner to tackle a priority value chain, enhance circularity, and support entrepreneurship through market insight. The project will explore the impact of new Circular Business Models (CBMs) on supporting SDG Goals 12 and 8, on defining and meeting circularity targets, and on identifying mission critical competencies for sustainable competitive advantage within the seven key value chains as identified in the Circular Economy Action Plan. Green IT, an Irish owned SME specialising in the refurbishment, repurposing and repair of used ICT was chosen as the exemplar case for this demonstration project because it is already engaging with circularity. The electronics and ICT sector is highly impactful in terms of generating waste and contributing to environmental degradation, and the market is deeply embedded within a business logic that is predicated on market growth and product development. It offers significant potential for circularity (high product obsolesce, truncated product lifecycles, emphasis on product innovation and new products). Circular business models (CBMs) that are underpinned by this goods dominant logic are limited in accommodating the connected and creative thinking necessary for market actors to pursue new sources of profit and growth through circularity. In order to mainstream circularity, it is important to determine how customers currently understand and experience value and to identify opportunities and processes that support value co-creation. The exemplar case will evaluate circular business models through multidisciplinary engagement and action research and will develop the critical competencies for circularity within Green IT and its affiliate network. Market research will explore new market segments, examine customer attitudes towards new and refurbished products, determine market readiness and expand opportunities for value co-creation within the ICT sector. A comprehensive review of metrics and indices will be undertaken to establish appropriate assessment criteria to address sustainability, resource use and climate impacts of CBMs. These will be tested alongside the demonstration project and integrated with key policy targets and SDG indicators. Finally, action research will facilitate testing of alternative business models and support collaboration and co-creation within market segments with the highest potential for mainstreaming circularity. The main outcomes of this research will be (1) a critical review of CBMs and their applicability to the Irish context, (2) a functioning demonstration project implemented through the support of our partner SME in a key value chain sector (3) suitable environmental, resource and climate metrics to support CBM development that are co-developed with industry and the EPA (4) an open access, and comprehensive Circularity and Sustainability Toolbox for use by the EPA and enterprise development organisations to facilitate companies in developing CBMs and (5) The Mainstreaming Circularity Symposium will fully disseminate the outcomes of this research and will upskill and train future facilitators of the Circularity and Sustainability Toolbox and bring together key stakeholders.

Grant Approved

�336,196.89

Research Hub

Green and Circular Economy

Research Theme

n/a

Start Date

30/03/2022

Initial Projected Completion Date

30/09/2024