CIRCULAR FASHION IN BRAZIL: SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTING CIRCULAR ECONOMY PRINCIPLES

Green and Circular Economy: Old Practices, New Nuances

This paper provides anecdotes and examples on a wide range of topics related to sustainability, circular economy, local governance, and community development in Nepal, and illustrates the disconnect between global concepts like the circular economy and the ground realities of rural Nepal. It discusses the origins of the circular economy concept, its benefits, and the challenges likely to be faced while transitioning from a linear model of production and consumption to one that is cyclical. The role of local governments in adopting new practices like waste management and the potential pitfalls of introducing modern solutions without considering traditional practices and local contexts have been analyzed within the complexities surrounding the circular economy, especially in relation to practicality in implementation in rural areas. Being based on secondary literatures, and the author’s own observation-based reflection, the article also discusses how imported ideas and practices, if not aligned with local traditions and resources, can lead to unintended consequences and challenges. The critique of initiatives that prioritize superficial modernization over addressing core issues like sustainable waste management or preserving traditional farming practices has also been discussed.

RECYCLING STARTUPS IN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY TO MITIGATE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: THE CASE OF ECUADOR

The objective of this study is to analyze the role of recycling startups as emerging agents of the circular economy within the Ecuadorian context, from the perspective of solid waste management to mitigate environmental impact. To this end, a qualitative research paradigm with an exploratory and descriptive approach was adopted, developed in two phases: a systematic PRISMA literature review and semi-structured interviews with experts in the field of the circular economy, such as entrepreneurs and academics. Innovative business models, barriers and opportunities for green entrepreneurs, the current state of institutional coordination, and the situation of informal recyclers in terms of labor and social inclusion were identified. The results reveal that startups contribute to waste reduction and job creation, but a regulatory framework must be established to ensure institutional coordination. In addition, the importance of informal recyclers as key players in the recycling value chain is highlighted. It is concluded that startups are catalysts for the transition to the circular economy, but their business model requires strategic alliances with the government and universities to mitigate financial and operational risk, as well as ensuring sustainability through public policies and local innovation.

Circular economy approach: A sustainable business model in transforming farmers’ livelihoods

The transition toward a circular economy in agriculture is essential for improving resource efficiency, reducing waste, and strengthening farmers’ livelihoods. This study aims to formulate a sustainable business model based on a circular economy approach to support the transformation of farmers’ livelihoods. A qualitative descriptive case study was conducted using interviews, focus group discussions, field observations, and secondary data. The data were analyzed using SWOT, IFAS–EFAS, and TOWS matrices to identify internal and external strategic factors. The IFAS results show that strengths exceed weaknesses, with a difference of 0.415, while the EFAS results indicate that opportunities exceed threats, with a difference of 0.414. These findings place the farmers’ business position in the aggressive or SO quadrant. The key strategic insight is that farmers should prioritize market expansion for organic products, technology adoption, product differentiation, stronger partnerships, and research collaboration while gradually improving post-harvest processing, packaging, human resource regeneration, and access to financing. A circular economy-based sustainable business model is feasible for transforming farmers’ livelihoods by improving cost efficiency, product quality, supply stability, market access, and business resilience.

Regenerative Spirits: A Systems Thinking Analysis of Circular Economy Implementation in the Distilling Industry

Transitioning toward a circular and regenerative economy requires more than technological innovation; it demands a shift in the underlying systems that shape how value, knowledge, and legitimacy are defined [Meadows D, Randers J, Meadows D, The limits to growth: the 30-year update, Routledge (2012); Raworth K, Doughnut economics: seven ways to think like a 21st-century economist, Chelsea Green Publishing (2017)]. While the circular economy (CE) is widely promoted as a pathway to sustainability, its implementation across industrial sectors remains uneven and frequently limited to efficiency-driven, technical interventions [Voulvoulis N et al., Glob. Environ. Change 75:102544 (2022)]. This paper examines the systemic conditions that constrain the adoption of circular economy principles through a case study of the craft distilling industry in regional Victoria, Australia. Guided by Sposito’s (2021) Rational–Holistic Model of Planning and Decision-Making, the study applies a multimethodological systems approach, integrating thematic analysis, boundary critique, and soft systems tools (PQR and CATWOE). This enables an exploration of how system structures - particularly those relating to motivation, control, knowledge, and legitimacy - shape what is considered feasible and acceptable in practice. The findings reveal that barriers to circular economy implementation are not solely technical or economic but are embedded within broader institutional and cultural frameworks. Regulatory fragmentation, compliance-driven definitions of legitimacy, and economically dominant worldviews constrain the uptake of more regenerative practices. By contrasting existing (“is mode”) and alternative (“ought mode”) system configurations, the study highlights the importance of reconfiguring underlying assumptions about system purpose and governance. The paper contributes methodologically by demonstrating how systems thinking combined with thematic analysis can reveal structural constraints, and conceptually by positioning CE as a pathway dependent on a broader shift toward a sustainability-oriented worldview.

The Role of Indigenous Himalayan Crafts in Contemporary Circular Fashion: Opportunities and Challenges

The fashion industry is currently shifting from a linear "take-make-waste" model to a restorative circular economy, and although the techno-centric recycling approach to industrial circularity has been the subject of much discussion, indigenous craft systems provide a previously unexplored, time-tested example of a locally applicable, low-impact, and emotionally durable product lifecycle. This review paper systematically examines the potential application of vernacular woodwork (Likhai) and ceremonial folk arts (Barboond) from the Kumaon region of India to the core principles of modern circular fashion, including the material ecologies, geometric design languages, and decentralized supply chains, identifying opportunities for sustainable product-service systems while addressing the systemic challenges of scalability bottlenecks, structural fragmentation, and the preservation of cultural authenticity during digital transformation. Simultaneously, it tackles systemic issues such as structural fragmentation, scalability bottlenecks, and maintaining cultural authenticity during digital transformation. In order to promote cultural and ecological longevity, this study ultimately suggests a comprehensive "Himalayan Circular Design Matrix," which connects traditional knowledge with CAD-driven modern clothing systems.

On the Definition, Assessment, and Enhancement of Circular Economy across Various Industrial Sectors: A Literature Review and Recent Findings