Eco-innovation and the Circular Economy

The circular economy implies rethinking the supply of raw materials, by favoring short supply chains and reused or recycled materials; to extend the lifespan of goods; to reduce and shift consumption to more collaborative and responsible ways; to preserve the value of goods, materials, and energy by repairing and remanufacturing; and finally, to transform waste into new resources that generate value. However, paradoxically, the circular economy is everywhere in the policy agendas and strategic plans of companies but can hardly be found in the reality of practices. The transition from the linear economy based on the “take, produce, consume and dispose” logic toward an economic model that limits environmental impacts and closes off energy and material flows is not an easy process. This issue of Journal of Innovation Economics and Management sheds light on this paradox but also addresses whether and how the various forms of innovation, technological, but also organizational and social innovation, could offer solutions to lever the obstacles and facilitate the necessary changes in our modes of production and consumption.