ABSTRACT

The unprecedented pace of urbanization and the rapid depletion of natural resources have prompted policymakers and industry leaders to transition from the traditional linear “take-make-use-dispose” model to a more sustainable and regenerative approach known as the Circular Economy (CE). The CE model emphasizes resource conservation through strategies that prioritize reducing, reusing, recycling, and recovering resources, aiming to minimize waste and extend the lifecycle of materials within economic systems. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of global advancements in the adoption of CE principles specifically within the water sector. By systematically reviewing 98 research publications, the study assesses the economic, environmental, social, and technical dimensions of CE-driven water management, utilizing multiple criteria to evaluate progress and effectiveness.

In an era of environmental change, sustaining or enhancing ecosystems is critical, influencing how we define and manage environmental water needs. Recycling and reuse emerge as essential CE strategies within water management, potentially offering significant improvements through advanced wastewater treatment and purification methods. Ensuring the safe and effective reuse of recycled water, however, requires the application of customized quality standards tailored to specific end uses. Additionally, reliable operational practices and rigorous regulatory frameworks are essential to support water reuse systems and safeguard public health. This research highlights the multifaceted potential of CE in promoting sustainable water use, addressing resource scarcity, and contributing to resilient ecosystems, ultimately providing a roadmap for sustainable water resource management in a rapidly changing world.

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1. Voulvoulis, N., Water reuse from a circular economy perspective and potential risks from an unregulated approach. Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health, 2018. 2: p. 32-45.
2. ourworldindata. Available from: https://ourworldindata.org/co2-emissions.
3. Kakwani, N.S. and P.P. Kalbar, Review of Circular Economy in urban water sector: Challenges and opportunities in India. Journal of Environmental Management, 2020. 271: p. 111010.
4. Schroeder, P., K. Anggraeni, and U. Weber, The relevance of circular economy practices to the sustainable development goals. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 2019. 23(1): p. 77-95.
5. Dominguez, S., et al., LCA of greywater management within a water circular economy restorative thinking framework. Science of the Total Environment, 2018. 621: p. 1047-1056.
6. Sgroi, M., F.G. Vagliasindi, and P. Roccaro, Feasibility, sustainability and circular economy concepts in water reuse. Current opinion in environmental Science & Health, 2018. 2: p. 20-25.
7. Ghosh, S.K., et al., Waste water recycling and management. 2019: Springer.
8. Mannina, G., H. Gulhan, and B.-J. Ni, Water reuse from wastewater treatment: The transition towards circular economy in the water sector. Bioresource Technology, 2022. 363: p. 127951.
9. Smol, M., C. Adam, and M. Preisner, Circular economy model framework in the European water and wastewater sector. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, 2020. 22: p. 682-697.
10. Villar-Navarro, E., C. Garrido-Perez, and J.A. Perales, Recycling “waste” nutrients back into RAS and FTS marine aquaculture facilities from the perspective of the circular economy. Science of the Total Environment, 2021. 762: p. 143057.
11. Bassi, F. and J.G. Dias, The use of circular economy practices in SMEs across the EU. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 2019. 146: p. 523-533.
12. Neczaj, E. and A. Grosser. Circular economy in wastewater treatment plant–challenges and barriers. in Proceedings. 2018. MDPI.
13. Halog, A. and S. Anieke, A review of circular economy studies in developed countries and its potential adoption in developing countries. Circular Economy and Sustainability, 2021. 1: p. 209-230.
14. Su, B., et al., A review of the circular economy in China: moving from rhetoric to implementation. Journal of cleaner production, 2013. 42: p. 215-227.
15. Heshmati, A., A review of the circular economy and its implementation. International Journal of Green Economics, 2017. 11(3-4): p. 251-288.
16. Pedersen, T.H. and F. Conti, Improving the circular economy via hydrothermal processing of high-density waste plastics. Waste management, 2017. 68: p. 24-31.
17. Kabbe, C., Circular economy: Bridging the gap between phosphorus recovery and recycling. Phosphorus recovery and recycling, 2019: p. 45-57.
18. Zhang, X. and Y. Liu, Circular economy is game-changing municipal wastewater treatment technology towards energy and carbon neutrality. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2022. 429: p. 132114.

ABSTRACT

The unprecedented pace of urbanization and the rapid depletion of natural resources have prompted policymakers and industry leaders to transition from the traditional linear “take-make-use-dispose” model to a more sustainable and regenerative approach known as the Circular Economy (CE). The CE model emphasizes resource conservation through strategies that prioritize reducing, reusing, recycling, and recovering resources, aiming to minimize waste and extend the lifecycle of materials within economic systems. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of global advancements in the adoption of CE principles specifically within the water sector. By systematically reviewing 98 research publications, the study assesses the economic, environmental, social, and technical dimensions of CE-driven water management, utilizing multiple criteria to evaluate progress and effectiveness.

In an era of environmental change, sustaining or enhancing ecosystems is critical, influencing how we define and manage environmental water needs. Recycling and reuse emerge as essential CE strategies within water management, potentially offering significant improvements through advanced wastewater treatment and purification methods. Ensuring the safe and effective reuse of recycled water, however, requires the application of customized quality standards tailored to specific end uses. Additionally, reliable operational practices and rigorous regulatory frameworks are essential to support water reuse systems and safeguard public health. This research highlights the multifaceted potential of CE in promoting sustainable water use, addressing resource scarcity, and contributing to resilient ecosystems, ultimately providing a roadmap for sustainable water resource management in a rapidly changing world.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Voulvoulis, N., Water reuse from a circular economy perspective and potential risks from an unregulated approach. Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health, 2018. 2: p. 32-45.
2. ourworldindata. Available from: https://ourworldindata.org/co2-emissions.
3. Kakwani, N.S. and P.P. Kalbar, Review of Circular Economy in urban water sector: Challenges and opportunities in India. Journal of Environmental Management, 2020. 271: p. 111010.
4. Schroeder, P., K. Anggraeni, and U. Weber, The relevance of circular economy practices to the sustainable development goals. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 2019. 23(1): p. 77-95.
5. Dominguez, S., et al., LCA of greywater management within a water circular economy restorative thinking framework. Science of the Total Environment, 2018. 621: p. 1047-1056.
6. Sgroi, M., F.G. Vagliasindi, and P. Roccaro, Feasibility, sustainability and circular economy concepts in water reuse. Current opinion in environmental Science & Health, 2018. 2: p. 20-25.
7. Ghosh, S.K., et al., Waste water recycling and management. 2019: Springer.
8. Mannina, G., H. Gulhan, and B.-J. Ni, Water reuse from wastewater treatment: The transition towards circular economy in the water sector. Bioresource Technology, 2022. 363: p. 127951.
9. Smol, M., C. Adam, and M. Preisner, Circular economy model framework in the European water and wastewater sector. Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management, 2020. 22: p. 682-697.
10. Villar-Navarro, E., C. Garrido-Perez, and J.A. Perales, Recycling “waste” nutrients back into RAS and FTS marine aquaculture facilities from the perspective of the circular economy. Science of the Total Environment, 2021. 762: p. 143057.
11. Bassi, F. and J.G. Dias, The use of circular economy practices in SMEs across the EU. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 2019. 146: p. 523-533.
12. Neczaj, E. and A. Grosser. Circular economy in wastewater treatment plant–challenges and barriers. in Proceedings. 2018. MDPI.
13. Halog, A. and S. Anieke, A review of circular economy studies in developed countries and its potential adoption in developing countries. Circular Economy and Sustainability, 2021. 1: p. 209-230.
14. Su, B., et al., A review of the circular economy in China: moving from rhetoric to implementation. Journal of cleaner production, 2013. 42: p. 215-227.
15. Heshmati, A., A review of the circular economy and its implementation. International Journal of Green Economics, 2017. 11(3-4): p. 251-288.
16. Pedersen, T.H. and F. Conti, Improving the circular economy via hydrothermal processing of high-density waste plastics. Waste management, 2017. 68: p. 24-31.
17. Kabbe, C., Circular economy: Bridging the gap between phosphorus recovery and recycling. Phosphorus recovery and recycling, 2019: p. 45-57.
18. Zhang, X. and Y. Liu, Circular economy is game-changing municipal wastewater treatment technology towards energy and carbon neutrality. Chemical Engineering Journal, 2022. 429: p. 132114.