The building sector is resource intensive and contributes significantly to Climate change. In recent times, many initiatives are being undertaken to make today’s situation better. Among them, the Circular economy has become an attractive topic for implementation of sustainability in various sectors.  A case study has been performed to assess the environmental impacts of a ‘circular’ kitchen at Chainable company in the Netherlands through life cycle assessment. This kitchen is different from other standard kitchens as it is offered as kitchen-as-a-service for a long period of time. It follows circular design strategies such as extension of service life, use of recycled materials, design-for- disassembly and design for light weight construction. The company maintains the kitchen and ensures that it is circular by either recycling, reusing or recovering the waste at the end-of-life of the kitchen. This could potentially reduce the impacts of construction of more kitchens if people and different organizations keep it for the long term.  The kitchen is made of various components such as frame, panels, sink, tap, drawers, countertop, handles and electric socket. The use phase of the kitchen includes repair and maintenance scenarios for the whole lifecycle of the kitchen.  The results indicate production and replacement of Chipboard panels, production of steel frame and transports linked to repair and maintenance scenarios as hotspots of the kitchen in Climate change and Resource use impact categories. / Byggsektorn är resurskrävande och bidrar avsevärt till klimatförändringarna. På senare tid har många initiativ tagits för att göra dagens situation bättre. Bland dem har cirkulär ekonomi blivit ett attraktivt ämne för genomförandet av hållbarhet inom olika sektorer.  En fallstudie med hjälp av livscykelanalys har utförts för att bedöma miljöeffekterna av ett “cirkulärt” kök från Chainable, ett företag i Nederländerna. Detta kök skiljer sig från andra vanliga kök eftersom det erbjuds som kök-som-en-service under en längre tid. Det följer cirkulära designstrategier som förlängning av livslängden, användning av återvunnet material, design för demontering och design för lätt konstruktion. Företaget underhåller köket och ser till att det är cirkulärt genom att antingen återvinna, återanvända eller återhämta avfallet i slutet av kökets livscykel. Detta kan eventuellt minska påverkan av byggandet av fler kök om människor och olika organisationer behåller dem på lång sikt.  Köket är tillverkat av olika komponenter som ram, paneler, handfat, kran, lådor, bänkskiva, handtag och eluttag. Kökets användningsfas inkluderar reparations- och underhållsscenarier för hela kökets livscykel.  Resultaten indikerar att produktionen och utbytet av spånskivor, tillverkningen av stålram och transporter kopplade till reparations- och underhållsscenarier har störst påverkan i kökets livscykel inom kategorierna klimatförändring och resursanvändning.

The increasing amount of microplastics found in the environment have underscored the urgency to identify, develop and deploy scenarios in which municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWWTPs) limit the release of urban microplastics into the environment. Simultaneously, the global trend towards a circular economy has defined the conditions for these scenarios in relation to the water-energy- nutrient nexus. This study has created a novel framework between studies into treatment technologies for microplastics removal in wastewater streams and circular economic objectives from policymakers with regard to the water-energy-nutrient nexus. The results of this study build on the existing evidence that MWWTPs release significant amounts of microplastics to both terrestrial and aquatic environments. This study has demonstrated how Multi-criteria Analysis (MCA) can be applied to analyse wastewater treatment scenarios for their ability to limit microplastic pollution from MWWTPs, whilst taking the water-energy- nutrient nexus into account. The MCA has identified MBR inci-eco as the best performing circular economic scenario for limiting microplastic pollution from MWWTPs in to be constructed plants. This scenario includes a Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) with Anaerobic Digestion, energy recovery through incineration and Phosphorus recovery through Ecophos. If already existing MWWTPs aim to upgrade their facility to limit microplastic pollution, CASPACUF with Pyreg as an energy-nutrient recovery is seen as the best performing scenario. The powder activated carbon with ultra filtration (PAC-UF) system would then be installed as an additional polishing step to an existing conventional activated sludge (CAS) system, significantly reducing upfront investment costs. Academia can build upon these results to initiate additional research into novel microplastic filtration specific technologies, business model innovation for wastewater treatment and microplastic pollution prevention at the source and in stormwaters. National and international policymakers should ban the distribution and sale of biosolids for direct land application to limit the pollution of microplastics from bio-solids. Furthermore, efforts should be put in place to limit microplastic pollution at the source by stimulating policies for a ban on the use of microbeads, limit tyre wear and improving design for e.q. washing machines. / Den ökande mängden mikroplast som finns i miljön har understrukit brådskan i att identifiera, utveckla och tillämpa strategier där kommunala avloppsreningsverk (MWWTP) begränsar utsläpp av urbana mikroplaster. Samtidigt har den globala trenden mot en cirkulär ekonomi definierat villkoren för dessa scenarier i förhållande till vatten-energi-näring-näxan. Denna studie har tagit fram ett nytt ramverk mellan studier om reningsteknologier för avlägsnande av mikroplast i avloppsvattenströmmar och cirkulära ekonomiska mål från beslutsfattare med avseende på water-energy-nutrient nexus. Resultaten av denna studie bygger på befintliga bevis på att kommunala avloppsreningsverk släpper ut betydande mängder mikroplast i både mark- och vattenmiljöer. Denna studie har visat hur Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) kan användas för att analysera avloppsreningsscenarier utifrån deras förmåga att begränsa mikroplastföroreningar från reningsverk, samtidigt som man tar hänsyn till vatten-energi-näring-näxan. MCA har identifierat MBR-inci-eco som det bäst presterande cirkulära ekonomiska scenariot för att begränsa mikroplastföroreningar från nya verk. Detta scenario inkluderar en Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) med anaerobisk nebrytning, energiåtervinning genom förbränning och fosforåtervinning genom Ecophos. Om redan befintliga verk ska uppgradera sin anläggning för att begränsa mikroplastföroreningar, ses CASPACUF med Pyreg som energi-näringsåtervinning som det bästa scenariot. Det pulveraktiverade kolet med ultrafiltreringssystemet (PAC-UF) skulle sedan installeras som ett ytterligare poleringssteg till ett befintligt konventionellt system för aktiverat slam (CAS), vilket avsevärt minskar investeringskostnaderna. Framtida forskning kan använda dessa resultat för att undersöka nya mikroplastfiltreringsspecifika tekniker, affärsmodellinnovation för avloppsrening och förebyggande av mikroplastförorening vid källan och i stormvatten. Nationella och internationella beslutsfattare bör förbjuda distribution och försäljning av biosolids för direkt markanvändning för att begränsa mikroplastföroreningar från biosolids. Vidare bör åtgärder vidtas för att begränsa mikroplastföroreningar vid källan genom att stimulera policyer för ett förbud mot användning av mikrokulor, begränsa däckslitage och förbättra designen för e.q. tvättmaskiner.

Skanska, Sweden’s leading project development and construction groups, is increasingly striving for innovative solutions to reduce the carbon footprint of its operations and close the loop on waste materials. The company has expressed interest in investing in a pyrolysis plant in the Stockholm region to produce biochar out of wood waste from construction sites. Biochar, a charcoal-like substance, is produced through thermochemical decomposition of biomass. Recently recognized as a negative emissions technology thanks to its ability to act as a carbon sink, and with its many properties and applications, biochar has in recent years become an increasingly valued product on the Nordic market. However, the magnitude with which biochar production mitigates climate change depends on a number of parameters. The present thesis seeks to assess the potential of biochar production at Skanska and use for urban soils to reduce the company’s GHG emissions, and puts results in perspective with Skanska’s sustainability targets. Using the GHG Protocol for Project Accounting, and through a life-cycle perspective, the thesis examines whether biochar production results in a higher climate gain compared to the continuation of current activities, i.e. the treatment of wood waste through incineration for energy recovery. The results show that reductions in emissions depend on a number of factors including biochar stability, biochar yield, the availability of excess heat from the pyrolysis process and its use for district heating, and most importantly, the type of fuel substituted by waste wood for energy production. Ultimately, the quality, quantity, and geographic distribution of wood waste produced by Skanska determines the viability of this project, and this information should be carefully compiled by the company. / Skanska AB, Sveriges ledande bygg- och projektutvecklingsföretag, strävar alltmer efter innovativa lösningar för att minska koldioxidavtrycket i sin verksamhet och sluta cirkeln för avfallsmaterial. Företaget har uttryckt ett intresse att investera i en pyrolysanläggning i Stockholmsregionen för att producera biokol av träavfall från byggarbetsplatser. Biokol produceras genom termokemisk sönderdelning av biomassa och blev nyligen erkänd som en negativ utsläppsteknologi tack vare sin förmåga att fungera som kolsänka. Med sina många användningsområden och varierande egenskaper har biokol under senare år blivit en allt högre värderad produkt på den nordiska marknaden. Dock spelar flera faktorer roll när möjligheterna för biokolsproduktion att reducera klimatförändringarna ska bedömas. Det här examensarbetet syftar till att utvärdera potentialen för biokolsproduktion inom Skanska och användandet av biokol i urbana jordar för att minska företagets växthusgasutsläpp, samt sätta resultaten i perspektiv med Skanskas hållbarhetsmål. Genom att använda GHG-protokollet för projektredovisning, samt ur ett livscykelperspektiv, undersöker examensarbetet huruvida biokolproduktionen resulterar i en högre klimatnytta jämfört med den nuvarande verksamheten, det vill säga genom förbränning av träavfall för energiåtervinning. Resultaten visar att utsläppsminskningar beror på ett antal faktorer, inklusive biokolets stabilitet, produktionsutbyte, tillgång till överskottsvärme från pyrolysprocessen för användning i fjärrvärmenätet, samt viktigast av allt, vilken typ av bränsle som ersätts av träavfall för energiproduktion. I slutändan är det kvaliteten, kvantiteten samt geografisk tillgång till producerat träavfall för biokolsproduktion som avgör hur väl detta projekt kan genomföras, och denna information bör noggrant sammanställas av Skanska.

This case study of the waste management at a pharmaceutical company investigates the current situation and possible improvements for future work in terms of amount of waste generated, treatment methods and economy. The scope of the project was to assess all current waste streams from the everyday activities and find potential areas for improvement. Chemical/solvent waste have not been investigated thoroughly because of the complexity to make changes within the manufacturing processes. Waste generated during demolition and construction by external contractors have been excluded since it is not a part of the business as usual. The company has set the goal to decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 20% and waste generated by 15% and to achieve these goals the waste diagnostic project have been initiated. Waste reports and guided tours at each department have been compiled to assess and map out all waste streams at the site. The waste management hierarchy has been used as a tool together with performance measurements to evaluate current situation and with examples from literature, other sites and industries recommendations have been made. The waste management hierarchy is a tool used to prioritize waste management to reach a circular economy, with landfill at the bottom and reduction/reuse at the top of the hierarchy the current status of a company can be assessed and also what areas that have to be improved in order to climb the hierarchy. The company shows a good environmental performance today and comply with internal standards, the waste metric scoring calculation results in a value of, , 464 which corresponds to energy recovery level of the waste management hierarchy. An ISO certificate ensures customers that a product or service meet the standards the customer have. There are ISO standards within many different areas and ISO 14001 applies to environmental management which the company is not certified with. The company comply with the internal standards but an ISO certificate would result in extra credibility. Some of the recommendations to the site includes a waste management communication program to engage employees, reuse of disposable pallets, drying of wastewater sludge and installation of paper shredder to reduce costs related to classified documents. / Denna fallstudie om avfallshanteringen på ett läkemedelsföretag undersöker den nuvarande situationen och potentiella förbättringsmöjligheter för framtida arbete beträffande mängd avfall som genereras, behandlingsmetoder och ekonomi. Projektets mål var att utvärdera alla avfallsströmmar från de dagliga aktiviteterna och identifiera potentiella områden för förbättring. Kemiskt/lösningsmedelavfall har inte undersökts på djupet på grund av komplexiteten att göra ändringar inom tillverkningsprocesserna. Projektavfall som genererats under rivning och byggande av externa entreprenörer har uteslutits eftersom det inte är en del av den dagliga verksamheten. Företaget har satt som mål att minska utsläppen av växthusgaser med 20% och avfall genererat med 15% och för att uppnå dessa mål har ”waste diagnostic” projektet inletts. Avfallsrapporter och guidade turer vid varje avdelning har sammanställts för att utvärdera och kartlägga alla avfallsströmmar på siten. Avfallshierarkin har använts som ett verktyg tillsammans med prestandamätningar för att utvärdera den aktuella situationen och med exempel från litteratur, andra siter och branscher har rekommendationer gjorts. Avfallshanteringshierarkin är ett verktyg som används för att prioritera avfallshantering för att uppnå en cirkulär ekonomi, med deponering i botten och minskning / återanvändning högst upp i hierarkin kan den aktuella statusen för ett företag bedömas och även vilka områden som måste förbättras för att nå högre upp i avfallshierarkin. Siten visar på en bra miljöprestanda idag och uppfyller de interna standarder som fastställts. Beräkningen av ”waste metric scoring” resulterar i ett värde, , på 464 vilket motsvarar nivån för energiåtervinning i avfallshanteringshierarkin. Ett ISO-certifikat garanterar kunder att en produkt eller tjänst uppfyller de standarder kunden har. Det finns ISO-standarder inom många olika områden och ISO 14001 är certifikatet för miljöledning som siten inte är certifierad med. Företaget följer de interna standarder som har satts men ett ISO-certifikat skulle resultera i ökad trovärdighet. Några av de identifierade rekommendationerna till företaget inkluderar ett kommunikationsprogram för avfallshantering för att engagera och utbilda anställda, återanvändning av engångspallar, torkning av slam och installation av dokumentförstörare för att minska kostnaderna kring sekretessbelagda dokument.

Abstract Background:  Electric Vehicles (EVs) have been identified as a sustainable alternative to reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels. EV sales are starting to reach significant numbers. Subsequently, the demand for Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs), a key component in EVs, has increased. Due to the higher demand, a greater volume of LIBs will enter the waste stream. The waste-management strategies commonly used for the disposal of LIBs create potential risks of soil and air pollution, affecting the sustainability of EVs. The underdeveloped waste-management strategies, and the environmental and social risks related to improper disposal of LIBs, makes the study of second-life strategies of LIBs relevant.  Circular Economy (CE) promotes circular instead of linear flows of materials to reduce environmental impacts and maximize resource efficiency. LIB recycling is gaining popularity since LIBs contain valuable metals such as cobalt and lithium. A major challenge for LIB recycling is developing economical ways to extract and process metals from spent LIBs. The reviewed literature points to aresearch gap formed by the lack of study on the standardization of LIBs aimed to improve LIB recycling. The research gap is relevant because the reviewed literature points to a connection between standardization, innovation, and sustainability. Innovation of LIBs is a driver of sustainable transportation solutions, and the study of LIB standardization is relevant for two reasons. Firstly, standardization may influence further innovations needed to enable sustainable transportation. Secondly, standardization is relevant to achieve better recycling of LIBs and reduce the negative environmental and health effects of improper LIB disposal. Objectives:  During the development of the theoretical framework, two paradoxes were observed. The first paradox is between the dimensions of innovation and sustainability. Innovation acts positively on sustainability by enabling LIB development necessary to include EVs in the transportation sector. On the other hand, improper disposal of LIBs results in pollution affecting sustainability negatively. The second paradox is between the dimensions of standardization and innovation. Academics perceive standardization either as an enabler or as a hinder to innovation. Standardization enables innovation by giving a path and conditions for further technological developments, but standardization could also constrain the freethinking needed in innovation. Considering that innovation of LIBs has been a driver in the development of EVs, often described as a sustainable transportation solution, the study of LIBs’ standardization is relevant in the context of further innovation and higher sustainability goals.  The purpose of this study is to help to fill the gap in existing research on LIB recycling by exploring what factors in the dimensions of standardization, innovation, and sustainability are perceived as relevant for LIBs’ standardization aimed for better recycling. Moreover, the purpose of this thesis is also to explore how these factors influence further innovation of LIBs. Consequently, this thesis seeks to answer the following research question: What factors are perceived to be relevant for standardization of LIBs in the dimensions of standardization, innovation and sustainability aimed to improve recycling, and why? Also, how could these factors influence innovation of LIBs? Methodology:  Research in standardization aimed for recycling of LIBs is in its infancy. Therefore, the research problem is perceived as unstructured and modestly understood. Consequently, an exploratory research design has been selected for this thesis. The chosen research strategy was to conduct a case study focused on automotive firms. The selection of the case was based on four criteria. The first criterion was to select a firm in Sweden. The second criterion was to choose a firm with a defined strategy towards electric vehicles and a track of being innovative. A third criterion behind the selection was the firm’s potential for growth in units sold. The fourth criterion was that the firm should have a publicly known ambition or strategy towards sustainability. Volvo Cars Corporation (VCC) fulfilled all four criteria and was selected as the study case for this thesis. Data was collected by conducting semi-structured interviews with key organizational members involved in work related to second-life strategies of LIBs, development of LIBs, sustainability analysis, andlegislations or standardization. The sampling then focused on informants in the business areas of R&D,which covers these organizational activities. The interview questions were based on factors found to berelevant during the literature review within the dimensions of standardization, innovation, and sustainability. Also, each factor was associated with corresponding attributes. The formulation of the interview questions aimed to explore the relevance of an attribute for the standardization of LIBs aimed for better recycling and to explore how the factor influences innovation. The explored factors in the dimension of standardization were the source of standard, working groups for standardization development, practices during standard development, and design of standards. Meanwhile, the explored factors in the dimension of innovation were network effects and barriers to entry. In the sustainability dimension, the explored factors were exploration-exploitation balance and network effects.  The data analysis for the interviewees was based on first-order categorization of the answers, followed by creating second-order themes. The first-order categories and second-order themes were used for analyzing and assessing the relevance of the explored factors for the standardization of LIBs. Afterward, the second-order and aggregate themes were considered for the analysis of the factors’ influence on innovation. Moreover, the second-order themes have been used to identify new relevant factors to be considered in the standardization of LIBs with an influence in innovation. In this work, those identified relevant factors are referred asidentified elements. Finally, the analysis for the influence of the identified elements on innovation was visualized by the elaboration of a thematic map.  Results & Analysis:  The explored factors of standardization sources, working groups for standardization development, practices during development of standards and design of standards within the dimension of standardization were perceived as relevant and influenced innovation in combination with other identified elements. The most relevant identified elements were maturity, rigid standards, harmonization, flexibility, tacit knowledge, and culture. Maturity and rigid standards were perceived as the dominant among the identified elements by being important to avoid a negative influence on innovation caused by technology lock-in and obsolescence of the developed standards. Regarding identified elements with a positive influence on innovation, harmonization, culture, tacit knowledge, and flexibility are perceived as relevant to innovation by enabling common solutions in harmonized alliances, clarity in scope for the standards, and allowing freedom in the choice of methods. In the case of explored factors in the dimensions of innovation and sustainability, the explored factors of networks effects, entry barriers, and exploration-exploitation were perceived as relevant for the standardization of LIBs. Moreover, the results of the identified elements showed technology lock-in and iiiinefficient products as the biggest influence negatively affecting innovation and sustainability,respectively. The most important identified elements are maturity and investments for the technology lock-in aggregate theme, whereas efficiency, pricing, and environmental impact are identified for the case of inefficient products. Regarding aggregate themes enabling innovation and sustainability, they were presented in the form of resource and process optimization, market dynamics, and holistic view. Among the dominant identified elements enabling innovation are efficiency and specialized facilities.In addition to positive and negative aggregate themes, the aggregate theme of technology path was created. This aggregate theme refers to a technology development path that could influence innovation and or sustainability in potentially different ways: positive, neutral, or negative. The dominant identified elements in this theme are infrastructure, social realm, and consumer preference and awareness. Conclusions:  This thesis explored the relevance of factors in the dimensions of standardization, innovation, and sustainability on LIB standardization and their influence on the innovation of LIBs. The exploration of the factors’ perceived relevance answered the research question and resulted in new identified elementsrelevant to be considered in the standardization of LIBs with an influence on innovation. Consequently, this thesis fulfilled its purpose by helping to fill the gap in the existing research on LIB recycling. The main conclusions for the exploration of factors within the dimension of standardization are two. Firstly, the explored factors are relevant to be considered in the standardization of LIBs. Secondly, the exploration led to the new identified elements with negative and positive influence on innovation. The identified elements of maturity and rigid standards showed a negative influence on innovation in the form of technology lock-in or obsolescence of standards. However, the identified elements of harmonization, flexibility, tacit knowledge, and culture, showed a positive influence on further innovation of LIBs. The main conclusions for the dimensions of sustainability and innovation were that the explored factors are relevant in LIB standardization. Also, high compatibility between LIB manufacturers and recyclers raises challenges towards innovation while supporting sustainability. Also, consumer preferences and their shifts play a central role with negative and positive influence on innovation and sustainability and as a driver to certain segments of standardization.

Waste is a complex challenge when it comes to reaching a more sustainable society, to achieve this everyone needs to get involved, not only in the own household but also at the workplace. Unsorted waste increases the risk of toxic substances being released in nature as well as a more rapid depletion of resources which then results in an increase of required amounts of energy to be utilized. The purpose of this study was to examine factors that influence employees’ behaviors regarding waste sorting at municipal workplaces. By gaining a better understanding of the factors that affect this behavior and the role attitudes play in it, obstacles and opportunities for achieving higher levels in the waste hierarchy could be identified. A survey was conducted amongst employees at a Swedish municipality to study what influenced the frequency of the waste sorting they performed. A significant difference between behavior at home and in the workplace was confirmed. The results showed that attitudes about the importance of waste sorting did influence behavior, but there were factors that hindered the behavior from occurring more frequently. Lack of knowledge about waste management, unclear routines, perceived low engagement from colleagues and thus no clearly established social norms, as well as poor access to sorting bins, were factors that proved to disrupt the correlation between attitudes and behavior. The motivation and willingness for more accurate waste sorting exist among employees, but more education, greater access to sorting facilities, and transparency from management are needed.

The waste and carbon emissions in Sweden is comprehensively contributed by the construction industry. With focus on the growing need for raw materials, reports indicate that by 2060 the use of raw materials is expected to increase by 50%. It is evident that the production of windows can have negative environmental consequences, from extraction to its contribution to a building’s energy consumption. By centering on the circular economy framework, this study aims to promote reuse of windows, by focusing on environmental, economic and quality factors. Through literature reviews, case studies and stakeholder interviews, this study focus upon window reuse in construction projects in a feasible manner. The absence of knowledge and logistical concerns hinders the reuse of windows, despite its environmental and economic benefits. Reuse relies on inventory, digital logistics and collaboration among stakeholders as a vital key motivator. Furthermore, limited support and resources has been identified as some of the key obstacles for progress and implementation of reuse of windows. Emphasizing on the importance of responsibility allocation and considering sustainability throughout the entire construction process. Quality criteria for window reuse include energy efficiency and cultural value. Despite challenges such as economics, logistics, collaboration and the share of knowledge, it’s believed that this study can significantly transform the reuse process and steer towards a more sustainable future. / Bygg- och fastighetssektorn står för en stor andel av Sveriges koldioxidutsläpp samt av den energi som förbrukas i Sverige. Sektorns användning av råmaterial tenderar att stiga och förväntas fördubblas till 2060. Utvecklingen skapar ett tydligt behov av att minska sektorns negativa miljöpåverkan och öka återbruket av byggmaterial, som för närvarande står för 35% av Sveriges totala avfall. Fönster är en komplex del av en byggnad vars utformning kan variera avsevärt och ha stor inverkan på hur energieffektiv en byggnad är. Vidare har fönster krav på både estetik, komfort och funktion. Produktionen av fönster kan ha negativa miljökonsekvenser, från råvaruutvinning till dess bidrag på en byggnads totala energiförbrukning vid bruksskedet. Denna studie fokuserar på återbruk av fönster för att minska miljöpåverkan och öka resurseffektiviteten.Studiens syfte är att identifiera och optimera återbruksprocessen av fönster och samtidigt beakta miljö, ekonomi och kvalitetskrav. Frågeställningar inkluderar hur återbruk kan främjas, vem som styr och fattar beslut om återbruk, samt vilka kvalitetskriterier som behövs för fönster. För att besvara frågeställningarna kombineras de tre tillvägagångssätten; litteraturstudie, fallstudier och intervjuer med branschaktörer. Med tillvägagångssättet undersöks utmaningar, möjligheter samt vem som lämpligast driver frågan om återbruk av fönster i ett projekt. Målet med studien är att utforma en handlingsplan för resurseffektivt återbruk. Studiens teoretiska ramverk bygger på konceptet om cirkulär ekonomi, som syftar till att minska avfall och främja återanvändning.Resultatet av studien visar att både miljömässiga och ekonomiska aspekter motiverar återbruk av fönster inom bygg- och fastighetssektorn. De främsta utmaningarna identifieras som relaterade till logistik, brist på kunskap och motstånd mot förändring. Åtgärder såsom inventering, digitala logistikportaler och ökad medvetenhet föreslogs för att främja återbruk av fönster. Implementering av återbruk av fönster och därmed cirkulärt byggande kräver att dessa utmaningar adresseras, vilket kan underlättas om aktörer inom sektorn samarbetar. Utmaningar vid implementering kan uppstå på grund av bristande stöd från beslutsfattare och resursallokering. Begränsningar i tidigare forskning och den svenska marknadens förutsättningar kan påverka resultatets betydelse utanför Sverige. Studienbelyser vikten av ansvarsfördelning och att beakta hållbarhet genom hela byggprocessen. Kvalitetskriterier för återbruk av fönster avser energieffektivitet och kulturellt värde. Trots utmaningar som ekonomi och logistik, kan samarbete och kunskapsdelning effektivisera återbruksprocessen och leda sektorn mot en mer hållbar framtid.

The transport sector, particularly electric vehicles (EVs), plays a pivotal role in mitigating climate change. However, the use of lithium-ion (li-ion) batteries in EVs raises sustainability concerns due to their limited lifespan, high costs, potential raw material shortages, and the environmental impact of raw material mining. These concerns necessitate the incorporation of sustainable development strategies into EV innovation plans. With a booming EV market, both luxury and non-luxury brands are being urged to adopt circular economy strategies, such as battery reuse and recycling, to enhance the brand-customer relationship. While the automotive industry has begun implementing these strategies, there is limited research on how they affect customer acceptance and the impact on luxury versus non-luxury brands. This thesis examines the existence of differences and influence of these circular economy strategies on the EV industry, with a particular focus on li-ion batteries, and analyzes their impact on luxury and non-luxury automotive EV brands.

Cities, as epicenters of resource consumption and waste production, play a crucial role in spearheading the transition towards a circular economy, where waste is minimized and the lifecycle of resources is maximized. Fashion industry activities, in particular, are predominantly concentrated in the urban context, from design activities to consumption and disposal. Given their role as centers of entrepreneurship and innovation, what opportunities and challenges do cities present in facilitating an industrial paradigm shift towards circularity in the fashion industry? How do entrepreneurial actors and supportive intermediaries pave the way toward a circular system? This dissertation examines the processes of entrepreneurship and the dynamics of learning that propel the fashion industry toward a circular economy, or circular fashion. It brings together literature on circular economy businesses and entrepreneurship with economic geography insights into the localized processes of innovation and entrepreneurship within cultural and creative industries. The three papers presented contribute to the expanding field of research and practice in the circular economy and circular fashion by underscoring the significance of proximity relations, entrepreneurial initiatives, and the dynamics of knowledge intermediation. Through a systematic literature review and a case study of New York City’s fashion industry, the three papers cultivate a nuanced understanding on the micro-dynamics of circular fashion entrepreneurship and relational processes that accompany the transition towards circular fashion. They highlight the importance of the interplay between geographical and non-geographical proximities, place-based entrepreneurial initiatives, and knowledge coordination efforts, offering a comprehensive view of the circular fashion landscape and policy implications.

Globally, the rising extraction of raw materials results in substantial resource depletion. The global circularity rate declines yearly as goods manufacturing consumes energy, fossil fuels, and primary materials. In the EU, about 11 million tonnes of furniture are discarded annually, and most end up in landfills. Sweden discards about 330.000 tonnes of office furniture each year. Sharing and reusing with Circular Economy (CE) strategies can possibly reduce environmental impact, yet challenges may arise from extra measures and expectancies when sharing. There are few studies that assess CE strategies in the use phase and environmental impacts of furniture. For the evaluation of CE strategies and a product's potential environmental impact and comparing user scenarios, this study used a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The goal is to explore under what circumstances height adjustable desks (desks) in four user scenarios (baseline scenario and three scenarios with adopted CE strategies for closing, slowing, and narrowing the material loops) are the most beneficial for the environment. The evaluation is conducted by analysing the scenario’s potential impact (i.e., midpoint categories GWP, HNCT and MRS). The results show that the manufacturing of the desk frame has a significant impact in the midpoint categories GWP and MRS, and the manufacturing of the motor in the midpoint category HNCT, in all four scenarios. The rental scenario, with high utilisation (80%) due to flexibility, has the lowest potential impact, compared to the three other scenarios with 40% utilisation. Two sensitivity analyses were conducted, which showed that the utilisation rate and lifespan of parts (due to aesthetic expectations) is crucial for what scenario that has the best outcome. Rental and reuse have a lower impact compared to recycling and baseline. The circumstances of high utilisation rate and flexibility benefitted the rental scenario. Product design strategies such as modular, easy repair and maintenance, and the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) keeping ownership or agreeing with the user are critical for substituting parts in the reuse and rental scenarios. This study shows that renting office desks is the best option, compared to the other scenarios, as long as utilisation is over 54% and high user expectations do not demand new desktops every 5th year.