Background: Circular economy has received an increasing amount of attention and a move towards a circular economy recently became a top priority within the EU. The food industry contributes to a large amount of the anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. In spite of this few studies have explored circular economy in regard to grocery store companies. The lack of prior research in the area serves as a motivation to carry out this study.  Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe and analyze how grocery store companies have developed their communication to influence their customers’ behaviors and influence the relationship they have with them. Research question: How has the communication regarding a circular economy developed within grocery store companies during 2014-2020? Method: A content analysis of Swedish grocery store companies’ annual reports and sustainability reports between the years 2014-2020 has been conducted. Qualitative coding was mainly used, but some quantitative elements occur. The coding emanated from the two themes plastic and food waste. Results and conclusion: This study shows that the grocery store companies’ circular communication have congregated as a result of changes in the social expectations. The companies have concretized the idea of a circular economy and have introduced their own initiatives to reach it. / Bakgrund: Cirkulär ekonomi är ett begrepp som blivit alltmer uppmärksammat. En övergång till cirkulär ekonomi är numera en av EU:s främsta prioriteringar. Matindustrin bidrar till en stor del av de antropogena utsläppen av växthusgaser. Trots detta finns det få studier som kopplar samman ämnena cirkulär ekonomi och dagligvaruhandel. Bristen på tidigare forskning motiverade att denna studie genomfördes. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att beskriva och analysera hur företag inom dagligvaruhandeln har utvecklat sin kommunikation om cirkulär ekonomi för att påverka sina kunders beteende och relationen de har med dem.  Frågeställning: Hur har kommunikationen kring cirkulär ekonomi utformats inom dagligvaruhandeln mellan åren 2014–2020? Metod: I denna undersökning har en innehållsanalys av aktörerna i den svenska dagligvaruhandelns års- och hållbarhetsrapporter mellan åren 2014–2020 genomförts. Främst användes kvalitativ kodning, men vissa kvantitativa inslag förekommer. Kodningen utgick ifrån begreppen plast och matavfall. Resultat och slutsats: Resultatet av denna studie visar att företagen inom dagligvaruhandeln utformat och ökat sin cirkulära kommunikation på liknande sätt som en följd av förändringar i samhällets förväntningar. Företagen har konkretiserat begreppet cirkulär ekonomi och presenterat egna initiativ för att uppnå det.

Moving towards a more circular economic model is necessary in order to secure the sufficiency of vital raw materials and to achieve a balance between both economic and environmental prosperity. However, the discussion regarding circular economy from a business perspective is still rather limited, and the practical applications of circular economy are mostly related to waste management and industrial applications. Needless to say, circular economy is much more than just large-scale recycling. Circular economy, as a system which aims to ensure a more circular flow of resources, materials and energy, can embody a variety of expressions from closing resource loops to redesigning products, services and the nature of ownership towards favoring renting, sharing, reusing and other alternative ways of maximize the resource efficiency and extend product life. Hence, the principles of circularity can be applied across all industries, instead of just those operating in the industrial sector. Standing on the way of the development of a global circular economy is the perceived mismatched objectives of profit seeking businesses and sustainability advocators. Businesses want high sales levels and profit margins, whereas at the core of environmental sustainability is often to promote conscious consumption and cut down on activities resulting in pollution and waste. And because circular economy is often strongly associated with sustainability matters, businesses tend to stray away from it as it is considered to work against a company’s purpose of making profit. Yet here is the catch – instead of seeing circular economy just as a sustainability tool, it can also be considered as a viable business opportunity which when effectively exploited, can be a source of competitive advantage and a source of economic value

The surges in the deterioration on all fronts of sustainability have led to the conceptualization of the Circular Economy (CE). The compliance of production and consumption tightly knitted with the linear model has created a much-needed debate as well as a barrier to the transition towards the CE. In order to drive the transition from linear to CE, various typologies of CE business models have been derived. The Product-Service System (PSS), a business model for creating a circular flow of materials, necessitates the transformation of consumers from being owners into mere users. The textile industry, where the use of virgin materials is deemed to be a primary component for its production and consumption, requires the ingestion of CE-based business models. However, such a transition requires a constant and conscious effort from various actors as well as consumers.   The study takes a holistic perspective targeting both the PSS provider as well as the consumers in providing an understanding of frictions that occur between a PSS Business model and the existing consumption practices. As different actors form a network to drive a PSS business model, this study, firstly aims to develop an understanding of the interactions that take place between two different actors who aim to develop a PSS business model within the domain of textiles. Secondly, as there tend to be consumers who oppose business models that change their existing habits and routines, one such as PSS, this study focuses on analyzing the existing practices related to the consumption of textiles. By contemplating between the consumption side and the PSS provider side, the thesis concludes with a model on how a PSS business model can be made to stabilize the differences with respect to consumption practices by taking into account the factors that influence the consumption of a product.

Abstract The management and handling of organic waste in primarily low-income developing cities, due to high urbanization has become a global problem. The main form of waste handling in these cities are landfilling, due to it being the cheapest and easiest option. Not only are nutrients wasted, but landfills of mixed waste create strong emission of greenhouse gasses and a leachate that affects groundwater quality. This major problem in addition to a higher demand for food due to the increase of the world population leaves us two problems to solve; to handle waste and produce food. The Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens) and its larvae can solve both of these problems in one. The organic waste is fed to the fly larvae and the larvae produce biomass (larval weight) and a residue similar to un-mature compost. The larvae can then be fed live to animals or made into pellets to feed animals such as fish, and the residue can be used as fertilizer. However, in order for the larvae to be able to be extruded into pellets or fed live to ex. hens, an optimal protein and fat content of the larvae is needed. A higher protein and lower fat content of the larvae is optimal for both pellet production and to feed to animals. It has previously been found that an inclusion of mussels can lower the fat content and increase the protein content of the larvae. In this article, different amounts of mussels are included in the larvae diet apart from bread and cabbage to see if it has an effect on the compost process efficiency. The experiment is done by larvae being added to different ratios of bread: cabbage: mussels. The larvae are then harvested and process efficiency parameters; BCE (biomass conversion efficiency), survival percentage, material reduction and respiration are calculated. It was found that mussel inclusion was equivalent to a higher feeding load per larva. The BCE of the treatment with a higher feeding load and the treatment with the highest mussel inclusion were the same, meaning that mussel inclusion is equivalent to a diet with high amounts of carbohydrates. Mussel inclusion in the larva diet seems to be beneficial from a BCE standpoint and suits as a substrate as pH and survival was not negatively affected by the mussels.

The Reusist project has explored, evaluated, and designed a system through a co-creation process around the unsustainable disposal of valuable surplus furniture found at Återbruket (SSAM) and on-campus at Linnaeus University. The main aim of this project is implementing positive circular economy behaviours and attitudes through a designerly perspective, in light of consumerism and the constant need for and disposal of furniture. Design ethnography methods, workshops, and other techniques were used to drive co-creation; deriving values from stakeholders to shape the design outcome. Sustainability is explored holistically through environmental, social, economical, and cultural factors, with a main focus on the practice of re-framing value and circulating household furniture for as long as possible as a step towards a circular economy. The system proposed targets students as well as the general public, and so can be considered as a public service. Its main components consist of an umbrella concept of ‘Share’ founded upon ‘Furniture Packages’, enabled through ‘Repair’ and ‘Redesign’, and whose accessibility is amplified through a ‘Digital Presence’ which also enables ‘Crowdsourcing’. This project ended by presenting the proposal to the two direct collaborators, Återbruket (SSAM) and Svenska Kyrkan. However, this project isn’t finalised, as there are possible future steps to expand with an even more embedded collaboration alongside stakeholders and organisations.

Bakgrund: Människans ökade konsumtion av produkter använder upp naturens resurser och bidrar till utsläpp, detta är särskilt relevant gällande produkter med kort livslängd så som sportmode då dessa produkter massproduceras på olika geografiska regioner för att sedan fraktas världen över och användas en kortare period för att sedan kastas. Producenterna jobbar främst med en linjär ekonomi men de börjar gå mer mot en cirkulär ekonomi istället genom att använda mer hållbara material och återanvända gamla produkter. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att beskriva hur återförsäljare inom sportmode branschen använder sig av green marketing för att bidra till en cirkulär ekonomi? Metod: En kvalitativ fallstudie med abduktiv ansats, där vi genomfört semistrukturerade intervjuer. Teoretiskt perspektiv: Studien utgår från teorier som anses vara relevanta för att se hur återförsäljarna använder sig av green marketing för att nå en cirkulär ekonomi. Teorierna berör green marketing, strategier, green washing, cirkulär ekonomi och konsumentbeteende. Empiri: Empiri delen består av fyra semistrukturerade intervjuer med företag i Skandinavien som jobbar med återförsäljning av sportmode på den svenska marknaden. Slutsatser: Återförsäljare av sportmode använder sig av green marketing till stor del för att skapa starka samarbeten med externa intressenter. Där kan vi se att hållbarhetskrav ställs från båda håll vilket i sin tur bidrar till att företagen fortsätter att utveckla deras miljötänk och hållbarhetsarbete. Genom att forska fram nya material och tillverkningsprocesser jobbar företagen för att kunna öka deras cirkulära flöden och gå ifrån dagens linjära ekonomi. / Background: Man's increased consumption of products uses up natural resources and contributes to emissions, this is especially relevant for products with a short lifespan such as sports fashion as these products are mass-produced in different geographical regions and then shipped around the world and used for a shorter period. cast. Producers work mainly with a linear economy, but they are starting to move more towards a circular economy instead by using more sustainable materials and reusing old products. Aim: The aim of the study is to describe how retailers in the sports fashion industry use green marketing to contribute to a circular economy? Method: A qualitative method with an abductive approach, where we conducted semi-structured interviews. Theoretical perspective: The study is based on theories that are considered relevant to see how retailers use green marketing to achieve a circular economy. The theories concern green marketing, strategies, green washing, circular economy and consumer behavior. Empirical: The empirical part consists of four semi-structured interviews with companies in Scandinavia that work with the resale of sports fashion on the Swedish market. Conclusions: Retailers of sportswear use green marketing to a large extent to create strong collaborations with external stakeholders. There we can see that sustainability requirements are set from both sides, which in turn contributes to companies continuing to develop their environmental thinking and sustainability work. By researching new materials and manufacturing processes, companies work to be able to increase their circular flows and move away from today's linear economy.

Purpose: This research aimed to identify and synthesize circular economy-oriented business model innovation opportunities for the textile and apparel industry of Bangladesh to position the business to its B2B customers by achieving a sustained competitive advantage.  Design/methodology/approach: In this study, we conducted a multiple case study, analyzing 3 case companies using an abductive method under the interpretive research philosophy. As a result of our research, we aim to understand the current perceptions of the circular economy in Bangladesh's garment industry and identify opportunities for business model innovation. Therefore, we designed a questionnaire to obtain valuable insights and opinions from 9 business practitioners. In order to gain an in-depth understanding of the respondents, semi-structured interviews and rating-based surveys were conducted. Results: As key results, three CE process has been identified as the most potential to bring BMI- are design (narrowing resource loop), production (slowing resource loop), and recycle (closing resource loop) based on which the T&A industry can position its business to achieve a sustained competitive advantage. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, no previous research has been done on this topic. This paper establishes an integrated conceptual model which is first of a kind to integrate CE resource loops and resource-based view. The data presented here are all based on the respondents' perceptions. This thesis paper can help academics do further research on industries that face issues with value creation, and professionals can apply the suggested practical solutions implications in their industry. Key Words: Sustainability, Circular Economy, Business-to-Business Positioning, Business Model Innovation, Textile and Apparel Industry

Background Waste has been around since humans started to create products. Today, it is a growing problem in the world; humans keep producing waste at a faster pace than we can handle. The world is becoming more conscious of our actions, and new solutions to manage and utilize the waste are desired. Medical waste lacks a global definition, which results in a lack of standardization for medical waste management. The rapid development of medical science and technology has led to increased use of medical consumables. Single-use gloves are the most commonly used consumable within healthcare. They are not recycled due to fear of contamination, which results in a big load on the environment by not preserving the value of the material. Objectives The objectives with the research have been to understand the waste industry and identify where waste streams have the opportunity to be replaced with circular systems through new technology. From the findings, design and propose a new technology that fits into a circular economy. Method Design Research Methodology and MSPI Innovation process worked as frameworks for the design process for the researchers during the thesis work. Inspiration from company visits, interviews, job shadowing, and literature research initiated the project and was used to clarify the problem. Prototypes, testing, and literature research were used to validate the design progress and followed up by lab experiments and mechanical design of a fully circular system. Results Through tests and experiments, a circular system for single-use protection gloves was designed. The proposed technology would eliminate the need for raw material extraction, manufacturing, and transportation. The system is based on making protection gloves from Polyvinyl Alcohol. Due to the unique properties of the material, it is possible to dissolve the gloves in water, sterilize them and remanufacture them into new gloves. The gloves proved to have similar mechanical properties to the current options on the market. The system includes many elements from the manufacturing process of nitrile rubber and latex gloves, but the introduction of cleaning and sterilization steps will question the main reason consumable protection gloves are used in the first place, to ensure sterility. Conclusion Optimizing, automating, and implementing this system will make the healthcare industry more environmentally friendly. Introducing a system to remanufacture and sterilize single-use gloves is a statement to prove the possibility to replace linear life cycles with circular ones, by questioning the reasons behind unsustainable behavior and solving those problems. Contaminated waste is incinerated today. Some argue that energy recovery classifies as recycling, but this system will focus on preserving the value of the material by reusing it in multiple cycles. Similar work will be necessary to keep up with the increased production of waste. Circular systems may enable humans to fulfill their needs with a significantly decreased environmental load. Before implementing this solution in the healthcare industry, more research must be carried out. However, the innovation of an in-house system and a more direct approach to manufacture – recycle – reuse, has presented to create new value of waste and further technological development to enhance the waste management and recycling industry. / Bakgrund Avfall har funnits sedan människor började tillverka produkter. Idag är det ett växande problem i världen, människor fortsätter att producera avfall i en snabbare takt än vad vi kan hantera. Världen blir mer medveten om åtgärderna men nya innovationer för att hantera och utnyttja avfallet behövs. Medicinskt avfall saknar en global definition som resulterar i brist på standardisering för hantering av medicinskt avfall. En snabb utveckling av medicinsk vetenskap och teknik har lett till en ökad användning av medicinska engångsartiklar. Engångshandskar är de vanligaste förbrukningsvarorna inom sjukvården och återvinns inte på grund av rädsla för förorening, vilket resulterar i en stor belastning på miljön eftersom materialets värde inte tas vara på. Syfte Målet med forskningen har varit att förstå avfallsindustrin och identifiera var avfallsströmmar kan ersättas med cirkulära system genom ny teknik. Utifrån resultaten, utforma och föreslå ny teknik som passar in i en cirkulär ekonomi. Metod Designforskningsmetodik (Design Research Methodology) och MSPI:s Innovationsprocess användes som ramar för designprocessen för forskarna under avhandlingsarbetet. Inspiration från företagsbesök, shadowing, intervjuer och litteraturforskning initierade projektet och användes för att klargöra problemet. Prototyper, tester och litteraturforskning användes för att validera designframstegen. Följt av laborationer och mekanisk design av ett komplett cirkulärt system. Resultat Genom tester och experiment designades ett cirkulärt system för skyddshandskar avsedda för engångsbruk. Den föreslagna tekniken skulle eliminera behovet av råmaterialutvinning, tillverkning och transport. Systemet är baserat på tillverkning av skyddshandskar från polyvinylalkohol. På grund av materialets unika egenskaper är det möjligt att lösa upp handskarna i vatten, sterilisera dem och åter tillverka dem till nya handskar. Handskarna visade sig ha jämförbara mekaniska egenskaper som de nuvarande alternativen på marknaden. Systemet innehåller många element från tillverkningsprocessen av nitrilgummi- och latexhandskar, men införandet av rengörings- och steriliseringssteg kommer att ifrågasätta den främsta orsaken till att förbrukningsskyddshandskar används i första hand - för att säkerställa sterilitet. Slutsats Optimering, automatisering och implementering av detta system kommer att göra sjukvårdsindustrin mer oberoende och mer miljövänlig. Att införa ett system för att återvinna och sterilisera skyddshandskar för engångsbruk, bevisar möjligheten att ersätta linjära livscykler med cirkulära, genom att ifrågasätta orsakerna bakom ohållbart beteende och lösa dessa problem. Förorenat avfall förbränns idag, somliga hävdar att energiåtervinning kan klassificeras som återvinning, men energiåtervinning saknar egenskapen att bevara materialets värde. Detta system har materialvärdet i fokus genom att återanvända det i flera cykler. Liknande arbete kommer att krävas för att hålla jämna steg med den ökade avfallsproduktionen. Cirkulära system kan göra det möjligt för människor att uppfylla sina behov med en avsevärt minskad miljöbelastning. Lösningen behöver ytterligare forskning och måste förbättras före implementering. Men innovationen i ett internt system och ett mer direkt tillvägagångssätt för tillverkning - återvinning - återanvändning har presenterats för att skapa nytt värde för avfall och ny teknisk utveckling för att förbättra avfallshanteringen och återvinningsindustri.

The diploma thesis deals with the concept of circular economy (hereinafter CE) and its application in several Czech and one multinational company. On these specific examples of companies, the work shows how circularity is achieved, with all the essentials of this fact, what support for the concept is offered in the Czech Republic and, last but not least, what obstacles and problems the companies face. Along with this practical experience, opinions by theoretical experts who deal with the issue in their profession are further examined. The aim of the work was to map the matter of use of secondary raw materials and other principles of CE in both practical and theoretical spheres of knowledge, and where possible, to compare these two views. Furthermore, the work focuses on the benefits of real use of the principles of CE in the Czech conditions from an environmental point of view. In its theoretical part, it first addresses the issue of waste in general, especially from the perspective of a global problem. It presents the development, current situation and forecast of the size of waste generation, including its impacts. Furthermore, it has introduced the concept of CE, its various concepts and definitions, together with the main principles. Subsequently, it presents the real adoption of the concept by...

Purpose: This thesis’ purpose is to identify a CLSC model of flat glass, including actors,waste sources, and what can be done with recycled flat glass. In addition, this researchaims to propose a cost structure of a flat glass CLSC. Thus, this thesis’ research questions(RQ) are: RQ1: How can closed-loop supply chains (CLSC) for the purpose of flat glasslook like? RQ1.A: What actors are a part of a flat glass CLSC? RQ1.B: What are thewaste sources of flat glass in a flat glass CLSC? RQ1.C: What are the uses of flat glassas secondary material? RQ2: How can a cost structure for a closed-loop supply chain(CLSC) for the purpose of flat glass look like?  Method: For this purpose of this thesis the researchers chose to employ a pragmatistresearch philosophy. The thesis is an exploratory qualitative study using an abductiveapproach. A case study strategy was used, and data was collected through semi-structuredinterviews and a literature review. Seven interviews were conducted with the six casecompanies. Findings: A flat glass CLSC consists of three phases: manufacture, use, and secondary(raw) material. The main actors are float glass manufacturer, flat glass processor/refiner,flat glass distributor, construction and demolition company, flat glass recycler, and freighthauler. Sub-actors of a flat glass CLSC are raw materials supplier, government, thirdparty contractors, container glass manufacturer, and glass wool manufacturer. Secondarymaterial occurs during flat glass manufacturing, distribution/transport, construction, anddemolition. It can be divided into three types, i.e., pure, high quality cut-offs,contaminated flat glass, and end-of-use flat glass. The possible uses of flat glass assecondary material are float glass, container glass, and glass wool manufacturing. Thecost structure for a flat glass CLSC divides cost elements into the three phases of a flatglass CLSC and six supply chain cost categories, which include manufacturing cost,distribution cost, warehousing cost, administration cost, capital cost, and installation cost. Theoretical Implications: This master’s thesis helps in adding to two research areas: flatglass and CLSC. By reviewing existing literature and conducting the case studies inChina, Germany, and Norway, the researchers can reflect the current practices of flat glassCLSCs in different countries, thereby adding to existing scientific research to close theresearch gap of flat glass CLSCs. Practical Implications: This master’s thesis contributes to practice by providing a flatglass CLSC model and cost structure which can be used as a starting point of developinga flat glass CLSC and its cost structure. In addition, this thesis is connected to anotherbigger research project in collaboration with the Linnaeus University and the city ofVäxjö, the findings from this thesis are beneficial for improving the situation of flat glassin Sweden. Societal Implications: By researching circularity in CDW, this master’s thesis helps notonly the city of Växjö but also other Swedish cities to improve the situation of flat glassand strive towards a full circular economy, further contributing to an increase insustainability in Sweden.