Circular economy and life cycle thinking applied to the biomass supply chain: A review

Abstract

The adoption of circular economy and life cycle thinking (LCT) tools plays an important role in implementing and evaluating sustainable development strategies of companies. However, until now there is no review paper on the application of these concepts in the biomass supply chain (BSC). This paper aims to review the application of circular economy and LCT in BSC. PRISMA method was used for the review. The analysis was conducted to examine case studies focusing on (1) approaches and practices of applying circularity economy concepts such as circular economy principles, strategies, indicators, business models, (2) application of LCT tools and sustainable concepts. Besides, benefits, limitations, and discussion of applying these concepts and tools were conducted. The review results show that four circular economy principles are applied (reuse, recycle, reduction and recovery), in forms of three strategies: use innovative technologies, improving operational activities and extending the BSC. Regarding LCT, most of the studies focus on environmental assessment, with some extension to economic and social impacts. Most of the exiting literature studied circular economy and LCT separately; therefore, it is recommended that comprehensive, life cycle-based tools should be developed for businesses and decision-makers to thoroughly assess and improve circularity and sustainability of bioenergy.