In this introductory essay the editor first explores the many definitions of the circular economy (CE) and aims to identify the gap in the CE discourse in which social and cultural aspects may be situated. The author proposes a new solidarity economy (SSE) influenced paradigm in which both...

This study proposes the integration of an earthenware-based biofilter into photobioreactors, to allow Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) growth using fully-organic nutrient sources. The earthenware membrane was an efficiently selectively-permeable material, enabling the oxidation of soluble...

This paper builds on the available knowledge on what drives firms’ production choices towards circular economy practices to shed new light on a so far quite neglected dimension: the role of organizational settings. Being the transition to a more circular economy systemic in nature, it draws...

Applying clustering techniques, this paper identifies homogeneous groups of enterprises within the heterogeneous landscape of the italian manufacturing tissue. The algorithm will be fed with data from a survey on a cross-section of SMEs in 2019. The set of questions span from economic and...

Assessing the economic consequences of sustainable production choices aimed at reducing environmental negative externalities is crucial for policy making, in light of the increasing interest and awareness experienced in the recent EU policy packages (Circular Economy package; European Green Deal...

The Anoxic/Oxic (A/O) process involves recirculating mixed liquor between its A and O tanks so that nitrate produced in the O tank can be used to for denitrification with influent COD in the A tank. Because biomass is recirculated along with nitrate, A/O operation leads to similar microbial...

Phthalic acid esters (PAEs) pollution has become a major environmental problem in agricultural waste composting. However, little information was available about the how the PAEs alter bacterial community during composting. This study was firstly investigated the effects of di-n-butyl phthalate...

In response to the adverse consequences of urbanization, including the production of over 70% of global emissions and the increase in social inequalities, cities have set ambitious missions to devise a set of innovative solutions in their transition to a circular economy. This exploratory...

Differences in the source and behaviour of 129 I versus 127 I isotopes have been described for a variety of surface environments but little is known about their cycling rates in terrestrial ecosystems. We developed a compartment model of iodine cycle in forest ecosystem, with a labile and...

This study demonstrates for the first time the feasibility of producing ectoine adding CO2 as the sole carbon source, and CO2 + glucose with Halomonas stevensii. Initially, CO2 alone was fed to continuous reactors, using thiosulphate as the electron donor. Maximum C 2 elimination capacities of...