Inequities blocking the path to circular economies
A bio-inspired network-based approach for assessing the sustainability of the global trade of waste metals
Filippos K. Zisopoulos ( Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam)
Brian D. Fath (International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Towson University, Masaryk University)
Susana Toboso-Chavero (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences, Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam)
Hao Huang (Princeton University)
Daan Schraven (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
Benjamin Steuer (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
Alexandros Stefanakis (Technical University of Crete)
O. Grant Clark (McGill University)
Serban Scrieciu (University College London)
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Abstract
Considering the importance of waste metals for the transition to circular economies, this study follows a bio-inspired approach to evaluate their material and monetary global trade patterns for sustainability and equity. Between 2000 and 2022, the global trade grew by 5 % in trading countries, by 37 % in trade links, by 71 % in material flows, and by 569 % in economic flows. Driven by indirect effects, the average circulation of material and monetary flows ranged between 21.8–34.9 % depending on the demand or supply perspective but showed a declining trend. Due to homogenization, high network redundancy, and low network efficiency the trade remained robust yet outside the "window of vitality" characterizing natural ecosystems. A few, mostly high-income countries dominated the market, consolidating imports of high-value metal waste mostly from low- and middle-income exporters. Policies should address circularity and trade inequities, accounting for environmental and social ramifications throughout the lifecycle of products and materials.
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