Cooperative Models for Circular Economy Integration in Cost-Effective Waste Management and Recycling
Keywords:
Circular Economy Cooperative Models Waste Management Recycling Systems Resource Recovery Sustainable DevelopmentAbstract
The shift of a linear economy to the circular one is what has become a necessity to solve the increasing environmental issues related to waste production and depletion of resources. This paper examines how cooperative models can be utilized to support the integration of the circular economy into waste management and recycling. Based on a systematic review of the literature and a thematic analysis, the studies on the cooperative governance, recycling efficiency, and sustainability outcomes were investigated within the period 2015-2025 and relevant articles were found. The results have shown that waste picker cooperatives and community recycling groups are cooperative structures that improve the waste collection, segregations, and recycling processes, improve the resource recovery and decrease landfill waste. It also shows that cooperation waste management systems lead to social inclusion and creation of jobs as well as encouragement of cost-effective recycling activities. Nevertheless, there are still obstacles like institutional support and poor recycling infrastructure, which are hampering the adoption of large scale. The research emphasizes the role of a supportive policy, stakeholder cooperation, and investments in recycling infrastructure to reinforce circular waste management systems that are cooperative in nature.
References
- Avilés-Palacios, C., & Rodríguez-Olalla, A. (2021). The sustainability of waste management models in circular economies. Sustainability, 13(13). https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/13/7105
- Barford, A., & Ahmad, S. (2021). Socially restorative circular economy. Circular Economy and Sustainability.
- Buch, R., Marseille, A., Williams, M., & Aggarwal, R. (2021). From waste pickers to producers: An inclusive circular economy solution through development of cooperatives in waste management. Sustainability, 13(16). https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/16/8925
- Castillo-Ospina, D. et al. (2025). Waste picker organizations and circular economy inclusion. Sustainable Futures.
- Ferronato, N., Pasinetti, R., & Valencia Vargas, D. (2022). Circular economy and solid waste management development projects. Sustainability, 14(3). https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/3/1412
- Ferronato, N., Pasinetti, R., & Vargas, D. (2022). Circular economy and solid waste management. Sustainability.
- Fuss, M., Barros, R., & Poganietz, W. (2021). The role of socio-integrated recycling systems in implementing circular economy. Waste Management.
- Geissdoerfer, M., Savaget, P., Bocken, N., & Hultink, E. (2017). The circular economy – A new sustainability paradigm. Journal of Cleaner Production.
- Grimstad, S. (2026). Cooperatives and circular economy innovation.
- Guerreschi, A., & Díaz López, F. (2023). A bibliometric analysis on cooperatives in circular economy and eco-innovation studies. Sustainability, 15(21). https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/21/15595
- Gutberlet, J., Carenzo, S., & Kain, J. (2017). Waste picker organizations and circular economy. Resources.
- Buch, R. et al. (2021). Waste picker cooperatives in circular economy systems. Sustainability.
- Gutberlet, J., Carenzo, S., & Kain, J. (2017). Waste picker organizations and their contribution to the circular economy. Resources, 6(4). https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9276/6/4/52
- Kirchherr, J., Reike, D., & Hekkert, M. (2017). Conceptualizing the circular economy. Resources, Conservation & Recycling.
- Lee, P., Sims, E., Bertham, O., Symington, H., & Bell, N. (2017). Towards a circular economy: Waste management in the EU. Wuppertal Institute.
- Mhatre, P., Panchal, R., Singh, A., & Bibyan, S. (2021). A systematic literature review on circular economy initiatives. Sustainable Production and Consumption.
- Miranda, I. et al. (2020). Integration of recycling cooperatives in municipal waste management. Sustainability. Campagnaro, C., & D’Urzo, M. (2021). Social cooperation as a driver for circular economy. Sustainability.
- Miranda, I. T. P., Fidelis, R., et al. (2020). The integration of recycling cooperatives in the formal management of municipal solid waste as a strategy for the circular economy. Sustainability, 12(24). https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/24/10513
- Mirzaei, S., & Shokouhyar, S. (2023). Circular economy in sustainable supply chains: A thematic analysis. Environment, Development and Sustainability.
- Morais, J. et al. (2022). Global review of waste picking and circular economy. Environmental Research Letters. Negrete-Cardoso, M., & Rosano-Ortega, G. (2022). Circular economy strategy and waste management: A bibliometric analysis. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-022-18703-3
- Palafox-Alcantar, P., Hunt, D., & Rogers, C. (2020). Stakeholder cooperation in circular economy waste management systems. Energies, 13(7). https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/7/1845
- Pisano, V., Demajorovic, J., & Besen, G. (2024). Sustainability indicators for waste picker cooperatives. Ruggieri, A. et al. (2016). Inter-organizational cooperation for circular economy transition. Sustainability.
- Şavga, L., Ivanov, T., Perciun, R., & Iordachi, V. (2023). The cooperative and the circular economy: Embracing collaboration towards sustainability.
- Siman, R. et al. (2020). Governance tools for waste picker organizations. Waste Management.
- Suchek, N., Fernandes, C., & Kraus, S. (2021). Innovation and the circular economy: A systematic literature review. Business Strategy and the Environment.
- Tirado-Soto, M., & Zamberlan, F. (2013). Networks of recyclable material waste-picker cooperatives: An alternative for solid waste management. Waste Management.
- Valencia, M. et al. (2023). Waste picking and circular economy transitions. Journal of Cleaner Production.
- Velis, C. (2017). Waste pickers in the informal recycling sector. Waste Management & Research.
- Ziegler, R. et al. (2023). Circular economy and cooperatives. Sustainability.
