Abstract
The food sector is a key driver of social and environmental pressures, and businesses within this sector are looking to the circular economy for solutions. This research focusses on how UK food manufacturing small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) engage, and how they could become more circular. Data was collected from interviews with 10 UK food manufacturing SMEs. The research suggested that UK food manufacturing SMEs engage with the circular economy to varying extents. All companies had implemented Circular Oriented Approaches (COAs), but none had monitored to guide or prioritise implementation. The most common were aimed at reducing planetary pressures. Companies encountered enablers and barriers to implementing COAs. Enablers connected to other enablers in positive feedback loops, as did the barriers. Enablers and barriers were found to be opposite ends of the same spectrum which created multiplier effects in the system. These generated a ‘race to the top’ or ‘race to the bottom’, with the possibility of tipping points. The interviews uncovered that the following three steps would steer UK food manufacturing SMEs to experience enablers and so better engage with the transition to a circular economy: 1. A cohesive, overarching plan with clear goals for all companies to align to, 2. A package of support including expertise to monitor and translate the plan into business, policies, incentives, funding and networks, and 3. Alignment of indirect stakeholders with forums for discussion, communication channels and education. SMEs should use monitoring to guide adaptation in response to changes within the dynamic global system.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Circular Economy, SME, Food Sector, Sustainability
