Transition to Circular Economy. Solutions for an Intelligent City

Abstract

The European Union "produces" about three billion tons of waste each year and only a small part is leveraged on the rental, reuse or recovery markets. This model of production and consumption is dangerously testing the limits and global resources and poses serious threats to the sustainability and stability of our future. The consumer economic factor based on the phrase "produce-distribute-buy-use-throw", which implies the existence of large quantities of raw materials, cheap and easily accessible as well as cheap energy, will reach its physical limits of sustainability. In this context, we aim to analyze the concept of "circular economy" and to assume it as a viable alternative to smart cities. The results have shown that such a vision is a collaborative strategy that needs a bottom-up approach. Also, collaboration must be undertaken by all stakeholders within the intelligent city.