Envisioning a Circular Economy: The Journey of One Mid-Sized Midwestern City

Jennifer Petoskey, Missy Stults, Eileen Naples, Galen Hardy, Alicia Quilici, Cassie Byerly, Amelia Clark, Deja Newton, Elizabeth Santiago and Jack Teener
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Jennifer Petoskey: Department of Public Works, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA
Missy Stults: Office of Sustainability and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
Eileen Naples: Department of Public Works, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA
Galen Hardy: Office of Sustainability and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
Alicia Quilici: Department of Public Works, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA
Cassie Byerly: Office of Sustainability and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
Amelia Clark: Office of Sustainability and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
Deja Newton: Office of Sustainability and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
Elizabeth Santiago: Office of Sustainability and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
Jack Teener: Office of Sustainability and Innovation, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 6, 1-18

Abstract: The City of Ann Arbor has committed to a just and equitable transition to community-wide carbon neutrality by 2030. Our guiding plan, A 2 ZERO, outlines seven strategies and 44 actions that were chosen by the community to achieve this goal. One of the seven strategies is “Changing the Way We Use, Reuse, and Dispose of Materials”, including the action: “move toward a circular economy”. Many cities are trying to move towards a circular economy, tailoring policies, actions, and outreach towards their unique circumstances. Regardless of context, becoming circular requires an array of actions including collaboration and partnership, policy setting, program development, and education. This paper explores how the concept of the circular economy is discussed in the peer reviewed literature and in practitioner circles, exploring similarities and differences. Following this, we undertake a critical instance case study on the City of Ann Arbor’s materials management programs and efforts towards achieving a more circular local economy. We conclude by offering pathways that Ann Arbor and other cities across the U.S. can pursue to advance a circular economy.

Keywords: circular economy; materials management; zero waste; solid waste; environment; life cycle thinking; sustainability; system change (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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