Mid Sweden University

A take-back system can reduce the usage of virgin natural resources by reusing discarded products. However, if actors in the take-back system treat the discarded products as waste, the reuse value potential is lost. A situation that negatively impacts the sustainability and financial performance of the take-back system. The study explores the reuse of discarded white goods using data from multiple take-back value streams for discarded white goods. This is not an ideal case of a take-back system but rather a case showing some of the challenges in creating an efficient one. The study identifies interest alignment between collaborating actors as a key condition for maximizing the recoverability of discarded products, capturing value, and reducing value loss. Additionally, information asymmetry impacts value loss and financial performance. The study proposes introducing governance mechanisms and leads firm initiatives to promote conditions conducive to ecosystem actor alignment. An effective take-back system usually requires a lead firm-an orchestrator-responsible for the structure and performance of the take-back system, including governance, commercial arrangements, go-to-market coordination, value creation mechanisms, value sharing mechanisms, and risk management.

Despite growing awareness of the importance of waste prevention in circular economy transitions, substantial volumes of reusable items continue to be discarded. This exploratory case study investigates consumer behavior at a Swedish recycling center, focusing on decisions made at the point of disposal. Guided by Social Practice Theory (SPT), the study examines how routines, knowledge, infrastructure, and cultural meanings shape behavior when individuals choose whether to recycle or reuse functional or repairable products. A mixed-methods approach combined on-site vehicle scanning, semi-structured interviews, and contextual observations. Scanning results showed that up to 35 % of discarded items had reuse potential, highlighting a significant gap between waste system outcomes and consumer intent. Qualitative data revealed that even consumers with positive attitudes toward reuse often default to recycling due to convenience, time constraints, and low confidence in repair or reuse options. Donating to charity often alleviates guilt, but many of these items are later recycled by the organizations, exposing systemic inefficiencies and public misunderstandings. Findings are analyzed through the SPT lens, emphasizing the interplay of meanings (social norms, moral justifications), competences (repair skills, reuse knowledge), and materials (product quality, infrastructure). This framing shows how reuse practices are constrained by structural conditions and embedded habits. The study contributes to sustainable consumption literature by identifying behavioral barriers and mismatches between consumer expectations and system design. It proposes targeted interventions, including clearer reuse criteria, better guidance at disposal points, and system adjustments aligned with everyday practices—to enhance reuse behavior and reduce preventable waste.

This paper investigates the integration of circular economy (CE) principles in craft education through the use of secondary resources from a local recycling centre. The researchers studied Brännaskolan, an elementary school in Härnösand, Sweden, where two craft teachers transformed the material flow of crafts by incorporating recycled textiles, wood, and metal, thereby minimising the reliance of new materials. 

The purpose of the study was to explore how schools can align with the  United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and become more circular in the material flow of crafting education. This transition to a circular process targets reduced environmental impact, cost-effectiveness, and increased sustainability awareness among students and teachers.

A case study included interviews with craft teachers, the school principal, recycling staff, and municipal employees. It also involved process mapping, pilot testing in classrooms, and direct observations. A systematic approach to managing the circular material flow was developed, including the collection, preparation, and order and delivery of secondary materials. Workshops allowed teachers to design new assignments using recycled materials, while discussions explored students’ perspectives on sustainability and teachers’ adaptation.

Key findings indicated that transitioning to a circular flow significantly reduces environmental impact, lowers costs, and enhances sustainability awareness among the students and teachers. Success factors included passionate individuals driving the change, increased creativity in lesson design, and decreased reliance on newly purchased materials. Challenges identified included insufficient personnel dedicated to sustainability, supply inconsistencies, and initial adaptation hurdles for teachers and students.

The study offers a replicable model for educational institutions aspiring to adopt circular economy practices. It also highlights the need for institutional and policy support to effectively scale such endeavours. By embedding circular principles into the curricula, schools can substantially contribute to sustainability, providing both environmental and educational benefits that extend beyond the classroom.

A newly developed and tested survey instrument assessed the impact of individual beliefs, norms, and attitudes on the adoption of circular practices in the building industry, with a focus on reuse behaviors in renovation and construction. The findings indicate that while attitudes indirectly influence organizational intentions, norms, and perceived behavioral control directly relate to reuse intentions. These results highlight the critical role of psychological factors in promoting sustainable practices within the industry, emphasizing the need for further exploration of how these elements interact to advance environmental responsibility.

The facilitation of transforming into a better world will have to be ecosystemic, taking into account complex living ecosystems of people, processes, technology, places, and relationships. The transformation will also have to include an important shift in mindset from just being sustainable, reducing negative impacts, to becoming regenerative in terms of creating life-affirming outcomes across the ecosystems. In contributing to that, this paper explores the potential role and function of using teams of ecosystemic enablers for regenerative ecosystem facilitation. Insights are shared from teams and interventions in two ecosystems in Sweden aiming to increase ecosystemic learning, improvement, and regenerative development. 

Denna rapport utgör en första redovisning av arbetet som genomförts under perioden 1 april till den 30 juni 2024 inom projektet om hållbara materialflöden i skolslöjd. Slöjdlärarna Therese Eklund Rahm och Kerstin Eriksson, vid Brännaskolan i Härnösand, har på ett innovativt och nyskapande sätt förändrat slöjdundervisningen genom att integrera ett tydligt hållbarhetsperspektiv. Med fokus på hållbarhet har lärarna utvecklat skolslöjden genom att utveckla och etablerar ett cirkulärt materielsystem som använder material från den kommunala återvinningsstationen. Detta gör att slöjdundervisningen är ett intressant fall att studera för att lära mer och för att ge fler skolor möjlighet till kunskaper om hållbarhet och ökad användning av återbruksmaterial som kan spridas i ett vidare perspektiv. Lärarna samarbetar med Härnösand Energi och Miljö (HEMAB) för att ta tillvara trä, metall och textilier för återbruk. Material som skulle ha bränts upp blir i stället till slöjdalster och ersätter nyproducerade material. Slöjdundervisningen utgör ett konkret sätt för eleverna att lära sig om miljö- och resursanvändning genom återbruk, samt förstå hur ett hållbart samhälle fungerar. Lärarnas användning av återbrukat material har på flera sätt varit banbrytande inom slöjdundervisningen och har föregått den nationella utvecklingen på området. Detta arbete har därför genererat erfarenheter som kan tillföra värdefull kunskap till den nationella forskningen, både vad gäller slöjdundervisning och återbruk. Dessutom har dessa erfarenheter relevans för Härnösands kommun i dess roll som skolhuvudman. De insikter och erfarenheter som verksamheten vid Brännaskolan har gett upphov till har systematiskt identifierats, kartlagts och analyserats. Arbetet med att samla in och bearbeta textilier, såga upp bordskivor m.m. har genererat nya arbetsuppgifter inom cirkulär ekonomi där ny kunskap utvecklats med potential att bidra till en fortsatt samhällsutveckling inom området.

The purpose of this study is to explore how quality tools can be applied to develop sustainable education among higher education students, with a particular focus the analysis and understanding the challenges associated with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Design/Methodology/Approach: In a master's course in an Engineering School, focusing on quality tools, the SDGs were introduced as a subject of study for students to apply the aforementioned tools. Later, students’ assignments were analyzed employing a mixed-methods approach to understand the impact of integrating SDGs into the curriculum. Findings: The assessment of the conducted exercise was well-received by students, demonstrating proficient use of the assigned tool. It has been proven that the introduction of basic quality tools to analyze problems related to the SDGs is effective, demonstrating that their use extends beyond the analysis of quality-related issues. The gender analysis reveals differing perspectives on sustainable development among male and female students, providing valuable insights for inclusive educational interventions. Moreover, preliminary results show variations in students' preferences for specific SDGs, indicating potential areas for targeted educational campaigns and interventions. Research Limitations/Implications: The study's scope may be limited by sample size or specific institutional contexts. However, these findings contribute to sustainable development education by demonstrating the efficacy of quality tools in the integration of the SDGs, identifying gender-based differences in engagement, and highlighting variations in SDG popularity among higher education students. These insights are crucial for educators, curriculum developers and policy makers seeking to develop informed and committed individuals for the SDGs. 

The transformation towards increasing circularity in the building industry is slow. This qualitative study takes a holistic approach and gathers stakeholders and actors from one local building value chain to explore attitudes and intentions toward reuse. Using dialogic focus groups, enabling and hindering factors for reuse are studied by unlocking insights through listening to stories based on participants' own experiences with reuse and recycling of materials in building projects. Although the overall attitude towards reuse is positive in the studied group, several hindering attitudes are revealed through their stories and statements.

Quality Management (QM) is currently facing a new landscape that makes the traditional emphasis on internal organizational excellence as well as many of the QM leadership control practices, increasingly insufficient. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to revitalizing and updating QM theory and practice for a living world by exploring an ecosystemic and regenerative approach. The paper presents initial results from a study of the phenomena of developing and improving together, across boundaries of organizations and actors, in two complex ecosystems. The results highlight four enablers and six wishes that could inform further exploration and future QM practice.

The purpose of a take-back system is to reduce usage of new natural resources by reusing discarded products. However, value stream actors often damage the discarded products by treating it as waste, and potential reuse value is lost in the value stream bringing discarded products to a reuse facility. The value loss can be reduced through reconfiguring collaboration and alignment of purpose between value stream actors. The study explores multiple product take-back value streams and identify alignment in collaboration as an enabler of low product damage and high value creation which are central to operationalization of circular economy.