TY - JOUR
T1 - Towards circular economy – a wastewater treatment perspective, the Presa Guadalupe case
AU - Casiano Flores, Cesar
AU - Bressers, Hans
AU - Gutierrez, Carina
AU - de Boer, Cheryl
N1 - Emerald deal
PY - 2018
Y1 - 2018
N2 - Purpose: In Mexico, only 19.3 per cent of industrial water is treated (Green-Peace, 2014, pp. 3-4), whereas municipal treatment levels are approximately 50 per cent (CONAGUA, 2014a). This paper aims to focus on how the wastewater treatment plant policy, from a circular economy perspective, is affected by the governance context at the Presa Guadalupe sub-basin. Circular economy can contribute to water innovations that help in improving water quality. However, such benefits are not easily achieved. This case provides an example of the complexity and challenges that the implementation of a circular economy model can face. Design/methodology/approach: Data are collected via semi-structured in-depth interviews with the stakeholders that are members of the Presa Guadalupe Commission. The contextual interaction theory (CIT) is the theoretical basis for this analysis (Boer de and Bressers, 2011; Bressers, 2009). Findings: The findings show that the wastewater treatment plant policy plays an important role in a circular economy model. Some incentives towards a circular economy model are already in place; however, the hurdles of a top-down implementation perspective, low availability of resources, prioritisation of short-term results, lack of enforcement of the “polluter pays”” principle and a linear model of water systems need to be overcome. If Mexico wants to move towards a circular economy model and if the government wants to enforce sustainable development principles, wastewater treatment is a challenge that must be addressed. Originality/value: There are few studies in the circular economy literature that have analysed its implementation under a governance arrangement perspective.
AB - Purpose: In Mexico, only 19.3 per cent of industrial water is treated (Green-Peace, 2014, pp. 3-4), whereas municipal treatment levels are approximately 50 per cent (CONAGUA, 2014a). This paper aims to focus on how the wastewater treatment plant policy, from a circular economy perspective, is affected by the governance context at the Presa Guadalupe sub-basin. Circular economy can contribute to water innovations that help in improving water quality. However, such benefits are not easily achieved. This case provides an example of the complexity and challenges that the implementation of a circular economy model can face. Design/methodology/approach: Data are collected via semi-structured in-depth interviews with the stakeholders that are members of the Presa Guadalupe Commission. The contextual interaction theory (CIT) is the theoretical basis for this analysis (Boer de and Bressers, 2011; Bressers, 2009). Findings: The findings show that the wastewater treatment plant policy plays an important role in a circular economy model. Some incentives towards a circular economy model are already in place; however, the hurdles of a top-down implementation perspective, low availability of resources, prioritisation of short-term results, lack of enforcement of the “polluter pays”” principle and a linear model of water systems need to be overcome. If Mexico wants to move towards a circular economy model and if the government wants to enforce sustainable development principles, wastewater treatment is a challenge that must be addressed. Originality/value: There are few studies in the circular economy literature that have analysed its implementation under a governance arrangement perspective.
KW - UT-Hybrid-D
KW - Circular economy
KW - Mexico water management
KW - Presa Guadalupe Mexico
KW - Wastewater treatment policy
KW - Water basin management
KW - Water governance
KW - Business ethics and sustainability
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85045099793&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://ezproxy2.utwente.nl/login?url=https://webapps.itc.utwente.nl/library/2018/ref/deboer_tow.pdf
U2 - 10.1108/MRR-02-2018-0056
DO - 10.1108/MRR-02-2018-0056
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85045099793
SN - 2040-8269
VL - 41
SP - 554
EP - 571
JO - Management research review
JF - Management research review
IS - 5
ER -