Authors: Dionysia Paraschi, Paschalis Arvanitidis

Title: Exploring circular economy initiatives as a commons: the Greek experience

Abstract

The mainstream approach to the issue of circular economy places particular emphasis on the economic and the environmental dimensions disregarding the aspects of social justice and equality which also constitute key elements for sustainable development. These two aspects indicate a movement towards a different consumption culture and economic behaviour that is based on values of collective engagement, cooperation and sharing, all of which are critical elements of the commons. The commons, which constitutes specific institutional structures within the broader field of social and solidarity economy, embraces all circular economy dimensions and therefore is a more appropriate theoretical and analytical approach to explore and assess circular economy actions.

On these grounds, the aim of the current research is to conceptualize, and subsequently to analyze and evaluate circular economy initiatives as commons. In doing so the research has drawn on cases of circular economy initiatives that specialize in the reuse of used clothing in Greece, to explore whether, and if so to what degree, they are organized under the principles of commons.

The research finds that the commons model describes quite well all circular economy structures examined (a collectivity, a social enterprise, a non-profit organization, and a municipal social service), though to a different degree depending on their particular characteristics. It is also found that all structures set up satisfying mechanisms of effective commons management, determined by the extend of collective, bottom-up representation, operational flexibility, and implementation of democratic decision-making processes.