Transitioning towards a circular economy agri-food model: strategies to move from goals to objectives in the olive oil sector
Daniela Spina, Massimiliano Borrello, Roberta Selvaggi, Gaetano Chinnici, Manal Hamam, Luigi Cembalo, Mario D’Amico
Abstract
Addressing the overuse of natural resources is crucial, and the circular economy (CE) offers a solution by turning waste into value to meet societal needs. CE may support business development without increasing resource exploitation. However, transitioning to CE models presents socio-technical challenges across the value chain, and the adoption of circular practices into established systems requires to overcome several system lock-ins. This study focuses on the agri-food sector, particularly the olive oil supply chain, chosen for its economic significance and potential for upcycling by-products. Through semi-structured interviews with 17 key informants, using the multi-level perspective (MLP) framework as conceptual background, this study explores how niche-level innovations can challenge and reconfigure existing regimes, leading to systemic change. The findings suggest potential CE transition pathways and highlight the complex socio-technical interactions necessary for sustainable transformation.