Connecting the Circular Economy and Sustainability: Finnish Stakeholder Perceptions

The circular economy has been presented as a means to promote ecological, economic, and social sustainability. However, the connection between the circular economy and sustainability remains undefined in both theory and practice. In this chapter, we examine how a circular economy and its connection to sustainability are understood among key stakeholder groups promoting the circular economy in Finland, a forerunner country in sustainable development. Theoretically, we build on circular economy and corporate sustainability literature. Empirically, we conducted an analysis of 26 qualitative interviews with circular economy stakeholders. As a result, we present three categorisations of a sustainable circular economy: a business-centric circular economy, a systemic circular economy, and a regenerative circular economy. Our findings demonstrate that different stakeholder groups at the local, regional, and national levels acknowledge the importance of the circular economy for the promotion of sustainability. Stakeholder views vary in terms of how broadly sustainability is understood and to what extent a circular economy is connected to the promotion of economic, ecological, and social sustainability. The findings call for a dialogue among stakeholders on how the circular economy can promote sustainable development.