Blockchain‐based recycling and its impact on recycling performance: A network theory perspective

• Published in: Business strategy and the environment Vol. 31; no. 8; pp. 3717 - 3741
• Main Authors: Gong, Yu, Xie, Shenghao, Arunachalam, Deepak, Duan, Jiang, Luo, Jianli
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester Wiley Periodicals Inc 01.12.2022
• Subjects: Accountability; Blockchain; blockchain technology; circular economy; Cognitive ability; Cryptography; Network formation; network theory; Receptivity; Recycling; recycling chain; Social integration; sustainability; sustainable supply chain; Technology; Tracking; Waste management
• ISSN: 0964-4733; 1099-0836
• DOI: 10.1002/bse.3028

The purpose of this study is to explore the application of blockchain technology (BCT) in recycling. This research applies a multiple case study approach with six pioneer organisations, based on secondary data. We found that BCT is an effective approach to promote recycling performance: it can provide tokenisation, waste flow tracking and recycling chain integration. The benefits include ‘Eco‐friendly’, ‘Stimulate participation’, ‘Social inclusion’, ‘Transparent recycling chains’ and ‘Extended producer responsibility accountability’. However, the majority of existing BCT‐based initiatives are in the pilot stage and face cognitive, technology, internal and external barriers. Our research is one of the first studies on blockchain‐based recycling. We applied the network theory of ‘Reachability’, ‘Richness’ and ‘Receptivity’ and ‘network formation’ barriers to propose a conceptual framework of BCT‐based recycling, which serves as a practical reference for the recycling industry.