Does the Circular Economy Grow the Pie? The Case of Rebound Effects From Smartphone Reuse

摘要: The environmental benefits of the circular economy (CE) are often taken for granted. There are, however, reasons to believe that rebound effects may counteract such by increasing overall consumption or ‘growing pie’. In this study, we focus on two main mechanisms: (1) imperfect substitution between ‘re-circulated’ (recycled, reused, etc.) and new products (2) re-spending due economic savings. We use case study smartphone reuse in US quantify, first time, from reuse. Using a combination life cycle assessment, sales statistics, consumer surveying, demand modelling, environmentally-extended input-output analysis, quantify magnitude effect life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions. find 29% average, with range 27% 46% specific models. Moreover, when exploring how might play out other regions under different behaviour patterns, could be higher than 100% (backfire effect). words, estimate about one third, potentially entirety, emission savings resulting lost effect. Our results thus suggest there grounds challenge premise CE strategies, particular, always reduce burdens.