Iran’s electrical and electronic industries are sitting on a goldmine of untapped value—literally. According to research led by Goodarz Khatami Nasab, a PhD candidate at the Department of Industrial Management, Islamic Azad University (Khorasgan), Isfahan, the raw materials embedded in the country’s electronic waste are worth an estimated €55 billion. Yet, only about 20% of this waste is properly collected and recycled. The gap isn’t just an environmental concern; it’s a missed economic opportunity.
Khatami Nasab’s study, published in *مدیریت بهره وری* (*Productivity Management*), uses a grounded theory approach to uncover the drivers, barriers, and outcomes of developing a circular supply chain model for Iran’s electrical and electronic industries. Through 12 in-depth interviews with industry experts and analysis of 129 specialized documents, the research identifies 137 open codes, which are distilled into 27 barriers, 36 enablers, and 12 outcomes of circular supply chains. The findings are structured using the Strauss and Corbin (1998) paradigmatic model, offering a roadmap for policymakers and industry leaders to transition from linear to circular models.
“A circular supply chain isn’t just about waste management,” Khatami Nasab explains. “It’s about reimagining how we design, produce, and reuse products to keep materials in use for as long as possible.” The study highlights that high-value items like heat exchangers, screens, and monitors—due to their weight and size—are more likely to be recycled. But the real challenge lies in changing the system itself.
For the energy sector, the implications are significant. Electrical and electronic industries are major consumers of energy and raw materials. A circular approach could reduce reliance on virgin resources, lower energy-intensive extraction processes, and even stabilize supply chains in the face of global volatility. “By integrating circular principles, manufacturers can reduce lifecycle costs and improve competitiveness,” says Khatami Nasab. “This isn’t just sustainable—it’s smart economics.”
The research also points to the need for macro-level policy interventions. Financial incentives, tax breaks for recycling industries, and investment in advanced recycling technologies are among the tools suggested to accelerate the transition. The study emphasizes that without supportive regulations and international collaboration, even the best intentions may stall.
As Iran grapples with resource constraints and environmental pressures, the circular economy model offers a tangible path forward. For industries and policymakers, the message is clear: the future isn’t just about using less—it’s about using differently. And in a world where raw materials are becoming scarcer, that shift could be the difference between stagnation and growth.
Published in *Productivity Management*, this research provides a framework that could extend beyond Iran’s borders, offering lessons for other emerging economies facing similar challenges. The question now isn’t whether a circular model is possible, but how quickly it can be implemented.