Katarzyna Bułkowska, Magdalena Zielińska, Maciej Bułkowski
Effective management of recyclable plastic waste is critical for environmental sustainability and economic viability. Blockchain technology has transformative potential in addressing the challenges of plastic waste management. Currently, the inefficiency of plastic recycling systems results in low recycling rates and significant environmental impacts due to poor sorting, contamination, and limited technology application. However, innovations such as chemical recycling, solvent-based techniques, and biotechnology offer promising advances in the management of plastic waste. Blockchain technology provides a transparent, decentralized ledger that enhances traceability and incentives through smart contracts, decentralized applications (DApps), and digital watermarks. These blockchain solutions can improve waste tracking, automate payments, and reward participants who recycle responsibly. Although significant investment in technology and education is required, integrating blockchain with the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven analytics could revolutionize plastic waste management by creating transparent, efficient, and collaborative recycling ecosystems. Blockchain technology has immense potential to redefine the management of plastic waste and promote a sustainable, circular economy.
It is established that based on the industrial revolutions towards Industry 5.0, the population of the Earth and its well-being are increasing. To preserve and improve living conditions the development in all spheres of life is by the paradigm of sustainable development. Through the prism of the mining industry, one step could be the introduction of circular economy measures for digitized tracking of materials, repairs, consumed electricity, safety, and finances. Implementing of electric cars is an option to achieve this goal through automation, manageability, and data traceability via Industry 4.0 technologies. Such are blockchain technologies, IoT, V2V, and others. For this purpose, the appropriate types of power supplies for electric vehicles for the mining sector have been identified and information flows have been defined. They are quantity of material, consumed electricity, state of the fleet, charging of batteries and operation of charging stations, and finances. For their implementation, Hyperledger Fabric was chosen as a suitable DLT platform ([1], [2]). Based on Hyperledger Fabric, a conceptual model for tracking material quantities as a step of the circular economy is proposed. A method of communication is shown in the presence of two channels - material and repairs for an electric car.
Social manufacturing leverages the power of social networks and collaborative processes to enhance manufacturing capabilities and supports the sharing of ideas, resources, and information. However, traditional remote maintenance under a social manufacturing context lacks resilience against disruptions and cyber attacks. These issues often lead to interruptions in production. This article proposed blockchain-of-things-based edge learning contracts for federated predictive maintenance (FPM). First, given the diversity and heterogeneity of equipment, an open platform communication unified architecture (OPCUA)-based equipment meta-model is proposed to facilitate the interconnection and data sharing. Second, a Blockchain-of-Things-based secure access control approach is proposed, to directly collect data from controllers. This approach prevents tampering, unlike traditional local database collection methods. Third, to address the security and efficiency needs, an edge learning contract method is proposed for FPM. An integrated learning algorithm based on smart contracts is designed to achieve prediction performance that is comparable to local centralized training while reducing data transmission load and enhancing data security. Finally, a federated predictive maintenance platform is designed and implemented to enhance the system’s resilience, and its effectiveness is verified through case studies.
Today, the concept of green energy has a critical role in achieving sustainability goals. The effective utilization of green energy resources and the management of energy from generation to distribution has become a key priority of sustainable energy transformation today. In this context, the use of blockchain technology provides an important infrastructure for transparent and secure management of energy processes. Blockchain is known as distributed ledger technology and represents a database that is updated simultaneously between many computers on a network. This technology is used in many application areas, ensuring data integrity and security. In the green energy sector, the use of blockchain technology is possible in various scenarios. Issues such as more effective use of green energy resources, monitoring and verifying energy consumption, and reducing carbon emissions include potential applications of blockchain in this field. The article aims to make a valuable contribution to the transformation process in the energy sector by examining green energy, sustainability goals, and how blockchain technology can be integrated into sustainability studies in the green energy sector and the studies carried out in this direction.
Robert G. Werner, Dominique Briechle, Marit Elke Anke Mathiszig
Currently, the ad hoc, one-way distribution of pharmaceuticals from pharmacies to their customers is inefficient and high in emissions. The HitchhikeBox concept aims to improve the current logistics system by utilizing existing transport channels. This eliminates the need for single-purpose delivery trips and personnel. The system is open to competing service providers, with fully automated contract management, payment and sanctioning of the parties involved. The system utilizes asymmetric encryption and zero-knowledge proofs to guarantee user privacy and non-traceability of deliveries for contracts, payments, and sensor data. The system is designed to be resilient, self-governing and suitable for highly sensitive goods, such as the transport of pharmaceuticals, by ensuring their optimal condition. In addition, the system utilizes smart contracts to conclude and enforce contracts, as well as a distributed off-chain cluster to process and store data in a GDPR-compliant manner. The HitchhikeBox concept facilitates semi-automated, cost-effective and eco-friendly logistics while maintaining reliability, privacy and liability.
In the era of globalisation, the use of technology and concerns for sustainability is eminent in the supply chain management practices. The current study focuses on sustainable and green supply practices in different stages of supply chain management and how they can be facilitated by blockchain technology (BT). The study has addressed the existing gaps in the area namely, the lack of research assessing stage-wise green supply chain for environmental performance focusing on BT. The current study aims to assess the impact of BT on different stages of the green supply chain and a firm's environmental performance. The study also focuses on analyzing the impact of green supply chain stages on environmental performance. The study uses PLS-based structural equation modelling approach to investigate the hypothesised relationships between BT adoption and stage-wise green supply chain practices. The data was collected from individuals from medium-sized enterprises from the manufacturing industry in India. The findings reveal a positive association between blockchain adoption and green supply chain management practices leading to enhancement in environmental performance. Furthermore, the study indicates a positive relationship between blockchain integration and different stages of the green supply chain, underscoring its multi-faceted impact on environmental performance. The findings imply that the BT adoption can facilitate the realization of sustainable supply chain practices and performance improvement.
The growing complexity of construction supply chains and the significant impact of the construction industry on the environment demand an understanding of how to reuse and repurpose materials. In response to this critical challenge, research gaps that are significant in promoting material circularity are described. Despite its potential, the use of blockchain technology in construction faces challenges in verifiability, scalability, privacy, and interoperability. We propose a novel multilayer blockchain framework to enhance provenance tracking and data retrieval to enable a reliable audit trail. The framework utilises a privacy-centric solution that combines decentralised and centralised storage, security, and privacy. Furthermore, the framework implements access control to strengthen security and privacy, fostering transparency and information sharing among the stakeholders. These contributions collectively lead to trusted material circularity in a built environment. The implementation framework aims to create a prototype for blockchain applications in construction supply chains.
The conventional traceability system faces challenges such as centralized control, lack of transparency, unreliable data, and the frequent creation of information silos. To address these issues, this paper introduces a blockchain-based traceability system tailored for the storage and retrieval of product information in the agricultural supply chain. Utilizing blockchain's inherent properties of decentralization, immutability, and traceability, this system enhances the transparency and trustworthiness of traceability data. Furthermore, the integration of blockchain technology with cryptography is suggested to enable the secure exchange of private information within the blockchain network. Additionally, we have developed a reputation-based smart contract system to motivate network participants to contribute traceability data actively. This approach aims to leverage blockchain's capabilities to overcome the limitations of traditional traceability systems in the agricultural sector. This research paper explores the role of blockchain technology in enhancing supply chain transparency and efficiency, focused on food and agriculture sector. It underscores the growing consumer demand for authentic product and the challenges of maintaining transparency is increasingly becoming difficult in global and complex markets. Findings reveal that blockchain has significant capabilities to increases transparency, traceability, and security, while potentially reducing costs and errors. However, the study also identifies challenges, such as technological complexities, scalability issues, regulatory uncertainties, and integration hurdles. A strategic framework for adopting blockchain in retail supply chains is proposed, offering insights for practitioners and policy considerations. The paper also designs a novel traceability system for agricultural product supply chains, employing blockchain technology to address issues such as centralized management, opaque information, and data unreliability. The study concludes that while blockchain technology presents significant opportunities for transforming supply chains, realizing its full potential necessitates careful strategizing and sector-wide collaboration. The research offers recommendations for practitioners and outlines directions for future research, highlighting that the successful application of blockchain hinges on organizational adjustments and meeting specific boundary conditions.
Mohammad Jabed Morshed Chowdhury, Naveed Ul Hassan, Wayes Tushar, Dusit Niyato · 7 authors
The adoption of renewable energy resources, such as solar power, is on the rise. However, the lack of recycling facilities for solar panels in particular poses environmental risks. This article suggests a circular economy (CE) approach to address this issue. By implementing blockchain technology, the end of life (EOL) of solar panels can be tracked, and responsibilities can be assigned to relevant stakeholders. The degradation of panels can be monetized by tracking users’ energy-related activities, and these funds can be used for future recycling. A new coin, the recycling coin (RC-coin), incentivizes solar panel recycling and utilizes decentralized finance (DeFi) concepts to stabilize the coin price and supply issue.
Mohammad Jabed Morshed Chowdhury, Naveed Ul Hassan, Wayes Tushar, Niyato, Dustin · 7 authors
The adoption of renewable energy resources, such as solar power, is on the rise. However, the excessive installation and lack of recycling facilities pose environmental risks. This paper suggests a circular economy approach to address the issue. By implementing blockchain technology, the end-of-life (EOL) of solar panels can be tracked, and responsibilities can be assigned to relevant stakeholders. The degradation of panels can be monetized by tracking users' energy-related activities, and these funds can be used for future recycling. A new coin, the recycling coin (RC-Coin), incentivizes solar panel recycling and utilizes decentralized finance to stabilize the coin price and supply issue.
Purpose Firms are increasingly pressured to comply with mandatory supply chain transparency (SCT) regulations. Drawing on information processing theory (IPT), this study aims to show how blockchain technology can address information uncertainty and equivocality in assuring regulatory compliance in an interorganizational network (ION). Design/methodology/approach IPT is applied in a single case study of an ION in the mining industry that aimed to implement blockchain to address mandatory SCT regulations. The authors build on a rich proprietary data set consisting of interviews and substantial secondary material from actors along the supply chain. Findings The case shows that blockchain creates equality between actors, enables compliance and enhances efficiency in an ION, reducing information uncertainty and equivocality arising from conflict minerals regulation. The system promotes engagement and data sharing between parties while protecting commercial sensitive information. The lack of central authority prevents larger partners from taking control. The system provides mineral provenance and a regulation-compliant record. System cost analysis shows that the system is efficient as it is inexpensive relative to volumes and values of metals transacted. Issues were identified related to collecting richer human rights data for assurance and compliance with due diligence regulations. Originality/value The authors provide some of the first evidence in the operations and supply chain management literature of the specific architecture, costs and limitations of using blockchain for SCT. Using an IPT lens in an ION setting, the authors demonstrate how blockchain-based systems can address two key IPT challenges: environmental uncertainty and equivocality.
As global concerns about environmental sustainability and ethical sourcing continue to rise, supply chain management faces increasing pressure to adopt transparent and accountable practices. This research paper provides a comprehensive review of the application of blockchain technology in the pursuit of sustainable supply chains. By leveraging the decentralized and immutable nature of blockchain, organizations can enhance transparency, traceability, and overall sustainability throughout the supply chain. The paper reviews existing literature, analyzes real-world case studies, and identifies key benefits and challenges associated with implementing blockchain in supply chain management. Furthermore, the research explores potential future developments and innovations in blockchain technology that could further advance sustainable practices within global supply chains. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the intersection of blockchain technology and sustainable development, offering insights for academics, practitioners, and policymakers.
Koduru Manohar Reddy, Kowtharapu Kesava Sai, D. Deepa
The blockchain-based voting system is emerging efficient technology as it reduces voting costs and increases voter turnout. This technology lets people to vote from anywhere with an Internet connection by eliminating the need to visit a physical polling center. The primary challenge faced by internet voting is its security. To overcome this challenge, the decentralized and distributed blockchain technology is preferred. It provides tamper-proof and visible voting records, ensuring that the votes are dependable, accurate, and secure. This study has developed a blockchain-based e-ballot application to provide a secure electronic voting system that offers the same degree of equality and privacy as existing voting services but with the added transparency and flexibility that electronic voting systems provide. The purpose of employing blockchain as a service, in conjunction with distributed ledger technologies to construct an electronic voting system is to address the drawbacks faced by existing voting system while also making it more cost efficient. To summarize, blockchain-based voting systems may be able to overcome some of the challenges that now hinder political decision-making.
One of the most important sectors of the world economy is the mining and metals sector. Although, many operational and commercial procedures continue to be ineffective and out-of-date, which results in crucial data omissions, security flaws, and sometimes corruption. Given that the mining industry wants to increase the emphasis on ethical and open mining practices, the industry has been looking for ways to incorporate these practices. It is envisioned that such practices will contribute to the modernisation of supply chains in addition to helping to reduce risks related to sustainability and reputation. The application of blockchain technology in the minerals industry capable of tracking natural resources has been discussed in this study, giving a much-needed layer of transparency of this technology. However, there are a lot of difficulties and problems that come up when thinking about blockchain technology; if it is to advance as an industry standard, stakeholders will need to evaluate the usefulness and scalability of the technology. While blockchain technology can be applied to a wide range of areas in the minerals industry, this study shines more light on the application of this technology to conflict minerals tracking, mineral resources reporting cheating scandals, rock mechanics designs and monitoring strategy, blasting designs and operation, mine ventilation designs and applications, mining machinery maintenance and management, and mining surveying. The study reveals that blockchain technology is starting to be seriously evaluated and used by a variety of stakeholders, even though broad acceptance has not yet been attained.
Abstract The adoption of environmentally and socially responsible practices, particularly in the form of low‐emission supply chain management (LESCM), has become increasingly vital for businesses globally. Renewable energy‐oriented LESCM practices are effective tools for proactive and leading manufacturing organizations, making them socially and environmentally responsible enterprises. In this context, our research focuses on understanding how LESCM implementation by companies may indirectly impact firms' financial success, through facilitating the adoption of blockchain technology (BT). Furthermore, we investigated the impact of the adoption of BT on reducing business operating costs and improving the business's environmental performance. To answer these research questions, we have used survey data from 189 Bangladeshi manufacturing firms, a developing country facing unique challenges and opportunities in the realm of sustainable business practices. Through rigorous analysis and robust statistical methods, we substantiate our hypotheses, shedding light on the positive associations between LESCM practices, BT adoption, financial performance, cost reduction, and environmental sustainability.