This study aims to systematically go through the various factors that prevent the implementation and diffusion of new closed-loop solutions and, thus, the transformation towards a circular economy. These factors are studied in the context of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) management. WEEE management offers an interesting context to study this, as technologies and political pressures, as well as a business potential for more efficient material recovery, exist. The study follows an embedded single case design based on interviews with actors in the WEEE management system. While the individual constraints may hinder the uptake of advanced recycling solutions, the interactions between these constraints seem to have an enforcing effect and lead to the formation of system-level lock-ins. This study identified three system-level lock-ins, the national extended producer responsibility scheme, techno-economic issues, and tensions in the supply chain, that impede the adoptation of innovations and the consequent transformation of the WEEE management system. Understanding how these different constraints interact is essential for any effort to unlock the system and support Circular Economy transformation.

本研究旨在系统地分析阻碍新闭环解决方案实施和扩散的各种因素，从而防止向循环经济转型。这些因素是在废弃电气和电子设备 (WEEE) 管理的背景下进行研究的。WEEE 管理提供了一个有趣的背景来研究这一点，因为技术和政治压力以及更有效的材料回收的商业潜力都存在。该研究遵循基于对 WEEE 管理系统中参与者的访谈的嵌入式单一案例设计。虽然个别限制可能会阻碍先进回收解决方案的采用，但这些限制之间的相互作用似乎具有强制作用并导致系统级锁定的形成。本研究确定了三个系统层面的锁定，即国家扩大生产者责任计划、技术经济问题和供应链中的紧张局势，它们阻碍了创新的采用以及随之而来的 WEEE 管理系统的转型。了解这些不同约束如何相互作用对于解锁系统和支持循环经济转型的任何努力都至关重要。