Creating Circular Economy Toolkit for SMEs in the Accommodation and Restaurant Businesses: A Research-Based Design

Abstract

This applied research is an evidence-based approach employing a qualitative method. It is aimed to investigate the interests and desires of the accommodation and restaurant SMEs relating to an effective circular economy toolkit. An individual in-depth interview is conducted to collect data from 23 key informants, representing owners and/or top management of SMEs located in the coastal provinces of Thailand. Descriptive analysis is executed in accordance with media and design elements for the circular economy toolkit. Results revealed that: (1) CE toolkit must place emphasis on execution, be realistic and providing guidelines that can be implemented in SMEs’ businesses. (2) The media set must include video clips as the major tool. Booklets might be utilized as supplementary, along with infographic poster for CE execution spots. (3) Content and presentation style must be easy to follow, attractive and practical in real business situations. Since two main types of surplus materials and wastes mainly generated in this business sector involves food and plastic, it is, thus, suggested to make contents clear, easy, and precise by separating subjects into sub-sections. Finally, the researcher synthesizes findings to propose a pragmatic approach for creating a toolkit set for driving circular economy practices among the targeted SMEs.