It is published in "Sustainability: Science, Practice, and Policy" (Vol. 21, Issue 1, 2025), the article emerges from the Mobilities, Beliefs and Belonging: Confronting Global Inequalities and Insecurities (MOBB) research cluster.
The piece addresses a core dilemma in the circular economy, how to promote technological innovation without neglecting social justice. While dominant circular economy models often emphasize technical efficiency. The authors argue that open-source mid-tech (a balance between high-tech and low-tech solutions) offers a balanced pathway, technically stable yet accessible and community-driven. Through two case studies, they demonstrate how community ownership, local technical sovereignty, and inclusive participation can be embedded from the start.