INTEGRATION OF HOMELESS PEOPLE INTO CIRCULAR VALUE CHAINS AS SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND INCLUSIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT

Abstract

The article explores the intersection of social entrepreneurship and circular value chains, focusing on the systemic integration of homeless individuals into inclusive waste management frameworks. Amidst accelerating global resource depletion and growing urban marginalization, traditional linear economic models fail to address both environmental degradation and social exclusion. This study analyzes the paradigm shift where waste streams are transformed from ecological liabilities into socio-economic assets capable of facilitating human-centered rehabilitation. By examining field data, sociological surveys, and international case studies, the research evaluates the behavioral feedback and willingness of vulnerable populations to participate in green initiatives. The findings indicate that while macroeconomic circular policies are driven by ecological imperatives, the motivation of marginalized individuals shifts fundamentally from environmental awareness to immediate economic survival, autonomy, and the restoration of civic dignity. The paper identifies that long-term participant retention depends on replacing traditional rigid administrative and corporate hierarchies with flexible task-oriented structures, secure daily compensation loops, and low-barrier entry phases that bypass immediate bureaucratic triggers. Furthermore, the study presents a comparative analysis of institutional readiness across various global markets, emphasizing the legislative advantages of Extended Producer Responsibility in mature European regions versus the highly scalable impact-investment ecosystems in emerging economies. The structural friction points, such as physical health burnout and the absence of embedded psycho-social support mechanisms, are scrutinized alongside recommendations for public-private partnerships. Ultimately, the paper provides a cohesive strategic roadmap for municipal authorities and social entrepreneurs, demonstrating that the synthesis of inclusive waste management with circular principles creates a resilient framework that simultaneously reduces urban poverty, minimizes landfill pressure, and generates sustainable economic value.