Extended reality for circular economy: a scoping review

Abstract

The transition towards a circular economy (CE) requires more than technological innovation: it also depends on making complex circular systems understandable and translating their principles into practice. However, knowledge gaps and practical challenges continue to hinder the broader adoption of CE. Extended reality (XR) technologies may help bridge this gap by making abstract concepts, processes, and interdependencies tangible through interactive and immersive experiences. Beyond communicating CE principles, XR can also support their practical implementation by providing new ways to visualize information, simulate processes, and assist users in real-world tasks. Despite this potential, how XR is currently being applied within the context of CE remains fragmented and has not yet been comprehensively mapped. This paper addresses this gap through a PRISMA-guided scoping review of XR applications for CE, analyzing 24 publications across five major databases. We distinguish between public- and industry-oriented applications and examine their application domains, targeted CE strategies, and technological implementations. The results reveal distinct patterns in how XR is used across public and industry contexts, highlighting its potential to support circular practices while also exposing areas that remain largely unexplored. Together, these findings provide an overview of the emerging intersection between XR and CE and identify opportunities for future research and application.