AN ETHICAL EVALUATION OF CIRCULAR ECONOMY PRACTICES WITHIN GLOBAL HALAL INDUSTRY NETWORKS
Indonesia 
United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates 
Abstract
Global halal industry networks increasingly adopt circular economy practices to reduce waste, recover materials, and improve resource efficiency, yet their broader ethical adequacy remains insufficiently examined. This study aimed to evaluate whether circular practices within halal supply chains align with Shar??ah integrity, environmental responsibility, social justice, governance transparency, and long-term value preservation. A qualitative comparative multiple-case design was employed across twelve organizations in six countries, involving forty-eight informants, document analysis, non-participant observation, and a structured Islamic ethical evaluation rubric. The findings showed that waste segregation, by-product valorization, sustainable packaging, and water recovery were the most common practices. Shar??ah integrity achieved the strongest performance, while social justice received the lowest score. Digital chain-of-custody systems and independent auditing were associated with stronger transparency and overall ethical performance, although technology could not compensate for weak standards, inaccurate supplier data, or limited verification. The study concludes that circularity becomes ethically substantive only when material recovery is integrated with lawful sourcing, contamination control, worker protection, measurable environmental benefit, and accountable governance. Halal certification alone cannot demonstrate comprehensive ethical sustainability; broader evaluative frameworks are required to connect circular production with maq??id al-shar??ah and responsible global value-chain management across diverse sectors, jurisdictions, communities, and future generations worldwide.
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References
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Copyright (c) 2026 Abdul Chalim, Hassan Al Mutawa, Rasha Al Ansari
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