Abstract

The neoclassical economic theory and the agglomeration economies literature completely overlook the importance of environmental and sustainability issues, so they cannot answer to the question whether economic sustained growth and environmental sustainability can be combined. In order to gain useful insights on the subject the principles of industrial ecology are considered. On the basis of the information gathered from the Micron and Alma c.i.s. case studies as well as of the criticalities associated with industrial symbiosis, the essay provides for some policy remarks.