Modeling circularity as Functionality Over Use-Time to reflect on circularity indicator challenges and identify new indicators for the circular economy.

Hatzfeld, Tobias, Backes, Jana Gerta, Guenther, Edeltraud and Traverso, Marzia, (2022). Modeling circularity as Functionality Over Use-Time to reflect on circularity indicator challenges and identify new indicators for the circular economy.. Journal of Cleaner Production, 379 134797-n/a

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  • Sub-type Journal article
    Author Hatzfeld, Tobias
    Backes, Jana Gerta
    Guenther, Edeltraud
    Traverso, Marzia
    Title Modeling circularity as Functionality Over Use-Time to reflect on circularity indicator challenges and identify new indicators for the circular economy.
    Appearing in Journal of Cleaner Production   Check publisher's open access policy
    Volume 379
    Publication Date 2022-12-15
    Place of Publication Amsterdam, Netherlands
    Publisher Elsevier B.V.
    Start page 134797
    End page n/a
    Language eng
    Abstract The Circular Economy describes an economic system that creates value without causing unrecoverable waste, a growing problem of the Anthropocene. The question remains what solutions to reversing this course could look like and how indicators should be designed to measure their capabilities to constitute a circular economy. These indicators should allow for a nexus approach, i.e., consider synergies and trade-offs with other important social, environmental, and economic factors. Earlier research shows a research gap in indicators able to assess value change and retention, i.e., the preservation of specific functions instead of products in general. Aiming to fill this gap, in this article, we discuss using the concept of functionality from Life Cycle Assessment over the time product systems are used to measure circularity. We create a Functionality Over Use-Time (FOUT) graph and use it to illustrate the challenges of existing circularity indicators. The challenges are grouped into four clusters: 1) multi-cyclic longevity; 2) up- & downcycling effects; 3) measuring disruptive change instead of incremental change; 4) integration into sustainability assessment. We discuss how considering FOUT could solve these challenges and propose two novel indicators derived from the approach: A functional circularity indicator and a cross-functional circularity indicator. The functional circularity indicator measures the integral surface of functionality over the use-time of the original product's materials. The cross-functional circularity indicator measures the time a product's functionality is reduced by half. Finally, FOUT modeling and the indicators are exemplified in a comparative case study of a steel-reinforced concrete double wall and a Carbon Reinforced Concrete double wall. Further case studies are needed for future research, including FOUT indicator integration in Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment and a detailed representation of the 10R in FOUT modeling.
    Keyword Circularity
    Circular economy
    Indicator
    Challenges
    LCA
    Functional unit
    Copyright Holder The Authors
    Copyright Year 2022
    Copyright type Creative commons
    ISSN 0959-6526
    DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134797
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    Created: Thu, 20 Jul 2023, 09:41:02 JST by Věra Greschner Farkavcová on behalf of UNU FLORES