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
Document type:
Article
Collection:
-
Sub-type Journal article Author Hatzfeld, Tobias
Backes, Jana Gerta
Guenther, Edeltraud
Traverso, MarziaTitle 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 unitCopyright Holder The Authors Copyright Year 2022 Copyright type Creative commons ISSN 0959-6526 DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134797 -
Citation counts Search Google Scholar Access Statistics: 196 Abstract Views - Detailed Statistics Created: Thu, 20 Jul 2023, 09:41:02 JST by Věra Greschner Farkavcová on behalf of UNU FLORES