Life cycle Approaches for Evaluating Textile Biovalorisation Processes: Sustainable Decision‐making in a Circular Economy

2020 ◽  
pp. 203-222
Author(s):  
Karpagam Subramanian ◽  
Shauhrat S. Chopra ◽  
Cakin Ezgi ◽  
Xiaotong Li ◽  
Carol Sze Ki Lin
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Circular Economy

scholarly journals Methodology for the quantification of concrete sustainability

2018 ◽  
Vol 174 ◽  
pp. 01006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Břetislav Teplý ◽  
Tomáš Vymazal ◽  
Pavla Rovnaníková
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Service Life ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Load Bearing Capacity ◽  
Sustainability Management

Efficient sustainability management requires the use of tools which allow material, technological and construction variants to be quantified, measured or compared. These tools can be used as a powerful marketing aid and as support for the transition to “circular economy”. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) procedures are also used, aside from other approaches. LCA is a method that evaluates the life cycle of a structure from the point of view of its impact on the environment. Consideration is given also to energy and raw material costs, as well as to environmental impact throughout the life cycle - e.g. due to emissions. The paper focuses on the quantification of sustainability connected with the use of various types of concrete with regard to their resistance to degradation. Sustainability coefficients are determined using information regarding service life and "eco-costs". The aim is to propose a suitable methodology which can simplify decision-making in the design and choice of concrete mixes from a wider perspective, i.e. not only with regard to load-bearing capacity or durability.

scholarly journals Life cycle assessment and circularity indicators

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Rigamonti ◽  
Eliana Mancini
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Partial View ◽  
High Degree ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Purpose In a context where the transition to a circular economy is increasingly required, it is necessary to clarify the relationship between sustainability and circularity. In this commentary we summarise what are circularity indicators and what is LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), and we discuss their potential role in improving circular decision making. Methods Based on literature, a focus on how circularity indicators and LCA could be used in circular decision making is presented. Moreover, an analysis of recent studies has been carried out to identify the relationship between LCA and circularity indicators. Results and discussion We can state that no authors have concluded that circularity indicators can be used alone to choose the best option in circular economy projects. This is because the circularity indicators only provide a partial view on the environmental performance of a system. At the same time, it appears that the circularity indicators are easier to communicate, and a high degree of circularity could help to build good relationships with customers and increase reputation among stakeholders, as well as to have an easier access to funding. Conclusions and recommendations At the end, we propose a procedure to include both the LCA and the circularity measurement in the assessment of circular economy strategies. While still at an early stage of conceptualisation, it gives an idea on how to integrate environmental sustainability aspects into circular economy initiatives.

scholarly journals Life Cycle Sustainability Analysis for Circular Economy

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanesa G. Lo Iacono Ferreira ◽  
Juan Ignacio Torregrosa López
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Performance Indicators ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Key Performance Indicators ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Quality Data ◽  
Sustainability Analysis

A Life Cycle Sustainability Analysis is a complex assessment that requires time, expertise and quality data. Decision-making boards of industries required live data to manage their business. Although planned changes can be made pursuing innovation and sustainability within a wide timeframe, daily decisions are often driven just by economic indicators. However, many industries are already implementing systems, simple or complex, that allows them to obtain some environmental or social information related to their activities aware that not only economic value foster ther circular economy that our planet needs. Key performance indicators are excellent information suppliers that can be define either in the economic, social or environmental area of a sustainable analysis. Willing to develop a methodology easy to apply in existing decision-making panels that incorporates social and environmental indicators to fill the gap of a sustianibility analisys, this research group is exploring new protocols and procedures to define customized key performance indicators. The inclusion of key performance indicators based in Life Cycle Assessment in existing management panels will serve as a tool to make the commitment of our European industries with circular economy come true.

scholarly journals Closed Product Life Cycle as a Basis of the Circular Economy

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 36-50
Author(s):  
Maria Vetrova ◽  
Dinara Ivanova
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Supply Chains ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Product Life Cycle ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Decision Support Model ◽  
Product Life ◽  
The Impact

Objective – The circular economy aims to preserve the value of products and materials within a closed supply chain. The existing models and decision-making methods for managing the end of the product life cycle are mostly focused on the economic aspects. While the circular economy is aimed at combining environmental, economic and social goals. This article aims to develop a model for enterprise decision-making on the disposal of used products, taking into account socio-environmental and economic factors. Methodology/Technique – The article analyzes the impact of digital technologies on the formation of closed supply chains and the development of a circular economy. At the same time, special attention is focused on the model of a closed product life cycle, as a fundamental element in the formation of a circular economy at the micro and nano levels, as well as the importance of using digital technologies at all stages of the product life cycle. Findings –The methods of product management at the end of the life cycle studied in the article have made it possible to form a simulation decision support model regarding the method of product disposal, taking into account environmental and economic feasibility. Novelty – This study identified the main trends in the development of closed supply chains under the influence of digital technologies in the context of a circular economy. Type of Paper: Review JEL Classification: F42, F43 Keywords: Circular Economy; Digital Technology; Decision-making Model; Closed-loop Supply Chains Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Vetrova, M; Ivanova, D. (2021). Closed Product Life Cycle as a Basis of the Circular Economy, Journal of Business and Economics Review, 5(4) 36–50. https://doi.org/10.35609/jber.2021.5.4(4)

scholarly journals Circular economy in the construction sector: advancing environmental performance through systemic and holistic thinking

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magnus Sparrevik ◽  
Luitzen de Boer ◽  
Ottar Michelsen ◽  
Christofer Skaar ◽  
Haley Knudson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Construction Sector ◽  
Recursive Structure ◽  
Effective Implementation ◽  
Environmental Effectiveness ◽  
Standards And Regulations ◽  
Management Schemes ◽  
Different Levels

AbstractThe construction sector is progressively becoming more circular by reducing waste, re-using building materials and adopting regenerative solutions for energy production and biodiversity protection. The implications of circularity on construction activities are complex and require the careful evaluation of impacts to select the appropriate path forward. Evaluations of circular solutions and their environmental effectiveness are often performed based on various types of life cycle-based impact assessments. This paper uses systemic thinking to map and evaluate different impact assessment methodologies and their implications for a shift to more circular solutions. The following systemic levels are used to group the methodologies: product (material life cycle declarations and building assessments), organisation (certification and management schemes) and system (policies, standards and regulations). The results confirm that circular economy is integrated at all levels. However, development and structure are not coordinated or governed unidirectionally, but rather occur simultaneously at different levels. This recursive structure is positive if the methods are applied in the correct context, thus providing both autonomy and cohesion in decision making. Methods at lower systemic levels may then improve production processes and stimulate the market to create circular and innovative building solutions, whereas methods at higher systemic levels can be used, for example, by real estate builders, trade organisations and governments to create incentives for circular development and innovation in a broader perspective. Use of the performance methods correctly within an actor network is therefore crucial for successful and effective implementation of circular economy in the construction sector.

scholarly journals Circular Economy Strategies for Equipment Lifetime Extension: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 1117
Author(s):  
Alessandro Fontana ◽  
Andrea Barni ◽  
Deborah Leone ◽  
Maurizio Spirito ◽  
Agata Tringale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
Production Equipment ◽  
Environmental Standards ◽  
Multiple Strategies ◽  
Medium Enterprise ◽  
Equipment Lifetime ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Lifetime Extension

Even if the economy nowadays is still locked into a linear model of production, tighter environmental standards, resource scarcity and changing consumer expectations are forcing organizations to find alternatives to lighten their impacts. The concept of Circular Economy (CE) is to an increasing extent treated as a solution to this series of challenges. That said, the multitude of approaches and definitions around CE and Life Cycle Extension Strategies (LCES) makes it difficult to provide (Small and Medium Enterprise) SMEs with a consistent understanding of the topic. This paper aims at bridging this gap by providing a systematic literature review of the most prominent papers related to the CE and lifetime extension, with a particular focus on the equipment and machinery sector. A taxonomy was used to define and cluster a subset of selected papers to build a homogeneous approach for understanding the multiple strategies used in the industry, and the standards in maintenance and remanufacturing strategies. As a final research step, we also propose a Strategy Characterization Framework (SCF) to build the ground for the selection of the best strategy to be applied for production equipment life cycle extension on several industrial use cases.

scholarly journals A Review of Bioplastics and Their Adoption in the Circular Economy

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1229
Author(s):  
Alberto Di Bartolo ◽  
Giulia Infurna ◽  
Nadka Tzankova Dintcheva
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
European Commission ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Environmental Risks ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Sustainable Society ◽  
Net Zero

The European Union is working towards the 2050 net-zero emissions goal and tackling the ever-growing environmental and sustainability crisis by implementing the European Green Deal. The shift towards a more sustainable society is intertwined with the production, use, and disposal of plastic in the European economy. Emissions generated by plastic production, plastic waste, littering and leakage in nature, insufficient recycling, are some of the issues addressed by the European Commission. Adoption of bioplastics–plastics that are biodegradable, bio-based, or both–is under assessment as one way to decouple society from the use of fossil resources, and to mitigate specific environmental risks related to plastic waste. In this work, we aim at reviewing the field of bioplastics, including standards and life cycle assessment studies, and discuss some of the challenges that can be currently identified with the adoption of these materials.

scholarly journals Environmental Consequences of Closing the Textile Loop—Life Cycle Assessment of a Circular Polyester Jacket

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 2964
Author(s):  
Gregor Braun ◽  
Claudia Som ◽  
Mélanie Schmutz ◽  
Roland Hischier
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Textile Industry ◽  
System Analysis ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Environmental Consequences ◽  
Energy And Material Flows

The textile industry is recognized as being one of the most polluting industries. Thus, the European Union aims to transform the textile industry with its “European Green Deal” and “Circular Economy Action Plan”. Awareness regarding the environmental impact of textiles is increasing and initiatives are appearing to make more sustainable products with a strong wish to move towards a circular economy. One of these initiatives is wear2wearTM, a collaboration consisting of multiple companies aiming to close the loop for polyester textiles. However, designing a circular product system does not lead automatically to lower environmental impacts. Therefore, a Life Cycle Assessment study has been conducted in order to compare the environmental impacts of a circular with a linear workwear jacket. The results show that a thoughtful “circular economy system” design approach can result in significantly lower environmental impacts than linear product systems. The study illustrates at the same time the necessity for Life Cycle Assessment practitioners to go beyond a simple comparison of one product to another when it comes to circular economy. Such products require a wider system analysis approach that takes into account multiple loops, having interconnected energy and material flows through reuse, remanufacture, and various recycling practices.

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