How can you select the best circular economy strategy using life cycle assessment?

1 What is life cycle assessment?

LCA is a method of assessing the environmental impacts of a product or service throughout its life cycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal or recycling. It can help you identify the hotspots of environmental pressure, compare different scenarios or alternatives, and communicate the results to stakeholders. LCA can also support the design and implementation of circular economy strategies by quantifying the potential benefits and trade-offs of reducing, reusing, repairing, remanufacturing, or recycling materials.

2 How to apply LCA to circular economy strategies?

To apply LCA to circular economy strategies, you need to follow some steps. First, you need to define the goal and scope of your study, including the functional unit, the system boundaries, and the impact categories. The functional unit is the reference unit that defines the function or performance of the product or service. The system boundaries are the limits of the processes and activities that are included in the analysis. The impact categories are the environmental aspects that are measured, such as climate change, water use, or toxicity. Second, you need to collect data on the inputs and outputs of each process within the system boundaries, such as energy, materials, emissions, or waste. Third, you need to calculate the environmental impacts of each process and aggregate them to obtain the total impacts per functional unit. Fourth, you need to interpret the results and draw conclusions based on the goal and scope of your study.

3 How to compare different circular economy scenarios using LCA?

To compare different circular economy scenarios using LCA, you need to define the scenarios that reflect the different options or alternatives for managing the product or service at each stage of its life cycle. For example, you can compare a linear scenario, where the product is disposed of after use, with a circular scenario, where the product is reused, repaired, remanufactured, or recycled. You can also compare different circular scenarios, such as recycling vs. composting, or different levels of reuse or repair. Then, you need to apply the same LCA method and assumptions to each scenario and compare the results per functional unit. You can use indicators, graphs, or tables to visualize and communicate the differences in environmental impacts among the scenarios.

4 How to identify the best circular economy strategy using LCA?

To identify the best circular economy strategy using LCA, you need to consider some criteria. First, you need to check the validity and reliability of your data and assumptions, and perform a sensitivity analysis to test how they affect the results. Second, you need to consider the trade-offs and synergies among the different impact categories, and use a weighting or normalization method to aggregate them into a single score or ranking. Third, you need to consider the uncertainty and variability of your results, and use a statistical or probabilistic method to account for them. Fourth, you need to consider the stakeholder preferences and values, and use a multi-criteria decision analysis method to incorporate them into the evaluation. Finally, you need to consider the practical and contextual factors, such as the availability, feasibility, and acceptability of the circular economy strategy, and use a scenario analysis method to explore them.

5 How to improve your circular economy strategy using LCA?

To improve your circular economy strategy using LCA, you need to use the results and insights from your evaluation to identify the areas of improvement and the opportunities for innovation. You can use a life cycle thinking approach to understand the interconnections and interactions among the different stages and actors of the product or service system. You can also use a circular economy framework to identify the strategies and actions that can increase the circularity and sustainability of the product or service. For example, you can use the R framework to apply the principles of reduce, reuse, repair, remanufacture, and recycle, or the butterfly diagram to distinguish between the technical and biological cycles of materials. You can also use a design thinking approach to generate and test new ideas and solutions that can enhance the function or performance of the product or service.

6 How to communicate your circular economy strategy using LCA?

To communicate your circular economy strategy using LCA, you need to use clear and effective methods and tools that can convey the value and benefits of your strategy to your target audience. You can use a storytelling technique to create a narrative that explains the problem, the solution, and the impact of your strategy. You can also use a visualization technique to create a graphic that illustrates the life cycle stages, processes, and impacts of your strategy. You can also use a certification or labeling technique to create a symbol or mark that verifies the environmental performance of your product or service. You can also use a reporting or disclosure technique to create a document or platform that provides detailed and transparent information on the methods and results of your LCA.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?