LCA is one of the most frequently applied methodologies for assessing circularity and is aligned with the Circular Economy’s focus on the environmental dimension.
ensures Circular Economy business mobilisation with proven benefits for the environment (and society)
CE – a conceptual way of considering the impact of resource consumption
creating value for society and the economy while reducing the impact on the environment by redefining the concept of end-of-life products through reduction, reuse and recycling programs [or 9R programs]
LCA – a scientific methodology for quantifying and assessing the environmental impact of any process or product
recognised as one of the most complete assessment methods
Combination of CE principles and LCA robustness
can have the potential to provide a holistic approach that could strengthen available CE alternatives and result in a deeper analysis and better understanding of economic, social and environmental sustainability
Complementing CE with LCA
→ as metrics (in CE evaluation): to scientifically assess how products or processes effectively comply with CE and possible improvements in terms of the environment and economy
LCA – covers the following CE requirements:
(Haupt and Hellweg, 2019)
LCA can provide direct assessment for all but the second dimension
Linking LCA to the wider CE
→ as an iterative process:
Limitations and weaknesses of LCA with respect to CE assessment
to avoid them
Combining LCA with other methods currently used to model and quantify CE can be an excellent way to gain more insights into identifying potential environmental trade-offs of improving circularity and/or how to effectively move from a linear to a Circular Economy.
Video: Full Life Cycle Thinking
Full Life Cycle Thinking and Circular economy – LCA in practice
Source: Plastics Europe