A Systems-Based Framework for Product Circularity Assessment

One of the key aspects of Circular Economy (CE), particularly when focusing on the product level, lies in its emphasis on designing products to facilitate the circulation of resources and maximize value throughout their entire lifecycle. To effectively develop such products an understanding of the characteristics of circular products (CP) is needed. Adopting a systems perspective that considers the total lifecycle and stakeholders involved and recognizing interdependencies among them is essential for identifying factors that characterize CPs. Existing methods for assessing product circularity do not identify all factors that characterize CPs and have limitations in the measurement methods proposed, leading to poor industry adoption. This research aims to develop a systems-based framework with clearly defined attributes, indicators, and metrics for product circularity assessment (PCA) to facilitate more effective design practices for CPs. A two-pronged approach, with industry engagement, is followed to address this gap: first, a systematic analysis of literature is conducted to identify key attributes and establish a clear foundation of what constitutes a CP; secondly, a comprehensive examination of indicators and metrics to evaluate the attributes is undertaken. This paper presents the preliminary systems-based framework for PCA with example attributes, indicators, and metrics, specifically for consumer electronic product circularity evaluation and directions for further research.