University of Twente Student Theses
Measuring product-level circularity performance based on the Material Circularity Indicator : An economic value-based metric with the indicator of residual value
Jiang, L. (2020) Measuring product-level circularity performance based on the Material Circularity Indicator : An economic value-based metric with the indicator of residual value.
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| Abstract: | Circularity metrics are essential for assessing the progress of circular transition, which creating a resilient and sustainable further. It is widely agreed that the Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) is the most ambitious circularity framework and can be served as a good starting point. Hence, the research objective is: To develop a circularity metric by recovering the limitations inherent in the MCI at product-level in the construction sector. Two limitations are focused in this study. Firstly, the MCI is too dependent on the measurement unit – mass, which could not effectively represent the value embedded in the materials/products, and fails to distinguish the relative value scarcity of different materials. The shortcomings of the mass flow are revised by introducing the economic value of materials (E), instead of focusing only on physical units. Secondly, in the MCI, the quantity/quality of a product maintains the same over time, which assumes over-optimistically about the residual value of the product after the end of life. An independent indicator - Residual Value (R) is designed for the circularity metric to measure value change after usage. Furthermore, a residual value calculator, involving the design strategies and deterioration factors, is developed to quantify R and hence support the circularity assessment. A case study approach is adopted to evaluate the effect of each and combined adjustment (E and R). The results show using E as the measurement unit can provide more accurate information on the circularity performance of a product from an economic perspective. Furthermore, involving R gives different significance to virgin feedstock and unrecoverable waste based on value change, which can balance the circularity performance and economic benefits. With these advantages, it is expected that the circularity metric contributes the standard agreements of the circularity measurement, and thus, help construction companies estimate how advanced on their way from linear to circular. Keywords: Circular Economy; Material Circularity Indicator; circularity metric; economic value; residual value |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | ET: Engineering Technology |
| Programme: | Construction Management and Engineering MSc (60337) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/81392 |
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