Short answer
Integrate circular economy principles into economic assessments from the outset of the design process to reveal long-term cost savings and drive the adoption of sustainable building solutions.
- Field
- Sustainability
- Source
- Resources Conservation and Recycling (2020)
- Method
- Development and application of a Circular Economy Life Cycle Costing (CE-LCC) model.
- Evidence
- Strong effect
A specialized life cycle costing model adapted for circular economy principles can reveal the long-term economic advantages of sustainable building components over traditional 'business-as-usual' approaches. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2020 study published in Resources Conservation and Recycling. Using Development and application of a circular economy life cycle costing (ce-lcc) model., researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Integrate circular economy principles into economic assessments from the outset of the design process to reveal long-term cost savings and drive the adoption of sustainable building solutions.
Circular Economy Life Cycle Costing Model (CE-LCC) Demonstrates Long-Term Economic Viability of Sustainable Building Components
A specialized life cycle costing model adapted for circular economy principles can reveal the long-term economic advantages of sustainable building components over traditional 'business-as-usual' approaches.
Resources Conservation and Recycling · 2020
Key Findings
- 01The CE-LCC model can effectively assess the economic viability of circular building components.
- 02The most flexible variant of the Circular Kitchen demonstrated the lowest Life Cycle Cost (LCC) outcome, even when considering various remanufacturing and recycling scenarios.
- 03The model facilitates alignment of functional units and system boundaries with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
Application
Design takeaway
Integrate circular economy principles into economic assessments from the outset of the design process to reveal long-term cost savings and drive the adoption of sustainable building solutions.
How to apply
When designing building components, use or adapt the CE-LCC model to compare the long-term economic performance of circular design strategies against conventional approaches, considering various end-of-life scenarios.
Project actions
- 01When evaluating design choices, consider the entire lifecycle cost, not just the initial purchase price.
- 02Explore how different end-of-life scenarios (e.g., repair, remanufacture, recycle) impact the overall economic viability of your design.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Adaptation of existing LCC techniques to specific CE requirements.
- +Application to a real-world case study (Circular Kitchen).
Limitations
Accurately predicting future costs for remanufacturing and recycling can be challenging due to market uncertainties and technological advancements.
Reliability & validity
The validity of the CE-LCC model is supported by its application to a case study, though further testing across diverse scenarios would enhance its reliability. The economic assumptions made for future processes (remanufacturing, recycling) introduce potential variability.
Think critically
To what extent can the CE-LCC model be generalized beyond the building industry, and what adaptations would be necessary for other product sectors?
Design Principles
"Design for Disassembly and Reuse: Building components should be designed to be easily disassembled, repaired, remanufactured, or recycled to maximize their lifespan and minimize waste, leading to long-term economic benefits."
This research provides a framework for designers and engineers to quantify the economic benefits of circular design strategies. By considering multiple use cycles, end-of-life processes, and remanufacturing scenarios, the CE-LCC model helps justify investments in sustainable materials and product designs, driving adoption within the building industry.
What This Means for Your Design
A special way to calculate costs over a product's whole life, including when it's reused or recycled, shows that eco-friendly building parts can actually save money over time.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when justifying the economic benefits of your chosen sustainable design solutions, particularly if they involve circular economy principles like reusability or remanufacturing.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
The development of a Circular Economy Life Cycle Costing (CE-LCC) model by Jansen et al. (2020) provides a robust framework for assessing the long-term economic viability of sustainable building components. Their research highlights that designs incorporating principles of multiple use cycles and end-of-life processing, such as remanufacturing and recycling, can yield lower overall life cycle costs compared to conventional 'business-as-usual' approaches, thereby supporting the economic justification for circular design strategies in the built environment.
Source
Resources Conservation and Recycling
A circular economy life cycle costing model (CE-LCC) for building components
journal · 2020
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about circular economy life cycle costing model (ce-lcc) demonstrates long-term economic viability of sustainable building components?
- Integrate circular economy principles into economic assessments from the outset of the design process to reveal long-term cost savings and drive the adoption of sustainable building solutions. Evidence: Resources Conservation and Recycling (2020).
- Why does "Circular Economy Life Cycle Costing Model (CE-LCC) Demonstrates Long-Term Economic Viability of Sustainable Building Components" matter for design?
- This research provides a framework for designers and engineers to quantify the economic benefits of circular design strategies. By considering multiple use cycles, end-of-life processes, and remanufacturing scenarios, the CE-LCC model helps justify investments in sustainable materials and product designs, driving adoption within the building industry.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Integrate circular economy principles into economic assessments from the outset of the design process to reveal long-term cost savings and drive the adoption of sustainable building solutions.
- What were the main findings?
- The CE-LCC model can effectively assess the economic viability of circular building components.. The most flexible variant of the Circular Kitchen demonstrated the lowest Life Cycle Cost (LCC) outcome, even when considering various remanufacturing and recycling scenarios.. The model facilitates alignment of functional units and system boundaries with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
- What research method was used?
- Development and application of a Circular Economy Life Cycle Costing (CE-LCC) model..
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2020 journal from Resources Conservation and Recycling.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing building components, use or adapt the CE-LCC model to compare the long-term economic performance of circular design strategies against conventional approaches, considering various end-of-life scenarios.
- What are the limitations?
- The model could benefit from further research and broader application across different building component types and contexts.