Short answer
When designing or selecting tools to assess circular economy initiatives, prioritize those that are comprehensive, integrate social and economic aspects alongside environmental ones, and are developed with input from both researchers and industry practitioners.
- Field
- Sustainability
- Source
- Sustainability (2020)
- Method
- Systematic Literature Review and Critical Framework Analysis
- Sample
- 74 approaches
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
A systematic review of 74 academic approaches reveals significant diversity in methodologies for assessing circular economy (CE) at the micro-level, with a need for greater integration of Sustainable Development dimensions and practitioner collaboration. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2020 study published in Sustainability. Using Systematic literature review and critical framework analysis with 74 approaches, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing or selecting tools to assess circular economy initiatives, prioritize those that are comprehensive, integrate social and economic aspects alongside environmental ones, and are developed with input from both researchers and industry practitioners.
Circular Economy Assessment Tools: A Critical Review of 74 Micro-Level Approaches
A systematic review of 74 academic approaches reveals significant diversity in methodologies for assessing circular economy (CE) at the micro-level, with a need for greater integration of Sustainable Development dimensions and practitioner collaboration.
Sustainability · 2020
Key Findings
- 01High methodological diversity exists among CE assessment approaches.
- 02Only 18 of the reviewed approaches explicitly integrate all three dimensions of Sustainable Development alongside the circular dimension.
- 03Approximately 25% of the approaches utilize a participatory design methodology.
- 04There is a call for CE assessment approaches to leverage existing methodologies like Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and foster closer collaboration between academia and practitioners.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing or selecting tools to assess circular economy initiatives, prioritize those that are comprehensive, integrate social and economic aspects alongside environmental ones, and are developed with input from both researchers and industry practitioners.
How to apply
When embarking on a design project focused on circularity, researchers and designers should critically evaluate existing CE assessment tools, considering their methodological rigor, scope of sustainability dimensions covered, and the extent to which they incorporate practical user and industry feedback.
Project actions
- 01When researching circular economy strategies for your design project, look for assessment tools that are well-documented and have a clear methodology.
- 02Consider how your chosen assessment method aligns with broader sustainability goals beyond just material recycling.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Comprehensive systematic review of a large number of academic approaches.
- +Development of a structured critical review framework.
Limitations
The academic tools reviewed might be complex or data-intensive, making them difficult to apply without significant resources or specialized knowledge. Some tools may be more theoretical than practical.
Reliability & validity
The systematic review process enhances reliability. Validity is addressed through the structured critical framework applied to diverse approaches. However, the subjective interpretation within the critical review framework could introduce some level of subjectivity.
Think critically
Given the diversity and limitations of current CE assessment tools, how can designers proactively integrate circular economy principles into their design process without relying solely on post-design assessment?
Design Principles
"Holistic Circularity Assessment: Design assessment frameworks that encompass environmental, economic, and social dimensions, leveraging established methodologies and incorporating stakeholder feedback for practical relevance."
Understanding the landscape of CE assessment tools is crucial for designers and businesses aiming to transition to more sustainable practices. This review highlights the strengths and weaknesses of existing frameworks, guiding the selection or development of more effective assessment methods.
What This Means for Your Design
There are many ways academics have tried to measure how 'circular' a company or product is, but they are all very different. The best ones consider not just the environment, but also the economy and society, and they are made with help from people who actually work in businesses.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this review when discussing the methodologies available for assessing circular economy principles in your design project, highlighting the need for comprehensive and practical tools.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research critically reviews 74 academic approaches for assessing circular economy principles at the micro-level, revealing a significant diversity in methodologies. It highlights that many existing tools lack a comprehensive integration of environmental, economic, and social sustainability dimensions. The review emphasizes the value of leveraging established assessment frameworks like Life Cycle Assessment and advocates for greater collaboration between academic researchers and industry practitioners to ensure the practical relevance and effectiveness of these tools in guiding design and business decisions towards circularity.
Source
Sustainability
A Critical Review of Academic Approaches, Methods and Tools to Assess Circular Economy at the Micro Level
journal · 2020
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about circular economy assessment tools: a critical review of 74 micro-level approaches?
- When designing or selecting tools to assess circular economy initiatives, prioritize those that are comprehensive, integrate social and economic aspects alongside environmental ones, and are developed with input from both researchers and industry practitioners. Evidence: Sustainability (2020).
- Why does "Circular Economy Assessment Tools: A Critical Review of 74 Micro-Level Approaches" matter for design?
- Understanding the landscape of CE assessment tools is crucial for designers and businesses aiming to transition to more sustainable practices. This review highlights the strengths and weaknesses of existing frameworks, guiding the selection or development of more effective assessment methods.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing or selecting tools to assess circular economy initiatives, prioritize those that are comprehensive, integrate social and economic aspects alongside environmental ones, and are developed with input from both researchers and industry practitioners.
- What were the main findings?
- High methodological diversity exists among CE assessment approaches.. Only 18 of the reviewed approaches explicitly integrate all three dimensions of Sustainable Development alongside the circular dimension.. Approximately 25% of the approaches utilize a participatory design methodology.. There is a call for CE assessment approaches to leverage existing methodologies like Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and foster closer collaboration between academia and practitioners.
- What research method was used?
- Systematic Literature Review and Critical Framework Analysis with 74 approaches.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2020 journal from Sustainability.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When embarking on a design project focused on circularity, researchers and designers should critically evaluate existing CE assessment tools, considering their methodological rigor, scope of sustainability dimensions covered, and the extent to which they incorporate practical user and industry feedback.
- What are the limitations?
- The review focuses on academic literature, potentially excluding industry-specific or proprietary assessment tools. The 'micro-level' definition might vary across studies.