Integrating circularity into Life Cycle Assessment: Circularity with a life cycle perspective

Abstract

With the current efforts on striving towards sustainable development both Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and circularity have become extremely popular, worldwide. Both are addressing sustainability aspects, yet typically applied separately. LCA counts with dedicated tools and databases, while circularity is commonly calculated with simple tools or even just formulas in excel, ignoring the supply chain. This paper presents a combination of LCA and circularity. The Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) and the Circularity Index (CI) are incorporated into openLCA, and the LCA database Ecoinvent is adapted to trace circularity throughout. This allows to track circularity variables across supply chains and apply circularity indicators in LCA models. Results show that the LCA database mostly presents linear systems, with most datasets having a circularity values close to full linearity. Furthermore, investigations over the cradle-to-grave datasets of a Lithium-ion battery show that the amount of virgin material extracted from earth is actually 43 times bigger than the weight of the battery, and that the overall waste produced is 92 times the weight of the battery. Such high values are overlooked in common circularity indicator calculations. This comprehensive framework aims to contribute to the ongoing dialogue surrounding sustainable practices and circular economy integration within LCA.