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Title: A quantitative and holistic circular economy assessment framework at the micro level

Journal Article · · Computers and Chemical Engineering
 [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Texas A & M University, College Station, TX (United States); OSTI
  2. Texas A & M University, College Station, TX (United States)
  3. University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States)

Circular Economy (CE) aims to solve resource, waste, and emission challenges by creating a production-to-consumption supply chain that is restorative and environmentally benign. A variety of metrics has been developed with the focus mainly on the macro and meso levels. This work introduces a micro level CE assessment framework that provides i) a set of indicators and metrics with sector-specific dimensions, ii) quantitative and holistic CE overall and category-based metrics, iii) media for data visualization and analysis of CE indicators, and iv) an analytical tool to assess multi-national businesses and the multi-scale and interconnected CE supply chains. Using this quantitative tool, companies are able to track their transition towards CE, conduct temporal analysis, and benchmark their performance against their peers and industry’s standards. The applicability and the capabilities of the developed CE assessment framework is demonstrated through three case studies, with the results demonstrating a clear trend towards circularity.

Research Organization:
American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), New York, NY (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
National Science Foundation (NSF); Texas A&M Energy Institute; Texas A&M University; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE); University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Grant/Contract Number:
EE0007613; EE0007888
OSTI ID:
1977013
Journal Information:
Computers and Chemical Engineering, Journal Name: Computers and Chemical Engineering Journal Issue: C Vol. 160; ISSN 0098-1354
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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