Challenges when evaluating Product/Service-Systems through Life Cycle Assessment

Abstract

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Design of indicators for measuring product performance in the circular economy

“…Materials used should be free of toxic chemicals, designed for easy disassembly and capable of being recycled or composted. Kjaer et al (2016) discuss the various complexities involved with measuring the intangible effects of product innovation including behavioural change. They propose a range of tools, including (extended) life cycle assessment, system dynamics and simulation tools.…”

“…Wider systemic considerations (Webster 2013) such as behavioural change (Kjaer et al 2016) provide a further avenue to explore. Bath (UK) where he developed an interest for the Circular Economy topic that lead him to a dissertation and journal publications about product circularity assessment.…”

Product/Service‐Systems for a Circular Economy: The Route to Decoupling Economic Growth from Resource Consumption?

“…For these cases, ensuring that more resource intensive systems are substituted can be challenging, since the provider usually has no or limited control over which users decide to use the system (Kjaer et al. ). Result‐oriented : the PSS provider has—in principle—the greatest control over the resources required to fulfill the user's need, which enables shifting the products and technologies used to deliver the result.…”

“…; Kjaer et al. ; Tukker and Tischner ). In addition, strategies aiming at resource reduction do not automatically lead to an enhanced sustainability performance (Bilitewski ; Andersen ).…”

The Long Road to a Circular Economy

“…Biological materials should as far as possible be cascaded (i.e., recycled) before they are used for extraction of biochemical feedstock, anaerobic digestion (biogas production), and finally soil amendment. Products containing technical materials should as far as possible be extended in life time (e.g., sharing in product service systems [Kjaer et al ], repairing), reused and redistributed, refurbished and remanufactured, or as a final solution separated and the materials recycled (EM Foundation ). The Ellen McArthur Foundation and C2C Framework include as a main principle the belief that renewable energy resources are a necessity.…”