Developing and Applying Circularity Indicators for the Electrical and Electronic Sector: A Product Lifecycle Approach

Jennifer Pollard, Mohamed Osmani, Christine Cole, Suzana Grubnic, James Colwill and Ana Isabel Díaz
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Jennifer Pollard: School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
Mohamed Osmani: School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
Christine Cole: School of Architecture, Building and Civil Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
Suzana Grubnic: School of Business and Economics, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
James Colwill: School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
Ana Isabel Díaz: GAIKER Technology Centre, Parque Tecnológico, Ed. 202, 48170 Zamudio, Spain

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 3, 1-20

Abstract: The adoption of circularity indicators in the electrical and electronic sector is understood to play a critical role in organisational decision making during the transition from a linear to a circular economy. Yet, it is widely recognised that there is no standardised method of measuring circularity performance. Additionally, the extent of literature uncovers a range of shortcomings of existing cross-sector circularity indicators, including a predominant focus on end-of-life, limited coverage of social measurements, a lack of sector specificity and limited capture of product functionality, durability or sharing. Furthermore, the current electrical and electronic sector-specific circularity indicators focus greatly on repair and recycling, failing to acknowledge the significant impact on circularity of the design and manufacturing, distribution and use phases. Therefore, this research set out to answer how electrical and electronic manufacturers can measure the circular economy performance of their products by developing and testing multidimensional circularity indicators for all products’ life cycle stages. To achieve this, a two-fold qualitative approach was adopted. Firstly, a stakeholders’ workshop aiming to generate, categorise and rate novel circularity indicators was held. Secondly, a focus group piloted the resulting workshop’s circularity indicators. The findings highlight key factors that influence circularity indicators’ applicability to electrical and electronic products, including product function, service arrangement, and customer type. The research has implications for electrical and electronic organisations seeking pathways to the circular economy by understanding, assessing, and measuring the circularity of their products.

Keywords: circularity indicators; electrical and electronic products; lifecycle phases; circular economy; circular economy business models (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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