Material footprint

Kathrin Greiff, Benedikt Verkic, Berfin Bayram and Wiebke Hagedorn

Chapter 111 in Elgar Encyclopedia of Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment, 2026, pp 410-413 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: The Material Footprint (MF) is a systematic approach to analyze a system in terms of its resource use and efficiency. The MF serves as a tool for identifying opportunities to reduce material consumption and waste generation, which can be used by policymakers, businesses, and researchers to develop effective policies and make informed decisions. It is especially used at micro and macro levels. The underlying approach is basically the same, but the definitions differ in detail. Bottom-up approaches such as Material Input per Service Unit and Life Cycle Assessment can be used to calculate the micro level, and material flow analysis or multi-regional input–output models are used to calculate the macro level. Combined with other environmental indicators, a reliable statement can be made for sustainable resource management and circular economy strategies.

Keywords: Material Footprint; SDG 12; Material Input per Service Unit (MIPS); Circular Economy; Resource Consumption; Indicator (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035309887
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