IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/bla/inecol/v25y2021i4p864-876.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Does increased circularity lead to environmental sustainability?: The case of washing machine reuse in Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Sandra Boldoczki
  • Andrea Thorenz
  • Axel Tuma

Abstract

This study investigates under which circumstances increases in circularity through the reuse of use‐phase‐intensive electrical and electronic equipment lead to environmental benefits. We combine dynamic material flow analysis (dMFA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) to assess a Circular Economy strategy toward its environmental sustainability on midpoint and endpoint levels. The hybrid approach measures long‐term implications of policy decisions in multiple impact categories and shows the need to comprehensively evaluate Circular Economy activities. We apply the approach to the strategy of setting reuse targets in a case study on washing machines in Germany. As a consequence of a reuse target, the product portfolio changes over time. The resulting stocks and flows are calculated in a dMFA, and attributed with the respective LCA‐based environmental impacts. We present cumulated impacts between 2015 and 2050 for scenarios with different reuse targets for 18 midpoints and three endpoints of the impact assessment method ReCiPe 2016, and the cumulative energy demand. The latest proposal of a 5% reuse target results in average impact reductions of 1% compared to “business as usual.” An increase of reuse up to 87% results in an average impact reduction of 9%, ranging from an increase of 1% (water consumption) to a decrease up to 26% (land use). This shows that even high reuse rates only have a limited leverage on reducing environmental impacts and that it is therefore necessary to include detailed environmental assessments in a holistic evaluation of Circular Economy activities. This article met the requirements for a gold‐gold JIE data openness badge described at http://jie.click/badges.

Suggested Citation

  • Sandra Boldoczki & Andrea Thorenz & Axel Tuma, 2021. "Does increased circularity lead to environmental sustainability?: The case of washing machine reuse in Germany," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(4), pages 864-876, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:25:y:2021:i:4:p:864-876
    DOI: 10.1111/jiec.13104
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/jiec.13104
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1111/jiec.13104?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sevigné-Itoiz, Eva & Gasol, Carles M. & Rieradevall, Joan & Gabarrell, Xavier, 2014. "Environmental consequences of recycling aluminum old scrap in a global market," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 94-103.
    2. Rincón, Lídia & Castell, Albert & Pérez, Gabriel & Solé, Cristian & Boer, Dieter & Cabeza, Luisa F., 2013. "Evaluation of the environmental impact of experimental buildings with different constructive systems using Material Flow Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 544-552.
    3. Shumail Mazahir & Vedat Verter & Tamer Boyaci & Luk N. Van Wassenhove, 2019. "Did Europe Move in the Right Direction on E‐waste Legislation?," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 28(1), pages 121-139, January.
    4. Trevor Zink & Roland Geyer, 2017. "Circular Economy Rebound," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 21(3), pages 593-602, June.
    5. Hanna Helander & Anna Petit‐Boix & Sina Leipold & Stefan Bringezu, 2019. "How to monitor environmental pressures of a circular economy: An assessment of indicators," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 23(5), pages 1278-1291, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Sourabh Jain & Jury Gualandris, 2023. "When does upcycling mitigate climate change? The case of wet spent grains and fruit and vegetable residues in Canada," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(2), pages 522-534, April.
    2. Koide, R. & Murakami, S. & Nansai, K., 2022. "Prioritising low-risk and high-potential circular economy strategies for decarbonisation: A meta-analysis on consumer-oriented product-service systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    3. Josh Lepawsky & Kathia Cáceres & Marco Gusukuma & Ramzy Kahhat, 2023. "Carbon and water conservation value of independent, place‐based repair in Lima, Peru," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(3), pages 896-907, June.
    4. Haitao Yu & Pratima Bansal & Diane-Laure Arjaliès, 2023. "International business is contributing to environmental crises," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 54(6), pages 1151-1169, August.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Sina Leipold & Anna Petit‐Boix & Anran Luo & Hanna Helander & Machteld Simoens & Weslynne S. Ashton & Callie W. Babbitt & Alba Bala & Catharina R. Bening & Morten Birkved & Fenna Blomsma & Casper Boks, 2023. "Lessons, narratives, and research directions for a sustainable circular economy," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 27(1), pages 6-18, February.
    2. Jack Barrie & Patrick Schröder, 2022. "Circular Economy and International Trade: a Systematic Literature Review," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 2(2), pages 447-471, June.
    3. Lopes Silva, Diogo Aparecido & de Oliveira, José Augusto & Saavedra, Yovana M.B. & Ometto, Aldo Roberto & Rieradevall i Pons, Joan & Gabarrell Durany, Xavier, 2015. "Combined MFA and LCA approach to evaluate the metabolism of service polygons: A case study on a university campus," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 157-168.
    4. Etienne Lorang & Antonello Lobianco & Philippe Delacote, 2023. "Increasing Paper and Cardboard Recycling: Impacts on the Forest Sector and Carbon Emissions," Post-Print hal-03832461, HAL.
    5. Monia Niero & Charlotte L. Jensen & Chiara Farné Fratini & Jens Dorland & Michael S. Jørgensen & Susse Georg, 2021. "Is life cycle assessment enough to address unintended side effects from Circular Economy initiatives?," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(5), pages 1111-1120, October.
    6. Myrto Kasioumi & Thanasis Stengos, 2023. "A Circular Model of Economic Growth and Waste Recycling," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(1), pages 321-346, March.
    7. Asuncion Arner Guerre, 2022. "The Extended Producer Responsibility for Waste Oils," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 12(2), pages 210-217, March.
    8. Millar, Neal & McLaughlin, Eoin & Börger, Tobias, 2019. "The Circular Economy: Swings and Roundabouts?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 11-19.
    9. Katarzyna Pactwa & Justyna Woźniak & Michał Dudek, 2020. "Sustainable Social and Environmental Evaluation of Post-Industrial Facilities in a Closed Loop Perspective in Coal-Mining Areas in Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-16, December.
    10. Claudia Aparecida De Mattos & Thiago Lourenço Meira De Albuquerque, 2018. "Enabling Factors and Strategies for the Transition Toward a Circular Economy (CE)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-18, December.
    11. Zhang, Abraham & Wang, Jason X. & Farooque, Muhammad & Wang, Yulan & Choi, Tsan-Ming, 2021. "Multi-dimensional circular supply chain management: A comparative review of the state-of-the-art practices and research," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    12. Jan Streeck & Quirin Dammerer & Dominik Wiedenhofer & Fridolin Krausmann, 2021. "The role of socio‐economic material stocks for natural resource use in the United States of America from 1870 to 2100," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 25(6), pages 1486-1502, December.
    13. Rachel Greer & Timo Wirth & Derk Loorbach, 2023. "The Circular Decision-Making Tree: an Operational Framework," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 3(2), pages 693-718, June.
    14. Ole Øiene Smedegård & Thomas Jonsson & Bjørn Aas & Jørn Stene & Laurent Georges & Salvatore Carlucci, 2021. "The Implementation of Multiple Linear Regression for Swimming Pool Facilities: Case Study at Jøa, Norway," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-24, August.
    15. Norasikin Ahmad Ludin & Nurfarhana Alyssa Ahmad Affandi & Kathleen Purvis-Roberts & Azah Ahmad & Mohd Adib Ibrahim & Kamaruzzaman Sopian & Sufian Jusoh, 2021. "Environmental Impact and Levelised Cost of Energy Analysis of Solar Photovoltaic Systems in Selected Asia Pacific Region: A Cradle-to-Grave Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-21, January.
    16. Leonidas Milios, 2021. "Towards a Circular Economy Taxation Framework: Expectations and Challenges of Implementation," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 1(2), pages 477-498, September.
    17. G. Perkoulidis & A. Malamakis & G. Banias & N. Moussiopoulos, 2022. "Development of a Methodological Framework for the Evaluation of the Material and Energy Recovery Potential of Municipal Solid Waste Management: Implementation in Five Greek Regions," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 2(1), pages 313-326, March.
    18. Morvarid Rahmani & Luyi Gui & Atalay Atasu, 2021. "The Implications of Recycling Technology Choice on Extended Producer Responsibility," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 30(2), pages 522-542, February.
    19. Mariana Oliveira & Mécia Miguel & Sven Kevin Langen & Amos Ncube & Amalia Zucaro & Gabriella Fiorentino & Renato Passaro & Remo Santagata & Nick Coleman & Benjamin H. Lowe & Sergio Ulgiati & Andrea Ge, 2021. "Circular Economy and the Transition to a Sustainable Society: Integrated Assessment Methods for a New Paradigm," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 1(1), pages 99-113, June.
    20. Hans Eickhoff, 2024. "The appeal of the circular economy revisited: on track for transformative change or enabler of moral licensing?," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-8, December.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:25:y:2021:i:4:p:864-876. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/journal.asp?ref=1088-1980 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.