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A Complex Circular-Economy Quality Indicator for Assessing Production Systems at the Micro Level

Author

Listed:
  • Zygmunt Kowalski

    (Mineral and Energy Economy Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-261 Cracow, Poland)

  • Joanna Kulczycka

    (Faculty of Management, AGH University of Science and Technology, 30-067 Cracow, Poland)

  • Marcin Banach

    (Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, 31-155 Cracow, Poland)

  • Agnieszka Makara

    (Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Cracow University of Technology, 31-155 Cracow, Poland)

Abstract

Measuring circular-economy progress requires indicators to examine the implementation of management systems. A complex quality indicator for assessing production systems at the circular-economy micro level was proposed. One innovative aspect of this evaluation of quality indicators is the classification of a set of sixty selected options divided into four core groups (technical, environmental, economic, and social). The second one is the use of a trimmed-mean method to summarize the individual options score into core groups and complex circular-economy indicators of analyzed production systems. The individual options were weighed according to indices defined by the professional team. Here is presented a case study of the use of developed complex quality indicators, including a comparison of two sodium tripolyphosphate production processes. The calculated indicator of the new method was higher, at 204.8%, than the indicator of the old method. This confirms the significant advantage of the new technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Zygmunt Kowalski & Joanna Kulczycka & Marcin Banach & Agnieszka Makara, 2023. "A Complex Circular-Economy Quality Indicator for Assessing Production Systems at the Micro Level," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:18:p:13495-:d:1236107
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Susana Garrido Azevedo & Radu Godina & João Carlos de Oliveira Matias, 2017. "Proposal of a Sustainable Circular Index for Manufacturing Companies," Resources, MDPI, vol. 6(4), pages 1-24, November.
    2. Kirchherr, Julian & Reike, Denise & Hekkert, Marko, 2017. "Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 221-232.
    3. Oana-Adriana Crișan & Corina Bîrleanu & Horea-George Crișan & Marius Pustan & Violeta Merie & Florina Șerdean, 2021. "Eco-Innovation Analyses in the Management of Drinking Water Provided by the Main Suppliers in Romania," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-23, June.
    4. Zygmunt Kowalski & Joanna Kulczycka & Agnieszka Makara & Roland Verhé & Guy De Clercq, 2022. "Assessment of Energy Recovery from Municipal Waste Management Systems Using Circular Economy Quality Indicators," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-22, November.
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