Description
Book SynopsisLife cycle assessment (LCA) is an established methodology used to quantify the environmental impacts of products, processes and services. Circular economy (CE) thinking is conceptual way of considering the impacts of consuming resources. By taking a closed loop approach, CE provides a framework for influencing behaviours and practices to minimise this impact. Development of the circular economy is a crucial component in the progression towards future sustainability. This book provides a robust systematic approach to the circular economy concept, using the established methodology of LCA. Including chapters on circular economic thinking, the use of LCA as a metric and linking LCA to the wider circular economy, this book utilises case studies to illustrate the approaches to LCA. With contributions from researchers worldwide, Life Cycle Assessment provides a practical, global guide for those who wish to use LCA as a research tool or to inform policy, process, and product improvement.
Table of ContentsForeword; Introduction; The Circular Economy: Concept, Tools and Implementation; LCA as a metric for circular economy; Case study: Steel; Case study: Cement; Case study: manufacturing; Case study: plastics/sythetic fibre; Case study: textiles; Case study: emerging bio-based materials; Case study: paper/packaging; Case study: agricultural crop production; Case Study: livestock production; Case study: transport (fuel/biofuel); Case study: renewable energy; Linking LCA methodology to the wider circular economy
