Circularity at Nano Level: A Product/Service Perspective

Abstract Implementation of the CE principles at the grass-root level requires closing the loop of products’ life cycles, one that warrants extensive rework at every stage of the life cycle from design to end-of-life. Therefore, the circularity assessment of products/services for their entire life cycle becomes critical. In this work, we present the circularity assessment of products/services (considered as the nano level in the economic hierarchy) unlike the prior art and provide a comprehensive metric required for this assessment. The chapter begins with a brief explanation of the need for such an evaluation. Then, continues with a discussion on the state-of-the-art assessment of a product along with a list of various indicators that have been implemented in the circularity measurements at the nano level. This theoretical background is complemented with real-world case studies of Levi’s jeans and surgical face masks for a better understanding of the concept. Then, the concept of materials utilization efficiency, a key factor in conceiving and designing circular products/services, is presented as a logical conclusion to the chapter.