Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Circular function deployment: a novel mathematical model to identify design factors for circular economy

  • Published:
Environment, Development and Sustainability Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The circular economy is applied in product design to address resource scarcity problems. Prior studies on circular economy associated with product design show a lag of interest in quantifying and assessing the product circularity score, which can support the product designer to identify the improvement opportunities. To address the gap, this study attempts to develop a circular function deployment method using 23 circularity metrics to compute product circularity score and identification of improvement opportunities. An empirical study by choosing a toothbrush as the case product is conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and practical applicability of the proposed method. The assessment of the current design shows that circularity metrics such as upgradability and adaptability, disassembly and reassembly, longevity, and biological cycle have to be addressed to improve the product circularity score. The design expert team’s knowledge has been utilized to develop a new design for toothbrush by addressing the critical metrics, which results in an incremental improvement to product circularity score for essential components from 0.583 to 1.136 without affecting the product functionality. The findings motivate the practitioners to explore the circular economy concepts in their product design to establish their market competitiveness.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bakker, C., Wang, F., Huisman, J., & Den Hollander, M. (2014). Products that go round: Exploring product life extension through design. Journal of Cleaner Production, 69, 10–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Battini, D., Faccio, M., Persona, A., & Sgarbossa, F. (2011). New methodological framework to improve productivity and ergonomics in assembly system design. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 41(1), 30–42.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bertanza, G., Canato, M., & Laera, G. (2018). Towards energy self-sufficiency and integral material recovery in waste water treatment plants: Assessment of upgrading options. Journal of Cleaner Production, 170, 1206–1218.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bertoni, M. (2019). Multi-criteria decision making for sustainability and value assessment in early PSS design. Sustainability, 11(7), 1952.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blinova, Y., & Potapov, V. (2018). Gas burners used for combustion of biomass-generated gas and gas-like waste. In: Journal of Physics: Conference Series (Vol. 1111, No. 1, p. 012032), IOP Publishing.

  • Blomsma, F., & Brennan, G. (2017). The emergence of circular economy: A new framing around prolonging resource productivity. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 21(3), 603–614.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blomsma, F., & Tennant, M. (2020). Circular economy: Preserving materials or products? Introducing the Resource States framework. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 156: 104698.

  • Bocken, N. M., De Pauw, I., Bakker, C., & van der Grinten, B. (2016). Product design and business model strategies for a circular economy. Journal of Industrial and Production Engineering, 33(5), 308–320.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borchardt, M., Wendt, M. H., Pereira, G. M., & Sellitto, M. A. (2011). Redesign of a component based on ecodesign practices: Environmental impact and cost reduction achievements. Journal of Cleaner Production, 19(1), 49–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bovea, M., & Pérez-Belis, V. (2012). A taxonomy of ecodesign tools for integrating environmental requirements into the product design process. Journal of Cleaner Production, 20(1), 61–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bravo, M., & De Brito, J. (2012). Concrete made with used tyre aggregate: Durability-related performance. Journal of Cleaner Production, 25, 42–50.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bressanelli, G., Perona, M., & Saccani, N. (2019). Challenges in supply chain redesign for the Circular Economy: A literature review and a multiple case study. International Journal of Production Research, 57(23), 7395–7422.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corona, B., Shen, L., Reike, D., Carreón, J. R., & Worrell, E. (2019). Towards sustainable development through the circular economy—A review and critical assessment on current circularity metrics. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 151: 104498.

  • Fargnoli, M., Costantino, F., Di Gravio, G., & Tronci, M. (2018). Product service-systems implementation: A customized framework to enhance sustainability and customer satisfaction. Journal of Cleaner Production, 188, 387–401.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fargonli, M., & Sakao, T. (2017). Uncovering differences and similarities among quality function deployment-based methods in Design for X: Benchmarking in different domains. Quality Engineering, 29(4), 690–712.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao, C., Song, K., & Fang, K. (2020). Pathways towards regional circular economy evaluated using material flow analysis and system dynamics. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 154: 104527.

  • Geda, M. W., Kwong, C. K., & Jiang, H. (2019). Fastening method selection with simultaneous consideration of product assembly and disassembly from a remanufacturing perspective. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 101(5–8), 1481–1493.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • George, D. A., Lin, B. C. A., & Chen, Y. (2015). A circular economy model of economic growth. Environmental Modelling & Software, 73, 60–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hagejärd, S., Ollár, A., Femenías, P., & Rahe, U. (2020). Designing for circularity—Addressing product design, consumption practices and resource flows in domestic kitchens. Sustainability, 12(3), 1006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haines-Gadd, M., Chapman, J., Lloyd, P., Mason, J., & Aliakseyeu, D. (2018). Emotional durability design nine—A tool for product longevity. Sustainability, 10(6), 1948.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Halog, A., Schultmann, F., and Rentz, O. (2001). Using quality function deployment for technique selection for optimum environmental performance improvement. Journal of Cleaner Production.

  • Heikkurinen, P., Young, C. W., & Morgan, E. (2019). Business for sustainable change: Extending eco-efficiency and eco-sufficiency strategies to consumers. Journal of Cleaner Production, 218, 656–664.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hollander Den, M. C., Bakker, C. A., & Hultink, E. J. (2017). Product design in a circular economy: Development of a typology of key concepts and terms. Journal of Industrial Ecology 21(3): 517–525.

  • Ishikawa, T., Xie, P., & Kurita, N. (2015). Topology optimization of rotor structure in permanent magnet synchronous motors considering ease of manufacturing. IEEJ Journal of Industry Applications, 4(4), 469–475.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jayakrishna, K., Vinodh, S., Sanghvi, V. S., & Deepika, C. (2016). Application of GRA for sustainable material selection and evaluation using LCA. Journal of The Institution of Engineers (India): Series C 97(3): 309–322.

  • Kausch, M. F., & Klosterhaus, S. (2016). Response to ‘Are Cradle to Cradle certified products environmentally preferable? Analysis from an LCA approach.’ Journal of Cleaner Production, 113, 715–716.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirchherr, J., Reike, D., & Hekkert, M. (2017). Conceptualizing the circular economy: An analysis of 114 definitions. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 127, 221–232.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kjaer, L. L., Pigosso, D. C., Niero, M., Bech, N. M., & McAloone, T. C. (2019). Product/service-systems for a circular economy: The route to decoupling economic growth from resource consumption? Journal of Industrial Ecology, 23(1), 22–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kristensen, H. S., & Mosgaard, M. A. (2020). A review of micro level indicators for a circular economy–moving away from the three dimensions of sustainability?. Journal of Cleaner Production 243: 118531.

  • Kumar, A., & Dixit, G. (2019). A novel hybrid MCDM framework for WEEE recycling partner evaluation on the basis of green competencies. Journal of Cleaner Production 241: 118017.

  • Lin, B. C. A. (2020). Sustainable growth: A circular economy perspective. Journal of Economic Issues, 54(2), 465–471.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loh, Y. R., Sujan, D., Rahman, M. E., & Das, C. A. (2013). Sugarcane bagasse—The future composite material: A literature review. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 75, 14–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mendoza, J. M. F., Sharmina, M., Gallego-Schmid, A., Heyes, G., & Azapagic, A. (2017). Integrating backcasting and eco-design for the circular economy: The BECE framework. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 21(3), 526–544.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, S. L., & Clark, M. (2019). Reconceptualising product life-cycle theory as stakeholder engagement with non-profit organisations. Journal of Marketing Management, 35(1–2), 13–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Molino, A., Chianese, S., & Musmarra, D. (2016). Biomass gasification technology: The state of the art overview. Journal of Energy Chemistry, 25(1), 10–25.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nascimento, D. L. M., Alencastro, V., Quelhas, O. L. G., Caiado, R. G. G., Garza-Reyes, J. A., Rocha-Lona, L., & Tortorella, G. (2019). Exploring Industry 4.0 technologies to enable circular economy practices in a manufacturing context. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management.

  • Ng, Y. G., Bahri, M. T. S., Syah, M. Y. I., Mori, I., & Hashim, Z. (2013). Ergonomics observation: Harvesting tasks at oil palm plantation. Journal of Occupational Health 55: 405–414.

  • Ng, K. S., & Hernandez, E. M. (2016). A systematic framework for energetic, environmental and economic (3E) assessment and design of polygeneration systems. Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 106, 1–25.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Niero, M., Olsen, S. I., & Laurent, A. (2018). Renewable Energy and Carbon Management in the Cradle-to-Cradle Certification: Limitations and Opportunities. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 22(4), 760–772.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nußholz, J. L. (2018). A circular business model mapping tool for creating value from prolonged product lifetime and closed material loops. Journal of Cleaner Production, 197, 185–194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ordoñez, I., & Rahe, U. (2013). Collaboration between design and waste management: Can it help close the material loop? Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 72, 108–117.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pan, S. Y., Du, M. A., Huang, I. T., Liu, I. H., Chang, E. E., & Chiang, P. C. (2015). Strategies on implementation of waste-to-energy (WTE) supply chain for circular economy system: A review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 108, 409–421.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Petit, G., Sablayrolles, C., & Yannou-Le Bris, G. (2018). Combining eco-social and environmental indicators to assess the sustainability performance of a food value chain: A case study. Journal of Cleaner Production, 191, 135–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Philips Full Annual Report (2019). Chapter 13 Sustainability Statements, (pp. 191–213).

  • Pieroni, M. P., McAloone, T. C., & Pigosso, D. C. (2019). Business model innovation for circular economy and sustainability: A review of approaches. Journal of Cleaner Production, 215, 198–216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polese, F., Vesci, M., Troisi, O., & Grimaldi, M. (2019). Reconceptualizing TQM in service ecosystems: An integrated framework. International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences.

  • Richa, K., Babbitt, C. W., & Gaustad, G. (2017). Eco-efficiency analysis of a lithium-ion battery waste hierarchy inspired by circular economy. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 21(3), 715–730.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richard, G. M., Mario, M., Javier, T., & Susana, T. (2011). Optimization of the recovery of plastics for recycling by density media separation cyclones. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 55(4), 472–482.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosa, P., Sassanelli, C., & Terzi, S. (2019). Circular business models versus circular benefits: An assessment in the waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipments sector. Journal of cleaner production.

  • Rousseau, Sandra. (2020). Millennials’ acceptance of product-service systems: Leasing smartphones in Flanders (Belgium). Journal of Cleaner Production 246: 118992.

  • Sassanelli, C., Rosa, P., Rocca, R., & Terzi, S. (2019). Circular economy performance assessment methods: A systematic literature review. Journal of Cleaner Production.

  • Schröder, P., Lemille, A., & Desmond, P. (2020). Making the circular economy work for human development. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 156: 104686.

  • Selvefors, A., Rexfelt, O., Renström, S., & Strömberg, H. (2019). Use to use–A user perspective on product circularity. Journal of Cleaner Production, 223, 1014–1028.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shama, M. S., Vinodh, S., & Jayakrishna, K. (2015). Integrated life cycle assessment and activity based life cycle costing approach for an automotive product. Scientia Iranica, 22, 1179–1188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singhal, D., Tripathy, S., & Jena, S. K. (2020). Remanufacturing for the circular economy: Study and evaluation of critical factors. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 156: 104681.

  • Song, W., & Sakao, T. (2018). An environmentally conscious PSS recommendation method based on users’ vague ratings: A rough multi-criteria approach. Journal of Cleaner Production, 172, 1592–1606.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stamminger, R., Tecchio, P., Ardente, F., Mathieux, F., & Niestrath, P. (2018). Towards a durability test for washing-machines. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 131, 206–215.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Subramanian, N., Gunasekaran, A., Wu, L., & Shen, T. (2019). Role of traditional Chinese philosophies and new product development under circular economy in private manufacturing enterprise performance. International Journal of Production Research, 57(23), 7219–7234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tam, E., Soulliere, K., & Sawyer-Beaulieu, S. (2019). Managing complex products to support the circular economy. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 145, 124–125.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tecchio, P., McAlister, C., Mathieux, F., & Ardente, F. (2017). In search of standards to support circularity in product policies: A systematic approach. Journal of Cleaner Production, 168, 1533–1546.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Theresia, A., & Novi, C. (2014). Designing ergonomic toothbrush, toothbrush refill, and toothbrush cap. In: 7th International Seminar on Industrial Engineering and Management. ISSN: 1978-774X.

  • Tseng, M. L., Chiu, A. S., Liu, G., & Jantaralolica, T. (2020). Circular economy enables sustainable consumption and production in multi-level supply chain system. Resources, Conservation and Recycling 154: 104601.

  • Tura, N., Hanski, J., Ahola, T., Ståhle, M., Piiparinen, S., & Valkokari, P. (2019). Unlocking circular business: A framework of barriers and drivers. Journal of Cleaner Production, 212, 90–98.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vieira, A. S., Weeber, M., & Ghisi, E. (2013). Self-cleaning filtration: A novel concept for rainwater harvesting systems. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 78, 67–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vinodh, S., & Rathod, G. (2010). Integration of ECQFD and LCA for sustainable product design. Journal of Cleaner Production, 18(8), 833–842.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vinodh, S., & Jayakrishna, K. (2014). Development of integrated ECQFD, LCA and sustainable analysis model. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology.

  • Wang, Y., Mendis, G. P., Peng, S., & Sutherland, J. W. (2019). Component-oriented reassembly in remanufacturing systems: Managing uncertainty and satisfying customer needs. Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering 141(2).

  • Whalen, K. A. (2019). Three circular business models that extend product value and their contribution to resource efficiency. Journal of Cleaner Production, 226, 1128–1137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whicher, A., Harris, C., Beverley, K., & Swiatek, P. (2018). Design for circular economy: Developing an action plan for Scotland. Journal of Cleaner Production, 172, 3237–3248.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, Y., Zhang, L., Yeh, C. H., & Liu, Y. (2018). Evaluating WEEE recycling innovation strategies with interacting sustainability-related criteria. Journal of Cleaner Production, 190, 618–629.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xue, D., Hua, G., Mehrad, V., & Gu, P. (2012). Optimal adaptable design for creating the changeable product based on changeable requirements considering the whole product life-cycle. Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 31(1), 59–68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yazdani, M., Hashemkhani Zolfani, S., & Zavadskas, E. K. (2016). New integration of MCDM methods and QFD in the selection of green suppliers. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 17(6), 1097–1113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yong, J. Y., Klemeš, J. J., Varbanov, P. S., & Huisingh, D. (2016). Cleaner energy for cleaner production: Modelling, simulation, optimisation and waste management. Journal of Cleaner Production, 111, 1–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, X., Zhang, S., Zhang, L., Xue, J., Sa, R., & Liu, H. (2019). Identification of product’s design characteristics for remanufacturing using failure modes feedback and quality function deployment. Journal of Cleaner Production, 239: 117967.

  • Zhong, S., & Pearce, J. M. (2018). Tightening the loop on the circular economy: Coupled distributed recycling and manufacturing with recyclebot and RepRap 3-D printing. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 128, 48–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Patna, Bihar, India

    K. E. K. Vimal

  2. Institute of Innovation and Circular Economy, Asia University, Taichung City, Taiwan

    Ming-Lang Tseng

  3. Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan

    Ming-Lang Tseng

  4. Faculty of Economic and Management, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia

    Ming-Lang Tseng

  5. School of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India

    Samanyu Raju, Mahesh Cherukuri, Amith Ashwithi & Jayakrishna Kandasamy

Authors
  1. K. E. K. Vimal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ming-Lang Tseng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Samanyu Raju
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mahesh Cherukuri
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Amith Ashwithi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jayakrishna Kandasamy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jayakrishna Kandasamy.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Vimal, K.E.K., Tseng, ML., Raju, S. et al. Circular function deployment: a novel mathematical model to identify design factors for circular economy. Environ Dev Sustain 24, 9068–9101 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-01813-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-01813-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation