Smart Net-Zero

August 01, 2024 | Envirotec | 

Researchers from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have introduced a new tool called the Circularity Index (CI) to quantify circularity in bioeconomic systems. This index, detailed in their recent paper, measures circularity on a scale from 0 (completely linear) to 1 (completely circular), covering categories like take, make, distribute, use, dispose, recover, remake, and reuse.

The team applied the CI to two case studies: a corn-soybean farm in the U.S. and the entire U.S. food and agriculture system. They found that using manure instead of urea in the farm increased circularity (CI of 0.86 vs. 0.687). For the national system, the current CI is 0.179, but adopting the Environment-Enhancing Food Energy and Water System framework could boost it to 0.84 by improving waste recovery and recycling.

The CI offers a scalable method to evaluate and compare resource efficiency across various systems, from individual farms to global economies. It supports sustainability efforts and could aid in achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals by highlighting areas for improvement in circular economy practices.