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What are the BCome Circular Economy Indicators?

Introduction to BCome’s circular economy indicators

The Circular Economy Indicators (CEI) methodology focuses on the circular aspects of products. It is based on the Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) methodology of the Ellen MacArthur foundation. The calculation of the MCI is linked with a wide diversity of sub-indicators including the indicators that are evaluated in the analysis.

Feedstock indicators

Feedstock indicators indicate the proportion of virgin, sustained, recycled, and reused materials within the articles. Virgin raw material is defined as any material that has not been previously used or consumed or subjected to processing other than its original production. Based on the amount of sustained, recycled, and reused materials, the proportion of virgin raw material is extrapolated for each product.

  • Functional unit: kg
    • Article composition – Recycled
    • Article composition – Reused
    • Article composition – Sustained
    • Article composition – Virgin
Feedstock

End-of-life indicators

The end-of-life indicators are calculated to give an insight about the potential destination of the article when it will become a waste, after the consumer use phase. Based on these statements and on the declaration from the brand, end-of-life indicators are defined and calculated.

  • Functional unit: kg
    • End-of-life collection – Recycling
    • End-of-life collection – Reuse
    • End-of-life collection – Compost
    • End-of-life collection – Sust. Incineration
    • End-of-life collection – Landfill
Take-back program

Life cycle waste indicators

Life cycle waste indicators represent the amount of waste that is no longer recoverable and is landfilled or incinerated. They include the waste generated in the recycling of feedstocks used in the production, the waste generated by material losses in the value chain, the waste generated in the recycling process of the articles at their end-of-life, and the amount of waste article that will be finally landfilled or incinerated.

  • Functional unit: kg
    • Production waste – Cradle-to-gate
    • Recycling waste – Article
    • Total unrecoverable waste

Usage potential indicators

The utility indicators measure the best practices implemented by the brand that benefits the use phase of the product. The utility includes two components which are the length and the intensity.

  • Functional unit: Market average ratio
    • Intensity of use
    • Length of use
    • Utility

Overview indicators

The overview indicators give a more detailed understanding of the circularity of the products under analysis.

  • Functional unit: 0-1 score
    • Linear flow index
    • Material Circular Indicator

Do you want to check more about the CEI Product? Check out our Methodology