The Frontiers in Life Cycle Assessment Considering Materials Circularity

Abstract

The accelerating global transition towards a circular economy necessitates a fundamental rethinking of how we assess environmental impacts, particularly through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Traditional LCA frameworks are largely linear, assessing the environmental burdens of products from cradle to grave. However, in an era where circularity is a policy goal and industrial practice, there is a growing need to reformulate LCA to effectively capture closed-loop systems, multiple product life cycles, and dynamic material flows. This opinion paper outlines the critical frontiers in LCA research and practice needed to address materials circularity, highlighting methodological innovations, integration challenges, and the role of digital technologies in enabling circular thinking within life cycle frameworks. The paper is based on peer-reviewed studies from four academic databases, using the keywords: “Life Cycle Assessment”, “Circular Economy”, “food valorization”, “food loss”, and “food waste”. Findings reveal that while several circularity indicators have emerged, traditional LCA often fails to account for avoided emissions, particularly in perishable goods.

Keywords

life cycle assessment / materials circularity / digital technologies / circular economy / environmental indicators / sustainability assessment / resource efficiency / reuse and repurposing

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