By Andi Anderson
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have introduced a Circularity Index (CI) to measure circularity in bioeconomic systems.
The CI, a new tool, provides a comprehensive way to assess sustainability in agriculture and beyond. Published in the journal Resources, Conservation, and Recycling, the study highlights how the CI can be used to create more sustainable production systems.
The Circularity Index measures circularity on a scale from 0 to 1, where zero represents a fully linear system, and one indicates a completely circular system. This tool evaluates eight categories: take, make, distribute, use, dispose, recover, remake, and reuse. Researchers input data into these categories to calculate the index.
“The traditional economic system is linear – we produce, distribute, use, and dispose of products. To increase sustainability, we need to develop a circular economy. Rather than just using natural resources, we must recover, reuse, and recycle waste materials,” said Yuanhui Zhang, Study Lead Author and Professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
The CI was tested in two case studies. The first focused on a corn-soybean farm in the Midwestern US, where researchers compared the effects of urea and manure fertilizers over eight years. The CI showed that manure had a higher circularity value (0.86) than urea (0.687), indicating a more sustainable approach.
In the second case study, the CI was applied to the entire US food and agriculture system. By comparing the current system with the Environment-Enhancing Food Energy and Water System (EE-FEWS) model, researchers found that the current system had a CI of 0.179, while the EE-FEWS approach could achieve a much higher circularity score of 0.84.
“Our current production system relies primarily on fossil fuel, with some use of solar and wind energy. But there is very little recovery of biowaste. If we recover food waste and manure and turn it into energy and fertilizer, we can recycle it back to the agricultural systems it originates from. Employing the EE-FEWS framework would greatly improve circularity of the US bioeconomy,” Zhang added.
The Circularity Index is versatile, applicable to various resources and scales, from individual farms to national economies. It offers a clear baseline for comparing systems, identifying weak links, and optimizing strategies for sustainable development.
The CI could play a key role in supporting policy initiatives, including the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and it has commercial potential for businesses to highlight their sustainability efforts.
Photo Credit: depositphotos-simazoran
Categories: Illinois, Sustainable Agriculture