Circular Economy

research

The fourth research program of the Chair aims to enable a more sustainable use of resources through an improved (re)circulation of matter in the economy.

Our three-pronged approach will not only combine LCA with other tools and perspectives, but it will also contribute substantial methodological improvements to LCA in terms of its treatment of matter, and relate these mass flows to absolute resource availability.

RESEARCH THEMES

  • Offer technology-specific guidance while taking into account economy-wide trends in the analysis of potential circularity initiatives at various scales (industry, locality, globally), a novel, integrated modelling framework will be developed. This framework will bring together the strengths of LCA, material flow analysis (MFA), environmentally extended input-output analysis (EEIO), and operations research.
  • Characterize the different types of resources and qualify the sustainability of their use, advanced circularity and resources indicators will be devised. These indicators will reflect with maximum clarity and coherence the different stakeholder perspectives on the question of resources, and will be contrasted with current criticality, circularity, and resource depletion indicator
  • Analyze logistical obstacles to independent (local or industry-specific) circularity initiatives, and what mechanisms can be put in place to overcome these obstacles and reach a higher system-wide levels of circularity.

OUR TEAM

Leads in Circular Economy

Students in Circular Economy

KEY PROJECTS

Circular Economy: A Critical Literature Review of Concepts

Le CIRAIG publie son livre blanc intitulé “Circular Economy: A Critical Literature Review of Concepts” (Économie circulaire : une revue critique des concepts). Préparé pour le groupe de travail sur l’économie circulaire de la Chaire internationale sur le cycle de vie du CIRAIG regroupant ArcelorMittal, Bombardier Aéronautique, LVMH, Michelin, le Mouvement des caisses Desjardins, Nestlé, RECYC-QUÉBEC, Solvay, Total, Umicore et Veolia, ce livre blanc se veut un guide stratégique et critique à la compréhension des concepts à la base de l’économie circulaire.

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PUBLICATIONS

Scientific Publications on Circular Economy

Books on Circular Economy

Theses and dissertations on Circular Economy

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A research group and center of expertise on sustainability and life cycle thinking, based at Polytechnique Montreal and ESG UQAM

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