Quantifying Circular Bioeconomy: New Index Developed by Researchers
As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change and the need to sustainably support a growing population, there is a growing emphasis on creating circular economies for more sustainable production. The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers have developed a Circularity Index to measure how circular bioeconomic systems are. This index ranges from 0 to 1, with 0 representing a linear system and 1 representing a completely circular system.
The Circularity Index evaluates eight categories including take, make, distribute, use, dispose, recover, remake, and reuse to determine the circularity of a system. By applying this index to two case studies – a corn/soybean farming operation and the U.S. food and agriculture system – the researchers found that incorporating circular practices leads to higher circularity scores.
For example, in the case of nitrogen cycling in a corn-soybean farm, using manure as a fertilizer resulted in a higher circularity score compared to urea fertilizer. Additionally, by implementing an Environment-Enhancing Food Energy and Water System framework in the U.S. food and agriculture system, the circularity score significantly increased.
The Circularity Index is a versatile tool that can be applied to different types of resources and systems to measure circularity. It provides a clear way to assess the sustainability of production methods and identify areas for improvement. This index can also support policy initiatives and potentially add commercial value for businesses looking to showcase their commitment to circular production practices.
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Michael Thompson earned his degree in Agricultural Engineering from Purdue University in the USA, specializing in precision agriculture and smart farming technologies. His work revolves around the development of automated systems that increase farm efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Michael is now a senior engineer at a leading agri-tech company, where he designs innovative solutions for modern agriculture.