Circular Economy Calculator Formula

Understand the math behind the circular economy calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.

Use the Circular Economy Calculator

Formulas Used

Circularity Score

score = circularity_score

Virgin Material Used

virgin_used = virgin_material

Waste to Landfill

landfill_waste = waste_to_landfill

Material Productivity

material_productivity = product_lifespan_factor / (1 - recycled_input_pct / 100)

Variables

VariableDescriptionDefault
total_materials_tonsTotal Materials Used(metric tons)100
recycled_input_pctRecycled Input %(%)30
waste_recycled_pctWaste Recycled %(%)50
product_lifespan_factorLifespan Extension Factor(x)1.5
circularity_scoreDerived value= (recycled_input_pct + waste_recycled_pct) / 2 * product_lifespan_factor / 1.5calculated
virgin_materialDerived value= total_materials_tons * (1 - recycled_input_pct / 100)calculated
waste_to_landfillDerived value= total_materials_tons * (1 - waste_recycled_pct / 100)calculated

How It Works

How to Calculate Circular Economy Score

The circular economy aims to eliminate waste by keeping materials in use as long as possible.

Formula

Circularity Score = (Recycled Input % + Waste Recycled %) / 2 * Lifespan Factor / 1.5

Principles

1. Design out waste: Products designed for disassembly and reuse 2. Keep products in use: Repair, refurbish, remanufacture 3. Regenerate natural systems: Return nutrients to soil

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates transitioning to circular economy could reduce global CO2 by 45%.

Worked Example

A company using 100 tons materials, 30% recycled input, 50% waste recycled, 1.5x lifespan.

total_materials_tons = 100recycled_input_pct = 30waste_recycled_pct = 50product_lifespan_factor = 1.5
  1. 01Circularity score: (30 + 50) / 2 * 1.5 / 1.5 = 40
  2. 02Virgin material: 100 * (1 - 0.30) = 70 tons
  3. 03Waste to landfill: 100 * (1 - 0.50) = 50 tons
  4. 04Material productivity: 1.5 / 0.70 = 2.14x

Ready to run the numbers?

Open Circular Economy Calculator