Generating Design Improvements Using Circularity Indicators : A case study on how to measure, increase and evaluate the circularity of a fully automated coffee machine

This thesis presents how circularity indicators successfully can be used to generate concrete design improvements for commercial machines with the aim of making them better adapted to the Circular Economy. By using a methodology based on workshops, assessment of circular maturity from BS8001:2017- Framework for implementing the principles of the circular economy in organizations – guide, and use of the circularity indicator Circularity Measurement Toolkit (CMT) a fully automated coffee machine became 4 percent improved in the circular performance and an 80 percent landfill waste reduction was achieved. As Circular Economy is becoming more accepted as the idea of moving forward towards a more sustainable future, topics on how to measure circularity for organizations and products are increasing. Apart from using circularity indicators together with ecodesign strategies in a case for the first time, this thesis also investigates how a circular transition of a manufacturing company can be communicated to stakeholders. With a slight modification of the circularity indicator CMT, the assessment provided a percentage on how circular a fully automated coffee machine is. Identified hotspots in the CMT, matched with areas with improvement potential at the case company, results in three concepts of improvement suggestions. The three concepts are: (1) a modular front to the machine to enable remanufacturing/recycling of the front, presents the option of changing the look of the machine without buying a new one, and lowers the amount of landfill waste, (2) The identity of Luna the barista is integrated into the interface of the coffee machine for emotional durability, and (3) suggestions of how a company can communicate their circular transition through sustainability reports are presented. Both the methodology, the use of circularity indicators to generate design suggestions, and the general idea of concepts are believed to be applicable to any commercial machine in order to improve the circular performance.