Comparative analysis of life cycle assessment and material circularity indicator: study applied to smart electricity meter polycarbonate parts

Abstract

There is growing interest in metrics for developing circular and sustainable products. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) are prominent for analyzing environmental performance and product circularity, respectively. This study compares these methodologies applied to a case of plastic parts made from virgin Polycarbonate + 10% Fiber Glass for smart electricity meters. Sensitivity analyses were conducted on the recycled content used and the final treatment of parts. Both methodologies are sensitive to recycled content usage. The best scenario (SA1-10) features 100% recycled content and full recycling of parts, while the worst scenario (SA2-1) uses 100% virgin content with all parts disposed of in landfills. The results highlight similarities and differences between the methodologies. MCI focuses on material source, life extension, and end-of-life treatment to measure circularity. LCA covers a broader range of impact categories, including resource use, human health, and ecosystem impacts, making it more comprehensive for environmental analysis. Both emphasize the importance of recycled content and end-of-life treatment, underscoring the benefits of recycling in reducing environmental impacts and enhancing circularity.