Waste circularity analysis

Waste circularity analysis evaluates the extent to which material flows are kept in closed loops instead of being lost after a single use. Unlike traditional recycling rates, it also factors in durability, reuse and the value retained at each cycle, with the goal of maximising the value recovered from materials and minimising demand for virgin resources.

Most common methodologies

The Material Circularity Indicator (MCI), developed by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, scores a product or company between 0 (fully linear) and 1 (fully circular) based on recycled and reused content, product lifetime and intensity of use.

A complementary approach is Material Flow Analysis (MFA), which tracks mass flows of materials at a macro level, for example across a region or a value chain. At the standards level, ISO 59020:2024 (part of the new ISO 59000 circular economy family, alongside the foundational ISO 59004:2024) sets out how to measure and assess circularity performance so that results are consistent and comparable.

The assessment process

The system boundary is defined first, for example a plant, a supply chain or a region. Input and output data are then collected over a representative period, typically one year. Using spreadsheets or Life Cycle Assessment software, analysts calculate the share of material that is recirculated, the losses, and the associated economic value. The result can be expressed as an MCI score or as a broader circularity index.

Results and decision-making

Circularity indicators help prioritise investment. If the analysis shows that most material losses occur at the sorting stage, it can justify installing near-infrared (NIR) optical sorters or improving separate collection. Linking circularity scores to the recycling rate and to energy recovery figures gives a fuller picture of where value is created or lost.

Challenges and solutions

The main obstacle is the lack of homogeneous, reliable data. Digitalising records, including through traceability systems, and sharing sector-level databases both help close the data gap and make results more robust. Standardised reporting under ISO 59020 reduces the risk of figures that cannot be compared between organisations.

A view for turning linear systems into circular ones

Waste circularity analysis provides a quantitative basis for transforming linear systems into circular ones. Adopting it lets organisations identify bottlenecks and measure the real impact of their circular economy strategies. At Manglai we help companies measure their environmental impact and build credible circularity and decarbonisation strategies. Discover how Manglai can help you.