Adopting the circular economy can drive significant cultural and organizational changes, providing important benefits such as cost improvement, innovation, new market opportunities, quality improvement, market acceptance, and legal compliance. This paper proposes a circular product development model for packaging to integrate circular economy principles into the traditional product development process. Firstly, a systematic literature review was made to identify relevant guidelines, strategies, practices, and initiatives related to circular economy and product development and understand how they could be integrated into the stages of the product development process. These circular practices, initiatives, and strategies were incorporated into the Rozenfeld model, creating a Circular Product Development Model proposed in this study (C-PDM). This model was tested through a case study in the packaging industry located in the Curitiba region—Brazil, identifying the opportunity to incorporate 18 circular practices into the product development process. The study concludes by highlighting the potential contribution of this model to the packaging market, particularly in supporting the circular development of products, thus aligning with the broader goals of sustainability and economic efficiency.

This study aimed to compare the environmental performance of plastic bags made of three different polymers, considering two product functions: carrying goods and packing municipal solid waste. The three polymers studied were HDPE, LDPE, and thermoplastic starch (TPS). Life cycle assessment and emergy accounting were used to evaluate the environmental performance of each scenario in analysis. To develop this research, eight scenarios were created to represent the customs of use and consumption in the Brazilian population. The LCA results showed that, in general, the scenarios with HDPE plastic bags presented the best environmental performances, while those with TPS presented the worst. The processes that contributed most to these results, representing 70% or more of the environmental impact in each impact category, are related to the use of raw materials, electricity, and water for the manufacture of plastic bags and the treatment in landfills. In other words, the fact that TPS has a mass around six times greater than that of HDPE and two times greater than that of LDPE ends up leaving this type of polymer with the worst environmental performance. In the comparative analysis of scenarios for the same polymer, scenarios that involve the use and reuse of plastic bags present the lowest potential environmental impacts. In contrast, those related to the use and disposal in landfills present the highest possible environmental impacts. The results of emergy accounting showed that the HDPE scenarios had the lowest total emergy flow, ranging from 1.77 × 1013 seJ to 2.40 × 1013 seJ. In contrast, the LDPE scenarios had the highest total emergy flow, ranging from 1.15 × 1014 to 1.21 × 1014 seJ. Although LDPE had the highest total emergy flow values, these results are similar to those obtained by the fossil resource scarcity impact category, which focuses on resource consumption analysis. Thus, through a real approach to the use of plastic bags and solid waste management in the Brazilian context, this study brings essential insights to direct public policies related to the consumption of plastic bags.

MATOPIBA is a Brazilian region with 73.2 million ha that has been facing a change in its land use due to agribusiness expansion over the last thirty years. The sustainability-related issues of this land use change raise doubts since it may result in advantages and/or disadvantages for social, economic and environmental aspects. This work assess the sustainability of MATOPIBA by means of a sustainability assessment procedure for operations and production processes (SUAPRO), covering the period 1990–2018 by including both the phases before and after agribusiness expansion. Expressed by the sector sustainability indicator (SSI) from SUAPRO, results show that MATOPIBA's sustainability macroeconomic and social (as the provider function) sectors are increasing along years, while environmental and social (as the receiver function) sectors are worsening. Focusing on MATOPIBA's overall sustainability, the sustainability synthetic indicator of system (SSIS) showed the worst performance for 2000 (4.71) and the best one for 2010 (3.63), while 1990 and 2018 obtained intermediary SSIS values of 4.17 and 4.51. The obtained pulsing behavior for SSIS does not support a conclusion about whether MATOPIBA's overall sustainability is increasing or even decreasing over time, claiming for future efforts to include additional data after 2018 year. Notwithstanding, there is a potential to achieve the maximized SSIS of 1.65 whether the identified actions for improvement were implemented. Besides providing subsidies for decision makers towards a more sustainable MATOPIBA, this work innovates by using nightlights satellite images as a proxy in obtaining data for modelling the SUAPRO.

Objetivando analisar o perfil ambiental de uma argamassa dosada em obra tradicional, bem como a contribuição de seus insumos em seu impacto total, empregou-se a metodologia da avaliação do ciclo de vida assistida por software. Os resultados denotaram que os aglomerantes imprimem maior impacto, corroborando com a literatura, bem como indicaram a expressividade do impacto de cada insumo, em separado, quando extrapolado para o cenário da produção anual de argamassas.

In Different from the linear economy, which traditionally considers any waste as garbage, the circular economy recognize waste as a valuable material potentially useful as a resource. This thinking is the main principle of the Circular Economy, a production model that attempts to counterbalance the traditional linear economy recommending a more sustainable model. Thus, we aim to evaluate the circularity, using Circular Economy Toolkit, Circular Economy Indicator Prototype, and Material Circularity Indicator and calculate the environmental impact through the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for a 1st Generation Photovoltaic Solar Panel (PSP) manufactured in Brazil. For applying the three CE tools and the LCA, the PSP composition was raised weighing the product parts. Besides this, we used a technical data sheet of the manufacturer to complement the data. In this context, a Brazilian scenario was elaborated in which all raw materials for the PSP assembly were virgin materials. For the PSP destination parts, 83% was recycled, and 17% was sent to landfills. The Circular Economy Toolkit results indicated a great potential for improvement in the preservation or repair, in the reform or remanufacturing, and in developing the product as a service. For the Circular Economy Indicator Prototype and Material Circularity Indicator, the circularity percentage obtained for each tool was 57.2% and 44.32%, respectively. Finally, the LCA has shown a positive environmental impact due to the generation of localized energy. This result is higher than the negative impact of the assembly and destination processes. In conclusion, LCA proved to be an essential technique to guide the actions toward a circular economy since the same product can simultaneously present excellent environmental performance results and a low degree of circularity. (C) 2022 L&H Scientific Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.

This paper aims to evaluate the life cycle impact and the circularity of face masks to support government public policies in extreme consumption of these products as in the case of the Covid-19. The reference case was the Brazilian context for using and consuming Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Two types of face masks were defined for analysis: handmade reusable face masks made with cotton fabric and single-use face masks made with nonwoven fabric. To achieve this goal, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) steps following ISO 14040 and the Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) by the Ellen Macarthur Foundation were applied. The results obtained show that the reuse of face masks has a better environmental performance over five uses. The comparative analysis between the ReCiPe 2016 and IMPACT World+ methods shows that the impact categories linked to human health are the most important in terms of environmental impact. Nevertheless, the trend toward improved environmental performance for the handmade reusable face mask has continued. The possibility of recycling shows that the reintegration of material after the use of the product could improve the environmental performance of both face masks. Finally, the reuse increases the circularity of cotton fabric masks compared to nonwoven fabric masks according to MCI. In this way, it is possible to observe that the handmade reusable face mask has a better environmental performance and a higher circularity than the single-use face mask. Thus, the results of the environmental performance and circularity of the face masks may support the decision of government agents to guide the public in the use of face masks, not only contributing to the protection of health against Covid-19, but also reducing the environmental impact of PPE. Furthermore, the methodological steps adopted in the study gives greater reliability in the conclusions obtained.

Abstract One of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) set out in this agenda, objective 11 is related to the search for more sustainable cities and communities. This study wishes to contribute in this effort, presenting a method application to evaluate the performance of light wood frame buildings in Brazil. The structure of the method used, named MEPLWF, is based on five dimensions, which involve criteria and sub-criteria that analyse technical, social, environmental and economic requirements to evaluate buildings. It allows the examination of the operating results of buildings and the discovery of performance-related problems. The proposed method was applied in a real case study in southern Brazil, during the pre-occupation phase of the building. As a result, the performance identified in the building was 94%, which is a high performance. The application of the method in this case study diagnosed points that should be reviewed by the construction company, such as items related to fire protection and safety, flexibility and adaptability of the building system, environmental plan, energy efficiency and Costs.

The evaluation of financial and environmental performance is important when it comes to supporting decision-making in production processes, regardless of the nature of the process, that is, regardless of whether the process is related to an industrial, commercial, service activity, among others.

Atualmente existe uma alta procura por produtos sustentáveis. Deste modo, é importante o desenvolvimento de novos produtos que atendam a essa demanda. Este trabalho propõe um copo descartável à base de mandioca, em substituição aos copos descartáveis tradicionais de base fóssil. As pesquisas com as biobases têm contribuído para o desenvolvimento de biopolímeros, porém estas não conseguem manter as características físico-mecânicas dos plásticos convencionais, gerando a necessidade de estudos nesta área. Desta forma, foi elaborada uma receita impermeável de modo a atender à função de produto do copo descartável. Para melhor embasamento da aceitação deste produto, foram realizadas pesquisas de análise de mercado através de entrevista usando o Google formulário, avaliação de risco, análise da concorrência comercial e das expectativas dos consumidores. Por fim, foram avaliados os processos industriais necessários para a confecção deste produto. Pôde-se concluir que o copo descartável à base de mandioca proposto atende à função de produto. Entretanto, há a necessidade de melhoria de produto visando a redução de custos, dado que o copo proposto possui um custo elevado se comparado aos copos fabricados a partir do petróleo.

3D printing is a technology that has come to revolutionize the way we relate to products. In addition, it also came to streamline production processes in organizations. With the growth of this technology, a great diversity of equipment, materials, components, software, and other inputs related to 3D printing has started to mirror the market in a significant way.

Brazil has a high co-processing potential and a large part of its Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is destined to landfills. Thus, in order to bring economic and environmental improvements to the city of Campo Largo, an analysis was performed in one of the recycling associations of the city to verify the possibility of sending waste to co-processing instead of landfills. The methodology was a study based on structured and participant observation. Information and data were collected in the association to be able to perform an analysis of the current situation. In the sequence, the possible cement industries were identified. From the information gathered in the previous stages, it was possible to elaborate a proposal with technical and economic feasibility for the city. The technical feasibility was confirmed by a report issued by a specialized company, and for the economic analysis, the gains were calculated as well as the necessary adaptations were proposed. The estimated annual gain for the city is around R$51,000 considering all 4 associations of the city.

This book presents the methodology of environmental and financial performance evaluation in 3D printing processes using the MFCA and LCA

Sustainability has been increasingly discussed by all areas of the industry. As a result, companies have begun to make efforts to apply sustainable practices in their operations. In the Brazilian business context, the personal hygiene, perfumery and cosmetics sector, which has 2.629 companies regulated by ANVISA has detached itself on the development and application of such practices. Thus, this study aimed to compare the sustainable practices of four companies with the largest representation of the sector in the Brazilian market—Unilever, Grupo Boticário, Avon and P&G—with a company reference on sustainability—Natura. To achieve this, social responsibility standards of ISO 26000 and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) were selected. The guidelines in the standard and the report served as a basis for the comparison between companies, resulting in a framework that represents the practices attended and not attended. Natura was highlighted in this study, with an average attendance of 90% of all criteria addressed, serving as the purpose of benchmarking. Besides, it was possible to conclude that the results of the four companies analyzed were positive. The average attendance of the practices of the companies was above 58%, showing the concern of these organizations concerning sustainable development.

Three-dimensional printing, commonly known as additive manufacturing, allows the manufacture of a wide range of products. Among various technologies, there is a highlight for fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology, which has the largest share of its parts. Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and polylactic acid (PLA) are the materials mostly used in 3D printing.

This book is structured around the assessment of financial and environmental performance in the 3D printing process. In this sense, this chapter's objective is to demonstrate the application of the methodology presented in the previous chapter through the use of a case study of printing a part with two different types of filaments.

Sustainable procurement has become Government targets to guarantee the principle of efficiency and sustainable development. Thus, this article aimed to change the procurement process of a Public Higher Education Institution (PHEI) in Brazil based on ISO 20400:2015. The study began by diagnosing the current procurement process of the PHEI. For this, two actions were made: to analyze the Institution procurement guide and to track 27 procurement processes. These actions aimed to map the procurement flow used by PHEI. The next phase was to analyze the sustainable procurement process proposed by ISO 20400:2015. In the final phase, it was proposed to change the procurement process, adding sustainable procurement parameters in PHEI. Thus, it was found that the current procurement process is bureaucratic, and it does not have clear criteria for sustainable procurement. Therefore, four main changes were proposed, namely: (i) to change the procurement process plan, in order to avoid rework and to ensure an adequate definition of purchase parameters, and to define pre-established sustainability criteria, so that minimum requirements exist; (ii) to include a sustainability analysis by procurement department, complementing the analysis carried out by the demandant unit; (iii) to structure an audit process to provide an indication of improvements; and (iv) to analyze the purchase databases to create a purchase routine for products and suppliers with good performance in sustainability. These actions enable PHEI procurement process to be adapted in pursuit of sustainability.

The growth of cities and the increase in population consumption has led to problems in waste management for municipalities. Therefore, the Brazilian Solid Waste Policy has established guidelines, strategies, goals, and actions that should be followed in order to reduce the environmental impacts generated by the incorrect management of solid waste within the cities, attributing the shared responsibility to all those involved in the process. Thus, this study aimed to propose a reverse logistics system of post-consumption lamps in the municipality of Irati, located in Paraná State, Brazil. For this, a survey of the situation was carried out, quantifying the discarded lamps in each neighborhood of the city, and a reverse logistics system was proposed for the city. The addition of new collection spots was studied in areas not covered by existing commercial locations. A shorter route was defined so that the truck could collect the lamps. And, finally, the cost of the proposed logistics system was estimated. The results obtained in this study indicate that it is possible to implement reverse logistics in the city, however, partnerships should be established in order to make the system financially viable.

A demanda mundial por água tem aumentado por diferentes razões, tais como mudanças nos padrões de consumo da população, e mesmo pelo aumento do ritmo de produção dos mercados. Além disso, a escassez hídrica vivida por muitos países, dentre eles o Brasil, faz ressaltar a necessidade de uso consciente e preservação do recurso água, seja pelas pessoas ou pelas empresas. Desta forma, o presente artigo teve como objetivo elaborar um plano de ação para a falta de tratamento dos efluentes gerados pelo processo de pré-impressão de bobinas de papel, realizado em uma grande empresa de embalagens em Curitiba. Conduzido pela metodologia Produção Mais Limpa (P+L), cumpriram-se seis etapas para chegar ao resultado final: realizar o plano de ação para a implementação da oportunidade de melhoria selecionada. Desta forma, após a execução do plano de ação, espera-se reutilizar 95% da água proveniente do efluente tratado e reduzir o consumo hídrico da fábrica em 2,45% por mês. Assim, pretende-se atingir nível 2 da metodologia Produção Mais Limpa, o que reduziria o impacto ambiental causado pelo efluente oriundo do processo de pré-impressão de bobinas de papel.