Life Cycle Analysis, recycling issues, 2nd life and links to DPP

I had the privilege of spending time at the University of Bristol as part of my PhD research stay. Hosted at the Faculty of Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, I became part of a vibrant research environment where leading scholars are addressing pressing sustainability challenges, from electronic reuse to the development of next-generation vehicle batteries. The stay proved both academically and personally rewarding. Engaging with international researchers not only broadened my perspectives but also provided valuable input that has already enriched my ongoing PhD project at Aalborg University. Just as importantly, it offered a chance to present and discuss my own work with peers and faculty members, opening up new opportunities for collaboration and network building.

During the stay, I worked on how Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can support circular economy strategies by guiding decisions at the end of a product’s use phase. Today, circular strategies such as remanufacturing, refurbishment, and recycling are increasingly recognized as essential pathways for reducing environmental impacts. However, companies often face a fundamental challenge: making well-informed, environmentally sound decisions when products are returned. Should a component be reused in a second life? Should it be recycled? Or does remanufacturing offer the most sustainable path forward? This is where dynamic LCA data becomes crucial. Unlike static assessments, which often provide only a general snapshot, dynamic LCA data can be continuously updated to reflect actual conditions. For example, the environmental value of recycling a material can shift depending on the energy mix at a given time or the availability of cleaner processes. Similarly, reusing a component may deliver higher or lower benefits depending on how the product was used, maintained, and returned. By integrating such dynamic LCA insights, companies can make more accurate decisions that align with environmental goals.

Another key area I worked on during the stay was the role of Digital Product Passports (DPPs). DPPs are emerging as a crucial enabler of data-driven circular practices by storing and sharing product- and component-level information throughout the value chain. A DPP that embeds dynamic LCA data could, for example, allow a service provider to instantly evaluate whether a pump component should be refurbished, recycled, or reused. In this way, the combination of LCA and DPPs offers a pathway toward closing the gap between sustainability ambitions and real-world decision-making.

The Bristol stay was instrumental in advancing these ideas. Discussions with researchers working on electronics reuse and battery lifecycles provided fresh insights into how similar principles can be applied across sectors. More importantly, the experience reaffirmed that addressing circular economy challenges requires interdisciplinary collaboration, international perspectives, and strong networks, elements that this stay provided in abundance.

A three-month research stay at the University of Bristol has recently been completed as part of my PhD project at Aalborg University. The stay proved academically and personally rewarding, creating new perspectives, valuable discussions, and an inspiring international network.

The research carried out during the stay focused on how Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) can support circular economy strategies by informing end-of-use decisions, whether to recycle, remanufacture, or reuse components. Another key area of exploration was the role of Digital Product Passports (DPPs) in enabling data-driven circular practices. By embedding dynamic LCA data into DPPs, companies are better positioned to make accurate and environmentally sound decisions, bridging the gap between sustainability ambitions and practical implementation.

The collaboration with researchers at Bristol has been invaluable in advancing these ideas and in strengthening international ties that will continue to support future research on circular product systems.

Aalborg University – University of Bristol