Closing the Loops of Fast Moving Consumer Goods
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Design Engineering (Dyson School)
Abstract
The Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCGs) sector aspires to transition to a Circular Economy (CE) but there is a lack of knowledge and support methods. This research has investigated how material resources flow in FMCG systems and developed new design support for the sector. Initially, we focused on the moment when resources become obsolete which can disrupt flows. Consumers were found to have critical roles to ensure resource revalorisation and the findings of this study can inform the design of future revalorisation services. We then looked at Product-Service Systems (PSSs) and studied the elements that could help overcome obsolescence and enable closed loops resource flows. A framework presents these elements, mapped against requirements for PSSs that close loops. Subsequently, we investigated the resource flow-system, which encompasses all the elements in place to produce a resource flow. A new modelling method is proposed that describes the movements and transformations of resources, and helps configure FMCG sector-specific system elements. The model can be used to explain how FMCG systems work. Finally a tool is presented, which embeds the modelling method as well as the process to apply it and analyse the model. The tool enables industrial users to develop a holistic view and an in-depth understanding of the resource flow-system informing the development of future systems solutions.
Journal papers featuring work presented in this thesis
Zeeuw van der Laan, A. and Aurisicchio, M. (2020), "A framework to use product-service systems as plans to produce closed-loop resource flows", Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 252, p. 119733.
Zeeuw van der Laan, A. and Aurisicchio, M. (2019), "Archetypical consumer roles in closing the loops of resource flows for Fast-Moving Consumer Goods", Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 236,.
Conference papers featuring work presented in this thesis
Zeeuw van der Laan, A. and Aurisicchio, M. (2021), "The Flow Mapper : A Tool to Model Solutions for the Circular Economy and Put Systems Thinking into Action properties", PLATE Conference 2021.
Zeeuw van der Laan, A. and Aurisicchio, M. (2019), "Gateways to Revalorisation in Future Circular Cities: A Vision for Closed-Loop Resource Flows", Sustainable Innovation 22nd International Conference. Road to 2030: Sustainability, Business Models, Innovation and Design, The Centre for Sustainable Design, pp. 113-119.
Zeeuw van der Laan, A. and Aurisicchio, M. (2019), "Designing Product-Service Systems to Close Resource Loops: Circular Design Guidelines", Procedia CIRP, Vol. 80, pp. 631-636.
Zeeuw van der Laan, A. and Aurisicchio, M. (2017), "Planned Obsolescence in the Circular Economy", PLATE Conference 2017, pp. 446-452.
Journal papers featuring work presented in this thesis
Zeeuw van der Laan, A. and Aurisicchio, M. (2020), "A framework to use product-service systems as plans to produce closed-loop resource flows", Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 252, p. 119733.
Zeeuw van der Laan, A. and Aurisicchio, M. (2019), "Archetypical consumer roles in closing the loops of resource flows for Fast-Moving Consumer Goods", Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 236,.
Conference papers featuring work presented in this thesis
Zeeuw van der Laan, A. and Aurisicchio, M. (2021), "The Flow Mapper : A Tool to Model Solutions for the Circular Economy and Put Systems Thinking into Action properties", PLATE Conference 2021.
Zeeuw van der Laan, A. and Aurisicchio, M. (2019), "Gateways to Revalorisation in Future Circular Cities: A Vision for Closed-Loop Resource Flows", Sustainable Innovation 22nd International Conference. Road to 2030: Sustainability, Business Models, Innovation and Design, The Centre for Sustainable Design, pp. 113-119.
Zeeuw van der Laan, A. and Aurisicchio, M. (2019), "Designing Product-Service Systems to Close Resource Loops: Circular Design Guidelines", Procedia CIRP, Vol. 80, pp. 631-636.
Zeeuw van der Laan, A. and Aurisicchio, M. (2017), "Planned Obsolescence in the Circular Economy", PLATE Conference 2017, pp. 446-452.
Publications
Zeeuw Van Der Laan A
(2019)
Archetypical consumer roles in closing the loops of resource flows for Fast-Moving Consumer Goods
in Journal of Cleaner Production
Zeeuw Van Der Laan A
(2020)
A framework to use product-service systems as plans to produce closed-loop resource flows
in Journal of Cleaner Production
Van Der Laan A
(2019)
Designing Product-Service Systems to Close Resource Loops: Circular Design Guidelines
in Procedia CIRP
Zeeuw Van Der Laan, A
(2017)
Planned Obsolescence in the Circular Economy
Zeeuw Van Der Laan A
(2021)
Closing the Loops of Fast-Moving Consumer Goods
Zeeuw Van Der Laan A
(2019)
Gateways to Revalorisation in Future Circular Cities: A Vision for Closed-Loop Resource Flows
Aurisicchio M
(2021)
EcoDesign and Sustainability I - Products, Services, and Business Models
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/P51052X/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/03/2022 | |||
| 2287907 | Studentship | EP/P51052X/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2020 | Anouk Zeeuw Van Der Laan |
| Description | 1) A characterisation of four archetypical roles of consumers in closing loops of fast-moving consumer goods. 2) A framework of twenty-one product-service system elements mapped against four sub-functions of product-service systems that enable closed loops. 3) A conceptualisation of a resource flow-system, function tree and library of system elements that can be used to model a flow-causality diagram of this system. 4) A tool called the Flow Mapper which enables industrial users to collaboratively model a resource flow-system and analyse the model. |
| Exploitation Route | The first two results are published in journals and conferences. Further research on the Flow Mapper is planned as part of a new post doctoral research project. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Other |
| URL | https://www.flow-mapper.com/ |
| Description | This work was co-funded by Procter & Gamble. This industrial collaboration allowed a natural translation of the results into the sector through seminars, workshops, strategy development, exhibitions, co-authorship on internal publications and engagement in live front end innovation and product development projects. Insights derived from the literature review were used to inform the development of the sustainability strategy of the partner company. The work on archetypical consumer roles was used in a design sprint workshop carried out by the partner company. The Flow Mapper tool was used in a live front end innovation project with the partner company. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2017 |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic |
| Description | Influence on practice through engagement on a live front end innovation project |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | Working with the Flow Mapper provided users with new insights that include core principles of the Circular Economy. |
| Description | EPSRC Impact Accelerator Account - Early Stage |
| Amount | £15,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/R511547/1 |
| Organisation | Imperial College London |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2019 |
| End | 11/2019 |
| Title | Flow Mapper |
| Description | The Flow Mapper was developed to model the resource flow-system by interpreting flow as the overall function of the system. The tool includes a modelling method and a process to apply the method and analyse the model. Templates and moveable parts are introduced in the Flow Mapper to build the model. |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The Flow Mapper was used in live front end innovation and product development projects. |
| URL | https://www.flow-mapper.com/ |
| Title | Flow Causality Diagram |
| Description | A method to model flow-causality, termed Flow- Causality Diagram, was developed. The Flow-Causality Diagram is a visual representation of the resource flow-system, which uses nodes and arcs to express causalities between system elements and between system elements and processes. |
| Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
| Year Produced | 2020 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | The methods are at the basis of the development of the Flow Mapper tool. |
| Description | Participatory Research for the Flow Mapper |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | Participatory Research approach to the development of the Flow Mapper Tool allowed to engage industrial users throughout its development. Industrial users were engaged in simulations of the Flow Mapper (i.e. live demonstrations of the Flow Mapper process and outcomes) to encourage a discussion to review and critique the tool. Academics, students and industrial users were engaged in workshops of the Flow Mapper (i.e. applying the Flow Mapper to cases) to obtain feedback and share knowledge. We engaged in live front end innovation and product development projects with the partner company using the Flow Mapper. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |