Closing the Loops of Fast Moving Consumer Goods

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.