Mapping supply systems in circular settings: A proposal for a new methodology

In Circular Economy (CE) contexts, existing methodologies used to map inter- and intra-firm processes within supply systems exhibit limitations in completeness and readability, offering limited support to decision-makers engaged in designing CE practices and assessing their environmental impacts through Material Flow Analysis (MFA) or Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This paper introduces MACSS (MApping Circular Supply Systems), a novel methodology developed through a three-step Design Research Method that addresses these shortcomings by defining a new syntax and semantics for mapping circular supply systems. MACSS's applicability and actionability were demonstrated through a case study in the European Flat Glass industry, where the supply system was mapped using both MACSS and other established methodologies. The comparative results highlight MACSS's improved capacity to represent and distinguish emission and material flows, as well as the points of the supply systems subject to changes in mass balances and process, production, and transportation emissions introduced by the adoption of CE practices. MACSS thus supports decision-makers in mapping and exploring circular supply system configurations and informs managers interested in developing inter-firm digital solutions for the circular transition. Furthermore, it provides qualitative insights for MFA/LCA analysts conducting inventory analyses to enable the assessment of the environmental impacts of CE practices.