Life cycle and examples
Last updated on June 19, 2025The life cycle of a good or service refers to all the stages from resource extraction through to materials processing, manufacturing, distribution, use and maintenance, and disposal.
A circular economy approach in public procurement aims to reduce waste, pollution, and environmental harms by improving life cycle considerations. This is a paradigm shift from a linear “take, make, waste” system, where resources and materials are disposed of when no longer needed. A circular economy approach aims to design out waste from the process by keeping materials in use for as long as possible through sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials.
A circular economy can maintain the highest value of goods and services through different life cycle considerations that use less raw material, incorporate recycled content, and prolong lifespans.
Environmentally responsible procurement may consider:
- Design: certain designs may be higher in durability, repairable, use recycled content, recyclable, and reduce waste and emissions
- Production and manufacturing: impacts could include social and environmental considerations such as greenhouse gas emissions
- Logistics and distribution: reduce unnecessary packaging, materials, and greenhouse gas emissions in the distribution supply chain
- Consumption, repair, and reuse: improve life cycles through different strategies that reduce the need to purchase more goods
- Collection and recycling: embed recycling and take-back program requirements to reduce environmental impacts and keep materials in the economy for as long as possible
A circular economy approach may inform the procurement process as it considers the costs, impacts, and benefits of the purchase of a good or service throughout its entire life cycle. Commonly referred to as Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), these procurement life cycle assessments look beyond the upfront purchase cost and consider operation, maintenance, and disposal costs.
Examples of circular economy in procurement
Environmentally responsible and circular goods focus on repairability, recycled content, recyclability, and reducing waste and emissions through design.
Recycled material content decreases emissions by reducing the use of new materials in most paper, plastics, electronics, and other goods. Recycled plastic content can be required in a variety of situations, from packaging to building materials. Recycled paper also saves trees and reduces impacts to the land and ecosystems.
Zero emission vehicles are powered by renewable energy such as B.C.’s clean electricity and have significantly lower GHG emissions compared to a traditional internal combustion engine. They can also cost less over their life cycle than internal combustion vehicles, so are often the preferred option when the need for transportation cannot be eliminated and where active and public transportation options are not available.
Environmentally responsible catering may include specifying plant-based meals as the default, avoiding ruminant animal products, prohibiting bottled water, and requiring all dishes and cutlery to be washable/reusable. This reduces GHG emissions and waste and supports broader environmental stewardship.
Product-as-a-Service and sharing platforms are an alternative to owning a product or equipment. This includes maximizing the use and value of assets by sharing amongst others through sharing platforms.
Reuseable containers and refillable options such as cups and containers for food and beverage takeout help to avoid single-use items ending up in the landfill. Refillable options also reduce the need for further packaging.
Renting or leasing office equipment such as printers, photocopiers, furniture, and other government equipment, instead of buying, benefits the environment by reducing waste, cutting down on resource consumption, encouraging a culture of reuse, lowering carbon footprint, and supporting sustainable consumer habits.
Product lifetime extensions prolong the lifespan through reuse, repair, refurbish, remanufacture, and recycling to prevent them from ending up in landfills.
Office supplies, electronics, and textile recycling such as pens, markers, toner and ink cartridges, uniforms, etc., helps to close the loop as part of a circular economy by utilizing materials more efficiently and preventing waste.
Computer hardware takeback programs allow computers at the ends of their lives to be either refurbished and returned to the market or the electronic components to be recycled into the supply chain, which includes steel, aluminum, and copper.