Want to make sense of circular economy data? Learn how to use visualization techniques like Sankey diagrams, GIS mapping, and real-time dashboards to track resource use, material flows, and environmental metrics. These tools help businesses reduce waste, optimize processes, and make data-driven decisions.

Key Takeaways:

• Sankey Diagrams: Visualize material and energy flows to spot inefficiencies.

• GIS Mapping: Add a location-based view to track resource hotspots and logistics.

• Real-Time Dashboards: Monitor live data for quick adjustments and better decisions.

Why it matters: Clear visuals turn raw data into actionable insights, helping businesses transition to a circular economy where resources are reused, repaired, and recycled.

Ready to dive deeper? Let’s explore each method in detail.

Data Visualization Basics

Types of Supply Chain Data

To effectively visualize closed-loop performance, supply chain data can be grouped into three main categories:

• Material flows: Tracks the movement and volume of inputs, intermediate products, and byproducts throughout the supply chain.

• Resource use: Measures the consumption of energy, water, and raw materials across different processes.

• Environmental metrics: Focuses on emissions, waste production, and ecological impacts.

Each category requires specific design approaches to clearly demonstrate circular-economy performance [1]. These distinctions are key to shaping the design principles that follow.

What is a SANKEY diagram (+ examples) ??

Key Visualization Methods

Let's dive into three essential visualization techniques that support closed-loop optimization.

Sankey Diagrams

Sankey diagrams are perfect for visualizing material and energy flows. The width of the arrows corresponds to the quantity being tracked, making it simple to spot where resources accumulate, split, or loop back into the system.

To create effective Sankey diagrams, keep these tips in mind:

• Use color coding to distinguish between different material or energy streams.

• Position nodes strategically to reduce overlapping or crossing flows.

• Label flows clearly with consistent U.S. units (e.g., tons, gallons).

• Add tooltips for detailed metrics when users hover over elements.

These diagrams help identify inefficiencies, which can then be further examined through GIS mapping.

GIS Mapping

GIS mapping brings a location-based perspective, showing where resources are produced, processed, or required. In the U.S., organizations use GIS to optimize routes, locate hotspots, and determine the best sites for recycling or remanufacturing facilities.

For effective GIS visualizations, consider:

• Heat maps to display resource or waste density.

• Transportation overlays showing routes, distances, and travel times.

• Facility capacity indicators to highlight processing limits.

• Real-time tracking layers for vehicles or assets to monitor logistics.

Once spatial patterns are clear, you can track live performance using real-time dashboards.

Real-Time Dashboards

Real-time dashboards turn live circular-economy data into interactive visuals, allowing for quick operational adjustments.

Key features of effective dashboards include:

• A clear visual hierarchy that emphasizes critical KPIs like recovery rates, energy use, cost savings, or emissions avoided.

• Customizable filters for time ranges and specific metrics.

• Automated alerts triggered when KPIs exceed set thresholds.

• Responsive layouts that work seamlessly on both desktop and mobile devices for easy monitoring.

These dashboards make it easier to stay on top of performance and make informed decisions in real time.

Business Applications

Resource Analysis

Visualizing material flows helps businesses understand how resources are consumed, where waste accumulates, and how effectively materials are recovered. This insight allows companies to pinpoint areas for cutting waste and using resources more efficiently.

Network Analysis

Network visualizations map out relationships with suppliers, customers, and recycling partners. These maps can highlight opportunities for collaboration and reveal dependencies. Businesses can use this analysis to identify important partners for material exchange and improve cooperation throughout their supply chain.

Implementation Guide

Now that we've looked at business applications, let's walk through key steps for implementation.

Focus on Data Quality

Start by validating, cleaning, and standardizing your input data. This ensures your data is complete, consistent, and accurate - critical for creating reliable circular economy visualizations.

Design for Your Audience

Craft visuals based on what your stakeholders need:

• Executives: High-level dashboards that show recovery rates and cost savings at a glance.

• Analysts: Interactive charts with detailed flows, filters, and scenario comparisons tied to social, economic, and environmental goals.

By combining audience-specific design with strong data standards, you can deliver actionable insights that lead to better decisions.

Council Fire Services

Council Fire brings expertise in sustainability, collaboration with stakeholders, and effective communication to help achieve measurable environmental, social, and economic results. Their approach ensures long-lasting outcomes and a competitive edge.

Key Points

Effective Visualization Design Use data visualization to highlight social, environmental, and economic benefits clearly and effectively.

Audience-Focused Visuals Customize dashboards and charts to meet the specific needs of your stakeholders, ensuring they remain relevant and useful.

Tracking Impact with Good + Good Apply Council Fire's Good + Good approach to measure outcomes that support both organizational goals and environmental well-being.

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