dc.description.abstract
With the aim of promoting circular design and production, and aligning corporate activities with the Sustainable Development Goals, this thesis develops a structured methodology and a tool to guide companies in adopting and improving the mentioned principles. The main objective was to provide a practical framework that enables organizations to assess their level of circularity across different areas, set targets, select feasible strategies, and systematically monitor the actions required for their adoption. The methodology is structured into five defined phases: (1) set up, (2) initial evaluation, (3) goal setting, (4) strategy selection, and (5) monitoring. This framework combines an indicator questionnaire with a product circularity calculation, offering a comprehensive view that covers both product design efficiency and organizational capabilities and culture. To achieve the final result, this thesis includes a bibliographic review of the most relevant institutional approaches in the sector, an analysis of existing tools, and an investigation of national targets to ensure proper alignment. The validation was carried out through a case study in a company from the paper industry, which obtained a result for each of the proposed indicators across eight areas of study, including circular evaluation of the components of one of its products: the recycled paper reel. The results demonstrate that the methodology is successfully applicable in a real study case, and that the tool facilitates decision making by clearly identifying areas for improvement and the most viable strategies. In conclusion, this structured approach enables companies to take a step towards their circular transition, aligning with recommended targets while providing necessary flexibility. Finally, future work is recommended to include refining and expanding the questionnaire items that produce numerical indicator results, and developing digital or web-based versions to automate data entry and report generation. It is also suggested to explore how the methodology can be integrated into existing environmental management systems to ensure its continuous adoption in organizations.
