♻️ Circular economy scoring (fast + audit-friendly)

R6: Action-based Circularity for BASIC

The R6 model turns circular economy from buzzword to audit-ready evidence. Each item is scored on six real actions already embodied in it: Repair, Reuse, Recycle, Renewable, Regional, and Re-imagine.

+1 clear positive 0 unknown / mixed −1 clearly negative
Pass rule: Sum of all six scores must be ≥ +1 to qualify as a BASIC circular good/service.

🧩 R6 Badge (example)

Embed a simple badge near products/services so people can trust the scoring at a glance.

Re
Ru
Rc
Rn
Rg
Ri
Total: +3
Re=Repair · Ru=Reuse · Rc=Recycle · Rn=Renewable · Rg=Regional · Ri=Re-imagine
Quick rule: Pass if total ≥ +1
Why this works: It rewards actions already achieved (repair, reuse, recycled feedstock, renewable power, local supply, upcycling), not vague claims.

The Six Rs

Action-based scoring that stays fast, practical, and auditable.

Use +1 for clear positive evidence, 0 for unknown/mixed, and −1 for clearly negative.

Repair

Item is already repaired / refurbished / maintained to extend life.

  • +1 repaired / refurbished
  • 0 unknown
  • −1 discarded instead

Reuse

Item is directly reused in current form (secondhand / refill).

  • +1 reused / refilled
  • 0 unknown
  • −1 single-use

Recycle

Item is made from recycled materials (post-consumer / industrial).

  • +1 recycled feedstock
  • 0 mixed / unknown
  • −1 virgin only

Renewable

Production used renewable energy, or the item generates renewable energy.

  • +1 renewable used / produced
  • 0 unknown
  • −1 fossil heavy

Regional

Locally made/served within the community/region, reducing transport.

  • +1 local / regional
  • 0 mixed
  • −1 long-haul import

Re-imagine

During repair/reuse the item is enhanced (upcycled design or improved function).

  • +1 enhanced / upcycled
  • 0 unchanged
  • −1 downgraded

Scoring & Acceptance

Assign a score for each R. Unknowns are allowed as 0 to keep evaluations fast. Minimum acceptance threshold is total ≥ +1.

Quick checklist

  • ✅ Is it repaired/refurbished? (Repair)
  • ✅ Is it reused/refilled/secondhand? (Reuse)
  • ✅ Does it contain recycled feedstock? (Recycle)
  • ✅ Was renewable energy used / is renewable generated? (Renewable)
  • ✅ Is it locally made/served? (Regional)
  • ✅ Was it improved/upcycled? (Re-imagine)
R +1 0 −1
Repair Already repaired/refurbished Unknown Discarded instead
Reuse Already reused/refilled Unknown Single-use
Recycle Made from recycled feedstock Mixed/unknown Virgin only
Renewable Renewables used or produced Unknown Fossil heavy
Regional Local/regional Mixed Long-haul import
Re-imagine Enhanced via repair/reuse Unchanged Downgraded
Tip: Keep evidence lightweight (photos, invoices, meter proof, vendor declaration + spot audits).

Examples

Refurbished laptop, upgraded RAM

Repair +1 · Reuse +1 · Recycle 0 · Renewable 0 · Regional 0 · Re-imagine +1

Total: +3
→ qualifies

Local bamboo chair from recycled offcuts

Repair 0 · Reuse 0 · Recycle +1 · Renewable +1 · Regional +1 · Re-imagine 0

Total: +3
→ qualifies

New imported plastic toy

Repair −1 · Reuse −1 · Recycle −1 · Renewable −1 · Regional −1 · Re-imagine −1

Total: −6
→ fails

FAQ

Why use action-based scoring?

It rewards concrete circular actions already achieved, not hypothetical design claims.

What if data is missing?

Use 0 for unknown. The system stays fast and practical while still filtering out poor performers.

Can services be scored?

Yes: repair shops, sharing platforms, local renewable providers, etc., all map to the six Rs.

Who assigns scores?

Community evaluators or vendor self-declarations with spot audits. BASIC can publish simple guidance per category.