CIRCULARITY SCORE
Products honestly reviewed.
Circularity is not a gut feeling. That's why we developed our own Circularity Score. It helps us to honestly evaluate our products, make progress measurable, and identify the greatest potential on the way to 100% circularity by 2030.
Circularity Score
Products
honestly
reviewed.
We want to make circularity measurable. That's why we have developed our own Circularity Score. We use it to evaluate each product based on criteria such as material, design, service, and transparency, and to make our progress visible.
This is how we rate our products.
Each product reviewed is analyzed based on various criteria. We look not only at the materials used but also at the entire journey towards a circular economy. The following four main areas form the basis of our Circularity Score and contribute to the overall rating with varying weighting.
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Design for Circularity (30%)
We evaluate how a product was developed. This includes, among other things, monomaterials, reparability, durability, and the ability to easily recycle or compost materials at the end of their life.
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Materials (35%)
We evaluate the materials used and their contribution to circularity. This includes, for example, the proportion of recycled materials, material health, chemical management, and the impact of material care throughout the entire life cycle.
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Services & Business Model (20%)
Circularity doesn't end with the product. That's why we also evaluate services and business models, reuse models, or partnerships for a product's end of life.
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Transparency & Data (15%)
Transparency is an important part of circularity. That's why we also assess how much information we disclose about a product and its supply chain, and how well we meet regulatory requirements.
The Circularity Score helps us make better decisions. It not only evaluates individual products but also shows us where the greatest potential for more circularity lies across the entire product range.
The score does not assess quality.
A product with an E-rating can be of high quality, durable, and carefully manufactured. However, material mixes or a lack of return systems often prevent a better rating today.
Conversely, even our most advanced products do not yet achieve an A-rating. This is because we still see further potential for improvement there, for example, in repair services or additional circular offerings.
The Circularity Score therefore does not evaluate the quality of a product, but exclusively its circularity.
"Circularity is not a state. It is a journey. Our score shows how far we have already traveled and how much further we have to go."
– Robin, Co-Founder NIKIN
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did NIKIN develop its own Circularity Score?
Because we want to make our progress towards 100% circularity measurable. The score helps us to honestly evaluate products and identify potential for improvement at an early stage.
Does the Circularity Score assess the quality of a product?
No. The Circularity Score primarily assesses a product's circularity. While durability is also included in the assessment, a lower rating does not mean that a product is of lower quality. All NIKIN products are subject to the same high quality standards regardless of this.
Why don't your products currently have an A-rating yet?
An A-rating signifies a benchmark product in circularity. Our evaluation standard is deliberately high, and in case of doubt, we tend to assess our products more strictly than too optimistically. Therefore, even our most advanced products currently do not yet achieve an A-rating. Conversely, an E-rating does not mean that a product is poor. Often, current material mixtures, a lack of return systems, or other aspects of circularity prevent a better rating.
How often is the Circularity Score reviewed?
We regularly review our assessments and adjust them as products, materials, or services evolve.
Can a product's score change?
Yes. When we improve materials, introduce new services, or increase a product's circularity, the Circularity Score is adjusted accordingly. This was, for example, the case when we changed the main material of our socks.