CIRCLE
CIRCLE
AI-powered Carbon Footprint Calculator for Fashion & Lifestyle Products.
AI-powered Carbon Footprint Calculator for Fashion & Lifestyle Products.
AI-powered Carbon Footprint Calculator for Fashion & Lifestyle Products.
CIRCLE is an open-source environmental impact API co-developed by CARE ID and the Carbon Neutral Research Institute in Korea. It estimates Carbon Footprint of Products (CFP) within a Cradle-to-Gate boundary, using a partial-CFP methodology aligned with ISO 14067.
CIRCLE is an open-source environmental impact API co-developed by CARE ID and the Carbon Neutral Research Institute in Korea. It estimates Carbon Footprint of Products (CFP) within a Cradle-to-Gate boundary, using a partial-CFP methodology aligned with ISO 14067.
CIRCLE is an open-source environmental impact API co-developed by CARE ID and the Carbon Neutral Research Institute in Korea. It estimates Carbon Footprint of Products (CFP) within a Cradle-to-Gate boundary, using a partial-CFP methodology aligned with ISO 14067.
*CIRCLE does not replace a certified LCA; it supports early-stage estimation using validated secondary datasets.
*CIRCLE does not replace a certified LCA; it supports early-stage estimation using validated secondary datasets.
IMPACT
IMPACT
IMPACT
CIRCLE helps companies estimate apparel Cradle-to-Gate carbon impacts in a consistent, comparable format, with clear disclosure of scope and limitations.
CIRCLE helps companies estimate apparel Cradle-to-Gate carbon impacts in a consistent, comparable format, with clear disclosure of scope and limitations.
HOW
TO USE
01
Please enter the name of the clothing.
HOW
TO USE
01
Enter clothing name
Please enter the name of the clothing.
HOW
TO USE
01
Enter clothing name
Please enter the name of the clothing.
Methodology
Methodology
Methodology
CIRCLE’s calculation scope is strictly limited to the Cradle-to-Gate stage, covering processes from raw material acquisition through manufacturing.
Use, disposal, recycling stages, as well as EU PEF-required system boundaries, are explicitly excluded.
The current version of CIRCLE fully retains the assumptions and data structures defined in the original research documentation provided by the Korea Carbon Neutral Research Institute, including:
-Standardised process classification and stage definitions
-Secondary datasets based on the national e-Nara Indicator system
-Assumptions for imported and blended materials
Transport scenarios based on Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency (KHOA) and government Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) dataThis structure is designed to ensure methodological consistency and reproducibility and cannot be arbitrarily modified by CARE ID or individual brands.
CIRCLE’s calculation scope is strictly limited to the Cradle-to-Gate stage, covering processes from raw material acquisition through manufacturing.
Use, disposal, recycling stages, as well as EU PEF-required system boundaries, are explicitly excluded.
The current version of CIRCLE fully retains the assumptions and data structures defined in the original research documentation provided by the Korea Carbon Neutral Research Institute, including:
-Standardised process classification and stage definitions
-Secondary datasets based on the national e-Nara Indicator system
-Assumptions for imported and blended materials
Transport scenarios based on Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency (KHOA) and government Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) dataThis structure is designed to ensure methodological consistency and reproducibility and cannot be arbitrarily modified by CARE ID or individual brands.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing
Manufacturing
Manufacturing-stage calculations in CIRCLE are performed exclusively using the process classification framework and secondary emission-factor datasets defined by the Korea Carbon Neutral Research Institute.
The calculation targets a partial Carbon Footprint of a Product (partial CFP) within a Cradle-to-Gate boundary, encompassing material production, processing, and garment manufacturing stages.
It does not verify or audit the actual operational efficiency or equipment performance of individual companies.
Manufacturing results generated by CIRCLE do not replace formal Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies or third-party verification, and are intended solely as reference indicators to support relative comparison of material and process choices.
Manufacturing-stage calculations in CIRCLE are performed exclusively using the process classification framework and secondary emission-factor datasets defined by the Korea Carbon Neutral Research Institute.
The calculation targets a partial Carbon Footprint of a Product (partial CFP) within a Cradle-to-Gate boundary, encompassing material production, processing, and garment manufacturing stages.
It does not verify or audit the actual operational efficiency or equipment performance of individual companies.
Manufacturing results generated by CIRCLE do not replace formal Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies or third-party verification, and are intended solely as reference indicators to support relative comparison of material and process choices.
Transport
Transport
Transport
Transport calculations in CIRCLE are applied in a limited manner within the Cradle-to-Gate boundary.
Transport calculations in CIRCLE are applied in a limited manner within the Cradle-to-Gate boundary.
Only upstream transport impacts occurring prior to manufacturing—such as raw material and material imports—are reflected. Downstream logistics, including customer delivery, returns, and post-distribution transport, are excluded.
Transport modelling follows a scenario-based approach defined in the initial research documentation and does not implement full transport system modelling or multimodal optimisation as required under EU PEF.
Only upstream transport impacts occurring prior to manufacturing—such as raw material and material imports—are reflected. Downstream logistics, including customer delivery, returns, and post-distribution transport, are excluded.
Transport modelling follows a scenario-based approach defined in the initial research documentation and does not implement full transport system modelling or multimodal optimisation as required under EU PEF.
Distance calculation follows a hierarchical logic:
-Where origin and destination port data exist in the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency (KHOA) database, port-to-port distances are applied.
-Where such data are unavailable or incomplete, a fixed China-to-Korea maritime transport default value defined in the research documentation is used.
This transport model is a conservative structural assumption, intended to reflect upstream environmental burden rather than to support logistics optimisation or regulatory reporting.
Distance calculation follows a hierarchical logic:
-Where origin and destination port data exist in the Korea Hydrographic and Oceanographic Agency (KHOA) database, port-to-port distances are applied.
-Where such data are unavailable or incomplete, a fixed China-to-Korea maritime transport default value defined in the research documentation is used.
This transport model is a conservative structural assumption, intended to reflect upstream environmental burden rather than to support logistics optimisation or regulatory reporting.
Maintenance — N/A
Maintenance — N/A
Maintenance — N/A
CIRCLE does not calculate environmental impacts arising from the customer use phase, as usage-stage data vary significantly by country, culture, and individual behaviour and are not compatible with Cradle-to-Gate product comparability.
Accordingly, impacts related to washing, drying, usage frequency, and duration of use are intentionally excluded from the calculation scope.
CIRCLE does not calculate environmental impacts arising from the customer use phase, as usage-stage data vary significantly by country, culture, and individual behaviour and are not compatible with Cradle-to-Gate product comparability.
Accordingly, impacts related to washing, drying, usage frequency, and duration of use are intentionally excluded from the calculation scope.
End-of-Life & Recycling — N/A
End-of-Life & Recycling — N/A
End-of-Life & Recycling — N/A
CIRCLE does not calculate environmental impacts associated with End-of-Life stages, including disposal, recycling, energy recovery, or landfill.
Including these stages would introduce excessive methodological assumptions and increase the risk of misinterpretation.
CIRCLE does not calculate environmental impacts associated with End-of-Life stages, including disposal, recycling, energy recovery, or landfill.
Including these stages would introduce excessive methodological assumptions and increase the risk of misinterpretation.
* Within the CARE ID DPP architecture, downstream stages—including Maintenance and End-of-Life & Recycling—are managed separately through event-based data (e.g. collection, sorting, recycling records) or through future dedicated circularity modules, rather than through CIRCLE calculations.
* Within the CARE ID DPP architecture, downstream stages—including Maintenance and End-of-Life & Recycling—are managed separately through event-based data (e.g. collection, sorting, recycling records) or through future dedicated circularity modules, rather than through CIRCLE calculations.
EASY COMPARISON
EASY COMPARISON
EASY COMPARISON
Smartphone charging
Smartphone charging
Smartphone charging
The conversion standard is 0.0005kWh per charging hour, which is the average consumption considering the differences between smartphone models. The carbon emissions per 1kWh of electricity also vary by country or region, but it has been calculated based on an average of 0.5kgCO2/kWh. This is a figure that consumers can intuitively understand.
The conversion standard is 0.0005kWh per charging hour, which is the average consumption considering the differences between smartphone models. The carbon emissions per 1kWh of electricity also vary by country or region, but it has been calculated based on an average of 0.5kgCO2/kWh. This is a figure that consumers can intuitively understand.
The conversion standard is 0.0005kWh per charging hour, which is the average consumption considering the differences between smartphone models. The carbon emissions per 1kWh of electricity also vary by country or region, but it has been calculated based on an average of 0.5kgCO2/kWh. This is a figure that consumers can intuitively understand.
Mileage
Mileage
Mileage
The fuel efficiency of cars can vary greatly depending on the model and environment, but for the purpose of carbon calculation, we take the average value and assume it to be 10km/L. The carbon emissions per liter of gasoline is about 2.31kgCO2/L, which can be converted into the driving distance of the car.
The fuel efficiency of cars can vary greatly depending on the model and environment, but for the purpose of carbon calculation, we take the average value and assume it to be 10km/L. The carbon emissions per liter of gasoline is about 2.31kgCO2/L, which can be converted into the driving distance of the car.
The fuel efficiency of cars can vary greatly depending on the model and environment, but for the purpose of carbon calculation, we take the average value and assume it to be 10km/L. The carbon emissions per liter of gasoline is about 2.31kgCO2/L, which can be converted into the driving distance of the car.
Tree
Tree
Tree
This is the number of trees needed to offset carbon. It varies by species, but on average, it is known that one oak tree absorbs about 22 kilograms of carbon dioxide per year. This threshold is used to indicate the number of trees required to offset a carbon footprint.
This is the number of trees needed to offset carbon. It varies by species, but on average, it is known that one oak tree absorbs about 22 kilograms of carbon dioxide per year. This threshold is used to indicate the number of trees required to offset a carbon footprint.
This is the number of trees needed to offset carbon. It varies by species, but on average, it is known that one oak tree absorbs about 22 kilograms of carbon dioxide per year. This threshold is used to indicate the number of trees required to offset a carbon footprint.
Water
Water
Water
Purified water does not have a direct impact, but ensuring that trees receive sufficient water plays an indirect but important role in CO2 absorption. Considering this, it is necessary to indirectly assess the role of water when calculating the carbon absorption of trees.
Purified water does not have a direct impact, but ensuring that trees receive sufficient water plays an indirect but important role in CO2 absorption. Considering this, it is necessary to indirectly assess the role of water when calculating the carbon absorption of trees.
Purified water does not have a direct impact, but ensuring that trees receive sufficient water plays an indirect but important role in CO2 absorption. Considering this, it is necessary to indirectly assess the role of water when calculating the carbon absorption of trees.