Brought to you by Marie Assenheimer and André Rückert from ECOLOGICON GmbH
QR codes, or Quick Response codes, have revolutionised how we interact with both digital and physical environments. Developed in 1994 by Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota, QR codes were initially created to improve logistics in the automotive manufacturing process.
Unlike traditional barcodes, which could store only a limited amount of information, QR codes could hold large quantities of data in a compact, scannable format (Denso Wave n.d.). Their ability to store vast amounts of information and their ease of use quickly made them indispensable across industries such as retail, advertising, and logistics.
History of QR codes
In the early 1990s, the limitations of traditional barcodes – storing only around 20 characters -slowed down manufacturing processes. Workers had to scan multiple barcodes to gather information about a single product, making it inefficient. Masahiro Hara of Denso Wave developed the QR code to overcome this issue. It allowed up to 7,089 numeric characters to be stored and could be scanned from different angles, even in harsh conditions (Denso Wave n.d.). QR codes also feature an error correction function, which enables them to be read even when partially damaged or dirty, which was particularly beneficial for manufacturing environments (Bendel 2021).
The use of QR codes received a significant boost during the COVID-19 pandemic, where contactless interaction became essential to reducing the spread of the virus. From restaurants offering digital menus to businesses using them for safe check-ins, QR codes found new, widespread applications. This dramatic rise in usage during the pandemic is reflected in the growth of QR code adoption, as shown in Figure 1 (Nove P., 2024).
Circular economy
In the context of a circular economy, QR codes play a crucial role in improving transparency, reducing waste, and extending the life cycle of products.
As part of the CE-RISE project, QR codes, integrated into the Digital Product Passport (DPP), offer an innovative solution to optimise the reuse, remanufacturing, recycling and repair of electronic products.
The DPP, supported by QR codes, can provide detailed information about a product’s material composition, socio-economic impacts, and environmental footprint. This enables the traceability of materials across the supply chain, facilitating better decision-making in product design, said RE-Strategies.
One of the key goals of the CE-RISE project is to address the rising demand for critical raw materials (CRMs) and minimise the loss of secondary raw materials (SRM) across value chains. With Europe’s industries working towards the Green Deal objectives, optimising the reuse of materials, components and products becomes essential to reduce dependence on limited resources. QR codes embedded in the DPP allow consumers and manufacturers to access essential data about products and their components, promoting more sustainable choices and circular business models.
For example, by scanning a QR code on an electronic device, users can instantly access information about the materials used in its construction—whether it contains rare metals, the types of plastics involved, and its recyclability. This transparency fosters consumer awareness about the environmental impact of their purchases and encourages responsible disposal. Additionally, manufacturers can use this data to ensure that products are designed with end-of-life processes in mind, such as easier disassembly for recycling or repair.
Beyond recyclability, QR codes also promote repairability—another core principle of the circular economy. By integrating repair guides and spare part information into the DPP, QR codes empower consumers to extend the life of their devices, reducing waste and encouraging a shift from disposal to repair. For businesses, this also opens new revenue streams by creating opportunities for repair services and spare part sales.
In the CE-RISE project, this system will be tested across multiple product categories, including ICT products, printers, solar panels, batteries, and heating systems. By enabling the traceability of materials and their socio-environmental impact through QR codes, CE-RISE aims to create a dynamic ecosystem that promotes material recovery, minimizes waste generation, and stimulates circular business models.
The role of QR codes in promoting a circular economy does not stop at individual products. QR codes can help track the entire life cycle of a product, providing valuable data for supply chains, businesses, and policymakers. This data is crucial for improving transparency and ensuring that materials are efficiently reused or recycled, thus reducing the need for new raw materials. By incorporating QR codes into products and packaging, companies can meet the growing demand for sustainable practices while contributing to a broader effort to reduce environmental impact.
Challenges
Despite their potential, QR codes face certain challenges, particularly around security. It is difficult to know what information is contained in a QR code before scanning it, which exposes users to the risk of phishing or malware attacks. However, with proper encryption and user education, these risks can be minimised (Bendel 2021). For the success of CE-RISE, collaboration between manufacturers, policymakers, and consumers is essential. Standardizing how product information is encoded and accessed via QR codes will be key to making these tools reliable and effective in promoting a circular economy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, QR codes are not just a convenience for linking digital and physical worlds. In the CE-RISE project, they represent a powerful tool for transforming how materials are managed across value chains. By enabling the transparency and traceability needed for efficient reuse, recycling, and repair, QR codes can help Europe move towards a more resilient, resource-efficient, and sustainable future.