Incorporating circularity as a crucial aspect of modern-day design: A circular economy eliminates waste, extends product life, repurpose products and materials, and regenerates nature. We provide some practical advice for businesses trying to become more circular.
Circularity is a crucial aspect of modern-day design.
Our economy is linear: We take materials from the earth → Turn them into goods → Return them to the earth as waste. With finite resources, that can’t continue.
A circular approach to product development BREAKS that straight line by:
🌱 Designing out waste – using durable, non-toxic materials and methods.
🌱 Extending the life of products – efficient use, redistribution, and recycling.
🌱 Regenerative nature – Returning waste material to nature in a non-harmful way.
🌱 Repurposing products – extending a product’s lifetime with new, additional uses.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here’s the best diagram (courtesy of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation) we’ve found that explains the circular concept.
1. Take a holistic approach: You can’t be circular in isolation – analyse your whole chain and ecosystem.
2. Understand your waste: Both your carbon impact AND your material impact.
3. Learn about sustainability legislation: Understand its impact, now and in the future.
4. Test and learn: Start now, taking small steps you can scale later.
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