Design plays a pivotal role in the circular economy, as it necessitates a fundamental reimagining of various aspects of our society. This transformation encompasses the redesign of products, business models, urban environments regenerate natural systems, and long-standing linear structures that have been in place for over a century. At its core, circular economy design seeks to address pressing global issues, including pollution and resource depletion. It operates on three key principles that drive its development. First and foremost is the principle of eliminating waste and pollution, which entails creating products and systems that minimize waste, prioritize recycling, and reduce harmful emissions. Secondly, the circular economy promotes a high level of product availability, encouraging the continuous use and circulation of goods to maximize their utility and lifespan. Lastly, it emphasizes the restoration of nature, aiming to regenerate ecosystems and mitigate the environmental impact of human activities. Designing and implementing the circular economy system solution framework is essential for achieving these principles and addressing the urgent challenges of our time.
By embracing circular economy design, we can pave the way for a more sustainable and regenerative future. It entails a shift away from the traditional linear ‘take-make-dispose’ business model towards a more holistic approach that seeks to create closed-loop systems, where materials are reused, recycled, and repurposed, and where waste and pollution are minimized. This approach not only reduces the strain on our planet’s resources but also promotes innovation, efficiency, and resilience in our economies. Circular design challenges us to think creatively, design with longevity and repairability in mind, and consider the entire lifecycle of products and systems. It represents a critical pathway toward addressing pressing global environmental issues and building a more sustainable and equitable world for future generations.
Circular economy (CE) and digital applications
Digitalisation also plays an important role, enabling digital design and construction methods that optimize resource use and re-use recycled materials, such as standardization, modularization and material passporting, and assists with the optimum, tailored supply of materials (BIM applications) and smart building technology for the industrial and commercial sectors The concept of materials passports has long been explored as a viable option, as compared with other forms of digital application and has become more widespread in the world. Architect Thomas Rau and architect Sabine Oberhuber first explored this concept in their landmark book Matter.
The Role of Design in the Circular Economy
According to what we already have said, circular economy is accepting new business models aimed at recycling, repurposing natural resources as well as minimizing waste. One of their examples is the use of Zipcars, a vehicle enabling the consumer to buy or use cars whenever it is required instead of buying cars. Cloud services are another option which allows you to save and view files and photos without purchasing hardware storage. In this cyclical economy, design plays a more significant role and contributes more towards developing new business model for the circular economy.
What are the 4 principles of circular design?
Circular design is a methodology that seeks to apply the principles of the circular economy within the context of design processes, with the aim of creating products and systems that have positive impacts on both humans and the environment. At its core, circular design encompasses four key principles that guide its implementation. The first principle is to prioritize the design of products and systems that are built to last, emphasizing durability and longevity. This means considering the quality of materials and craftsmanship to ensure that products have extended lifespans durable and resistant materials that can withstand wear and tear.
What is an example of circular product design?
The circular product design LOOP is Adidas’ first running shoe re-designed. The running sneakers were carefully manufactured by Adidas with its manufacturer and recycling partners in the hope that they could be returned to Adidas, recycled for creating better performance running shoes.” – A.J. B.
A notable example of circular product design is the “LOOP” running shoe by Adidas. This innovative running sneaker represents Adidas’ commitment to sustainability and circularity. The design of the LOOP shoe is characterized by its careful construction in collaboration with its manufacturing process and recycling partners. What sets it apart is its end-of-life solution, as these shoes are created with the intention of being returned to Adidas for recycling and repurposing into new performance running shoes. This approach embodies the principles of circular design, which prioritize the longevity, repairability, and recycling of products to minimize waste and promote environmental sustainability. The LOOP running shoe serves as a tangible example of how circular product design can contribute to a more sustainable and regenerative future for the fashion and footwear industry.
What is circular design guide?
A circular design guide is a set of resources and tools developed to assist innovators in addressing challenges related to the circular economy. These guides provide valuable insights and methodologies to help individuals and organizations create innovative solutions that align with circular economic principles. Circular design guides typically offer a structured approach to product and system design, emphasizing factors such as durability, repairability, natural resource consumption, efficiency, and waste reduction. They enable users to explore and implement strategies that promote the creation of products and systems capable of generating long-lasting and sustainable value within the circular economy. These guides are essential resources for those looking to transition towards more sustainable and regenerative practices in their design and production processes.
Designing for a circular economy
Design plays a pivotal role in driving the transition towards a circular economy, a shift that has been gaining momentum for some time now. The core principles of the circular economy, which include reducing waste and pollution, promoting the continuous circulation of products, and regenerating the environment, align closely with the ethos of design. However, it’s important to acknowledge that many of our current systems and processes are still deeply rooted in linear economic models, where products are produced, consumed, and discarded. To truly embrace the circular economy, design practices need to be reimagined and realigned with these principles.
Designers like Chris Grantham from IDEO are at the forefront of this transformation, advocating for a shift in mindset and approach among design professionals. They emphasize the importance of designing products and systems with circular economic principles in mind, prioritizing longevity, repairability, and resource efficiency. This shift towards circular design not only reduces waste and environmental impact but also opens up new avenues for innovation, collaboration, and sustainability. It underscores the critical role that design plays in shaping a more sustainable and regenerative future for our planet.
Use Circular Design To Reverse Harm
Circular design is a powerful approach aimed at reversing the harm caused by linear production and consumption systems. Unlike the traditional linear model of ‘take-make-dispose,’ circular design focuses on creating products and systems that minimize waste, extend product lifecycles, and prioritize sustainability. It’s about reimagining the way products are conceived, manufactured, and used, with an emphasis on durability, repairability, and recyclability. By adopting circular design principles, we can reduce the negative environmental impacts associated with our current consumption patterns, conserve valuable resources, and contribute to a more sustainable and regenerative future for our planet.
The circular design process
The circular design process represents a innovative approach to product development and sustainability. It encompasses four key stages and incorporates techniques such as design thinking and human-centered design. The initial stage involves gaining a deep understanding of the user and their systems, which is essential for defining the challenges and objectives that the whole design team aims to address. This user-centric approach ensures that the resulting design solutions are tailored to meet real-world needs effectively. Subsequent stages involve ideation, prototyping, and testing, all with a focus on creating products and systems that align with circular economy principles. By following this structured process, designers can play a crucial role in driving sustainability and promoting the circular economy.
Waste is a design failure
It has been argued that circularity is design failure. The new legislation also calls for the prevention at system level from building waste from the construction phase and operation phase to the final phase and from construction waste. It demands fundamentally a design change in creative process in which materials are eliminated from the system and, where that can not be achieved, “ waste” becomes “nutrient” and re-integrated into the materials. The term waste will always mean that the idea that there is a waste is no longer present. Michael Braungarty.
Reuse and recycling: Materializing a circular construction
The concept of reuse and recycling is at the forefront of materializing a circular construction industry, where sustainability and resource efficiency are paramount. Projects like the Urban Mining Recyclement (UMAR) experiments unit within the new NEST building exemplify the innovative approach of designing for disassembly. In this context, the aim is to create a complete set of building components that are not only durable and functional but also designed to be easily disassembled and reused, recycled, or composted at the end of their lifecycle. This approach aligns with the principles of the circular economy, where materials are kept in circulation, waste is minimized, and environmental impact is reduced.
The construction industry faces various challenges in today’s global landscape, including competitive demand for resources, complex global challenges such as climate change, and disruptions in the supply chain. These factors have led to volatile commodity prices, increased uncertainty regarding resource availability in the long term, and rising costs in general. In response, the construction sector is recognizing the importance of transitioning towards circular construction practices, which not only mitigate these challenges but also contribute to a more sustainable and resilient industry.
Circular construction approaches, like those demonstrated by UMAR, hold the potential to transform the construction industry by reducing its reliance on finite resources and minimizing the environmental footprint of buildings. By designing for disassembly and ensuring that building materials can be easily repurposed or recycled, the construction sector can play a pivotal role in advancing the circular economy and addressing pressing global environmental issues. These initiatives not only contribute to resource conservation but also promote innovation and resilience within the construction industry.
Strategies for circular design
Incorporate a circular design model and economy principles within your design ideas. There is no easy way to develop products without waste or pollution. This circular economics model is a three-step plan which focuses largely on three main principles: Analyzing a successful Case Study of Circular Design in Practice highlights several techniques often found to be more consistently successful. This document lists seven strategic strategies.
Designing for inner loops
Prioritize high value options. The circular economic systems diagram is arranged in the following order: reuse, sharing, manufacturing and refurbishment sit closer at the center of multiple materials loops while production process recycling stands the most distant. In general, the closer the loop is towards the centre the better the solution is. There is no wonder therefore many successful circular designs have the advantage of prioritising these inner loops in circular economics.
Moving from products to services
Are there any real requirements for ownership? Central for the circular business model in economic theory is a change in access / ownership and understanding that a user will often need only access for a short time before the product becomes available to the customer or is returned by the provider for a replacement. A number of businesses built around the idea were established over the past few years which provided all manner of goods and solutions to the client base for short-term use rather than selling for a lifetime.
References and Where to Learn More
Discover circular design in Don Norman’s book Design for a Better World: Meaningful Sustainability, Humanity centered. More information about Designing for a Better World is available from the Resource DatabaseWiki web page. Learn more about the author on JND.org. What is circular design solutions what are some of the advantages of a circular economy? (10 seconds) See the circular economy here.
Design for upgradability and easy repair
The strategy aims at bringing together design ideas to the market that can be quickly modified over time. Changing a product may offer new features that attract consumers and keep it in circular economics. The strategy also aims to create a design that is easily repaired, allows products to resume usage in the market and avoids the end of landfills.
Reducing the material footprint
Reducing the carbon footprint by avoiding waste is another successful strategy that can be achieved by reducing their Carbon Footprints. Professor Philippe Block says materials must function exactly like they should. Advanced computational design techniques allow the reduction eliminate waste in materials, demonstrating that Philippe Block has demonstrated it.
Safe and circular material choices
What were the materials used in making something? Not all materials are suitable for circular economy. Some contain substances which may be harmful to our health. Additives have traditionally been used unintentionally or for performance reasons — like increasing flexibility and durability — and they can be used in different ways. Choose materials that are safe and circular, improve your user experience, and ensure your products and services fit with the various circular design methods and economy. A Circular Design Guide provides an array of ways and tools for making safe circular materials choices.
Learn More about Circular Design process
For information about circular design, take our course: Design for an Improved World by Don Norman. Donald Norman: Creating better worlds – Meaningful, Sustainable, Humanitarian. Cambridge: Mass Press. 2023. Read the full essay on Don Norman at JND.org. Please see “How do we create a circular economy” video interview with Dr. Ellen MacArthur. A good overview from Ellen MacArthur Foundation is provided for Circular design.
