C2.2 Design for a circular economy

Introduction

The circular economy offers a sustainable alternative to the linear "take-make-dispose" model by creating closed-loop systems that continuously repurpose resources. This approach eliminates waste and pollution throughout a product's lifecycle, challenging designers to focus on longevity, repairability, and easy disassembly.

Guiding Question

How do designers minimize waste and reduce product waste and pollution?

The circular economy offers a sustainable alternative to the traditional linear "take-make-dispose" model. At its core, the circular economy aims to create closed-loop systems where resources are continuously repurposed, eliminating waste and pollution throughout a product's lifecycle. This approach challenges designers to rethink how products are developed, manufactured, used, and eventually reintegrated into the system.

In practice, this means designing products for longevity, upgradability, and easy disassembly. For instance, Fairphone has pioneered a modular smartphone design that allows users to easily repair and upgrade individual components, significantly extending the device's lifespan and reducing electronic waste. Similarly, Philips' "Light as a Service" model retains ownership of lighting equipment, incentivizing the company to create durable, energy-efficient products that can be maintained, repaired, and ultimately recycled. These examples illustrate how circular design principles can be applied to complex electronic products, traditionally associated with rapid obsolescence and disposal.

The incorporation of biodegradable materials plays a crucial role in the circular economy, allowing products to safely return to the natural environment at the end of their useful life. Ecovative Design exemplifies this approach with their mycelium-based packaging materials, which provide a biodegradable alternative to traditional foam packaging. Alongside material innovations, the circular economy emphasizes the importance of recovery and restoration. Patagonia's Worn Wear program, which offers repair services and sells refurbished clothing, demonstrates how companies can extend product lifespans and reduce the need for new resource extraction.

Underpinning these circular economy principles is a reliance on renewable energy sources. IKEA's commitment to energy independence through investments in wind and solar power illustrates how companies can align their energy use with circular economy goals. By powering circular systems with renewable energy, businesses can minimize their environmental impact and ensure long-term sustainability.

Korean

순환 경제는 전통적인 선형적인 "채취-제조-폐기" 모델에 대한 지속 가능한 대안을 제공합니다. 핵심적으로, 순환 경제는 자원이 지속적으로 재활용되는 폐쇄 루프 시스템을 만들어 제품 수명주기 전반에 걸쳐 폐기물과 오염을 제거하는 것을 목표로 합니다. 이러한 접근 방식은 제품이 개발, 제조, 사용되고 최종적으로 시스템에 재통합되는 방식을 재고하도록 디자이너에게 요구합니다.

실제로 이는 제품을 내구성, 업그레이드 가능성 및 쉬운 분해를 위해 설계하는 것을 의미합니다. 예를 들어, Fairphone은 사용자가 개별 구성 요소를 쉽게 수리하고 업그레이드할 수 있는 모듈식 스마트폰 디자인을 개척하여 장치의 수명을 크게 연장하고 전자 폐기물을 줄였습니다. 마찬가지로, Philips의 "Light as a Service" 모델은 조명 장비에 대한 소유권을 유지하여 회사가 유지 보수, 수리 및 궁극적으로 재활용할 수 있는 내구성 있고 에너지 효율적인 제품을 만들도록 유도합니다. 이러한 예는 순환 디자인 원칙이 전통적으로 빠른 노후화와 폐기에 연관된 복잡한 전자 제품에 어떻게 적용될 수 있는지를 보여줍니다.

생분해성 재료의 통합은 순환 경제에서 중요한 역할을 합니다. 제품이 유용한 수명이 끝날 때 자연 환경으로 안전하게 되돌아갈 수 있도록 합니다. Ecovative Design은 기존의 폼 포장재에 대한 생분해성 대안을 제공하는 균사체 기반 포장재로 이러한 접근 방식을 보여줍니다. 재료 혁신과 함께 순환 경제는 회수와 복원의 중요성을 강조합니다. 수리 서비스를 제공하고 리퍼브 제품을 판매하는 Patagonia의 Worn Wear 프로그램은 기업이 제품 수명을 연장하고 새로운 자원 채굴의 필요성을 줄일 수 있는 방법을 보여줍니다.

이러한 순환 경제 원칙을 뒷받침하는 것은 재생 가능 에너지 원에 대한 의존입니다. 풍력과 태양광 발전에 대한 투자를 통해 에너지 독립을 추구하는 IKEA는 기업이 에너지 사용을 순환 경제 목표와 연계할 수 있는 방법을 보여줍니다. 재생 가능 에너지로 순환 시스템에 동력을 공급함으로써 기업은 환경 영향을 최소화하고 장기적인 지속 가능성을 보장할 수 있습니다.

Chinese

循环经济为传统的线性“获取-制造-丢弃”模式提供了一种可持续的替代方案。核心而言，循环经济旨在创造闭环系统，其中资源不断地被重新利用，在整个产品生命周期中消除浪费和污染。这种方法要求设计师重新思考产品如何开发、制造、使用并最终重新融入系统。

在实践中，这意味着设计具有耐用性、可升级性和易于拆卸的产品。例如，Fairphone 倡导了一种模块化智能手机设计，使用户能够轻松地修理和升级单个组件，从而显着延长设备的使用寿命并减少电子垃圾。同样，飞利浦的“光服务”模式保留了对照明设备的所有权，激励公司创造耐用、节能的产品，可以维护、修理并最终回收。这些例子说明了循环设计原则如何应用于传统上与快速过时和处置相关的复杂电子产品。

可生物降解材料的结合在循环经济中发挥着至关重要的作用，使产品在其使用寿命结束时能够安全地回归自然环境。Ecovative Design 通过其基于菌丝体的包装材料证明了这种方法，该材料为传统的泡沫包装提供了可生物降解的替代品。除了材料创新之外，循环经济还强调了回收和修复的重要性。Patagonia 的 Worn Wear 计划提供维修服务和销售翻新服装，展示了企业如何延长产品寿命并减少对新资源开采的需求。

支撑这些循环经济原则的是对可再生能源的依赖。通过对风能和太阳能发电的投资，宜家致力于实现能源独立，展示了企业如何将其能源使用与循环经济目标结合起来。通过可再生能源为循环系统提供动力，企业可以最大限度地减少其环境影响并确保长期可持续性。

C2.2.1: A circular economy is a closed-loop system where resources are continuously repurposed.

Guidance: You should be able to compare and contrast a linear approach and the circular economy.

Linear Economy

The linear economy follows a "take-make-dispose" model, where raw materials are extracted, transformed into products, and ultimately discarded after use. This approach prioritizes short-term profitability and mass production, leading to significant waste generation and environmental pollution. It is characterized by a "throwaway" consumer culture and is vulnerable to resource scarcity and price volatility due to its reliance on finite resources.

Circular Economy

The circular economy adopts a "reduce, reuse, recycle, recover" model aimed at eliminating waste and maximizing resource value throughout a product's lifecycle. It emphasizes long-term sustainability, designing products for durability and recyclability, and minimizing environmental impact. By promoting responsible consumption and creating more resilient business models—often based on services rather than ownership—the circular economy seeks to decouple economic growth from resource consumption, fostering a regenerative system that benefits both the environment and the economy.

Features of a linear economy

Follows a "take-make-dispose" model
Extracts raw materials, manufactures products, and discards them as waste after use
Focuses on short-term profitability and mass production
Results in high waste generation and environmental pollution
Vulnerable to resource scarcity and price volatility
Encourages a "throwaway" consumer culture

Features of a circular economy

Follows a "reduce, reuse, recycle, recover" model
Aims to eliminate waste and maximize resource value
Focuses on long-term sustainability throughout product lifecycles
Minimizes waste and environmental impact
More resilient due to reduced dependence on raw materials
Promotes responsible consumption and product longevity

C2.2.2: The aim of the circular economy is to eliminate waste and pollution throughout all stages of a product’s life cycle.

Guidance: You should be able to discuss how designers can design products in ways that eliminate waste and pollution, including designing for longevity, upgradability, disassembly and dematerialisation.

Designers will apply a range of strategies in order to develop a product for the circular economy. The four main ones are listed below:

Designing for Longevity

This involves creating products that are durable and built to last, reducing the need for frequent replacements.

Strategies:

Use high-quality, durable materials that withstand wear and tear
Implement robust construction methods to enhance product lifespan
Create timeless designs that remain aesthetically appealing over time
Design for easy repair and maintenance
Provide clear care instructions to users
Develop modular designs allowing for component upgrades or replacements

For example, Patagonia designs its outdoor apparel to withstand harsh conditions, often lasting for decades. They also offer repair services to extend the life of their products even further.

Check out this case study on Patagonia's Worn Wear program for recycling and reusing clothing.

Upgradability

This strategy allows products to be updated or improved over time rather than replaced entirely.

Strategies

Create modular product architectures that allow for easy component swaps
Design standardized interfaces for future technological upgrades
Implement software-upgradable features in electronic products
Provide upgrade kits or services to extend product functionality
Design products with easily accessible and replaceable parts

Fairphone has pioneered this approach in the electronics industry with their modular smartphones, allowing users to easily replace specific components like the camera or battery without discarding the entire device.

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Design for Disassembly (DfD)

Ensuring that products can be easily taken apart at the end of their life, facilitating recycling and material recovery.

Strategies:

Use reversible joining methods (e.g., screws instead of glue)
Minimize the number of different materials used in a product
Clearly label materials for easy identification during disassembly
Design products with easily separable components
Create disassembly instructions or guides for users or recyclers

Herman Miller's Aeron chair exemplifies this approach, as it is designed for quick disassembly into recyclable components, with 94% of the chair being recyclable.

Dematerialization

This strategy focuses on reducing the amount of material used in a product while maintaining or improving its functionality.

Strategies:

Optimize product design to use fewer materials without compromising functionality
Utilize digital solutions to replace physical products where possible
Implement lightweight design principles in product development
Use advanced materials that offer the same performance with less mass
Design multifunctional products that replace multiple single-function items

C2.2.3: An objective of the circular economy is to incorporate biodegradable materials.

Guidance: You should be able to discuss why biodegradable materials are a preferred material in a circular economy model.

The incorporation of biodegradable materials is a key objective of the circular economy. Biodegradable materials are those that can be broken down naturally by microorganisms into simple, non-toxic components, typically water, carbon dioxide, and biomass. This characteristic makes them highly desirable in a circular economy model for several important reasons:

However, it's important to note that the use of biodegradable materials also comes with challenges. Designers must consider factors such as the material's performance characteristics, the conditions required for biodegradation, and the appropriate disposal methods to ensure these materials fulfill their sustainable potential.

Real-world examples of biodegradable materials in product design include:

Ecovative's mycelium-based packaging, which uses mushroom roots to create fully biodegradable alternatives to styrofoam.
LEGO's initiatives to develop plant-based plastics for their iconic bricks, aiming to make their products more sustainable.
Footwear companies like Allbirds using biodegradable materials such as merino wool and eucalyptus fiber in their shoe designs.
Food packaging made from seaweed or other plant-based materials that can safely decompose after use.

Benefits of using biodegradeable materials in product design

Soil Health

When biodegradable materials decompose, they can contribute to soil health by adding organic matter and nutrients. This is especially beneficial in agricultural applications or in products designed to break down in natural environments.

Reduced Carbon Footprint:

The production and disposal of biodegradable materials often have a lower carbon footprint compared to their non-biodegradable counterparts, aligning with the circular economy's goal of minimizing environmental impact.

Innovation Driver

The push for biodegradable materials drives innovation in material science and product design, leading to new, sustainable solutions across various industries.

Resource Conservation

Many biodegradable materials are derived from renewable resources, such as plant-based materials. This helps conserve non-renewable resources and reduces dependence on fossil fuel-based materials.

Reduced Environmental Impact

Biodegradable materials significantly reduce the long-term environmental impact of products. Unlike conventional plastics or other non-biodegradable materials that can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, biodegradable materials decompose relatively quickly, minimizing pollution and ecosystem disruption.

Closing the Loop

In a circular economy, the goal is to create closed-loop systems where materials are continuously reused or safely returned to the environment. Biodegradable materials align perfectly with this principle, as they can be composted and returned to the earth as nutrients, completing a natural cycle.

Waste Reduction

By using biodegradable materials, designers can help reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills or pollutes natural environments. This is particularly crucial for single-use or short-lived products that would otherwise contribute to long-term waste accumulation.

C2.2.4: Another objective of the circular economy is to recover and restore products, components and materials.

Guidance: You should be able to discuss how designers can consider the recovery and restoration of products, components and materials through take-back legislation, reuse, repair, recondition or recycling.

The circular economy aims to recover and restore products, components, and materials as a key objective, moving away from the traditional linear "take-make-dispose" model. This approach seeks to maximize the value of resources by keeping them in use for as long as possible. Designers play a crucial role in facilitating this process by considering recovery and restoration strategies from the early stages of product development.

Recovery and restoration strategies come in several forms:

Recycling

The process of collecting and processing used materials to create new products, thereby diverting waste from landfills and conserving natural resources by reusing existing materials.

While recycling is lower in the circular economy hierarchy, it's still an important consideration. Designers can choose materials and assembly methods that facilitate easy recycling at the end of a product's life. For example, Herman Miller's Aeron chair is designed with easily separable components made from identifiable materials, allowing for efficient recycling when the chair reaches the end of its usable life.

Take-back legislation

Laws that require manufacturers to accept the return of their products at the end of their life cycle for recycling or proper disposal, ensuring that waste is minimized and materials are recovered.

Designers can create products that comply with and facilitate take-back programs mandated by legislation. For example, the European Union's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive requires manufacturers to take back and recycle electronic products. In response, companies like Dell have implemented global take-back programs, designing their computers and peripherals for easy disassembly and recycling.

Reuse:

The practice of using an item again for its original purpose or a different function, thereby extending its life and reducing the need for new resources.

Designers can create products intended for multiple use cycles. A great example is the Fairphone, a modular smartphone designed for easy repair and component upgrades. This design allows users to extend the phone's lifespan by replacing only the parts that need updating or repair, rather than discarding the entire device.

Repair

Fixing a product that is broken or malfunctioning, allowing it to be used again rather than discarded, which helps reduce waste and conserve resources

Products can be designed for easy repair, with readily available spare parts and repair instructions. Patagonia, the outdoor clothing company, exemplifies this approach by designing their garments for repairability and providing detailed repair guides to customers. They even offer a repair service to extend the life of their products.

Recondition

The process of restoring a used product to a like-new condition through cleaning, repairing, or replacing parts, thus extending its useful life and reducing the need for new materials.

Designers can create products that are easy to refurbish or recondition to a "like-new" state. For instance, Caterpillar's remanufacturing program takes used engines and other components, completely disassembles them, and rebuilds them to original specifications. This process is facilitated by initial design choices that make disassembly and reconditioning more efficient.

To effectively implement these strategies, designers should consider:

Modular design

Creating products with easily separable and replaceable components facilitates repair, upgrade, and recycling.

The Framework Laptop is an excellent example, designed with modular components that users can easily replace or upgrade.

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Material selection

Choosing materials that are durable, recyclable, or biodegradable

Adidas has developed the Futurecraft.Loop running shoe, made entirely from a single material (TPU) that can be fully recycled into new shoes at the end of its life.

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Standardization

Using standard components and fasteners across product lines to simplify repair and recycling processes.

This approach is evident in Fairphone's design, where components are standardized and easily accessible.

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Labelling Information provision

Incorporating clear labeling and providing detailed information about materials and disassembly procedures.

Electrolux provides detailed recycling information for its appliances, facilitating proper end-of-life treatment.

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Durability

Designing products to withstand multiple use cycles.

Patagonia's approach to creating long-lasting outdoor gear is a prime example of this strategy.

Check out this case study on Patagonia's Worn Wear program for recycling and reusing clothing.

C2.2.4 Circular Design Strategies

C2.2.5: The circular economy relies on the use of renewable energy.

Guidance: You should be able to identify renewable energy sources and discuss why the circular economy relies on the use of renewable energy.

Renewable energy plays a key role in the circular economy, forming the foundation for sustainable resource use and environmental preservation. Renewable energy sources align perfectly with the fundamental principles of the circular economy - reducing waste and consumption of finite resources. Unlike fossil fuels, renewable sources like solar and wind are virtually infinite and are not consumed during energy generation. This makes them inherently circular in nature.

Key renewable energy sources that support the circular economy include:

Solar Energy: Photovoltaic panels and solar thermal systems
Wind Energy: Both onshore and offshore wind turbines
Geothermal Energy: Harnessing heat from the earth's core
Biomass Energy: Using organic matter, particularly waste products, for energy production
Tidal and Wave Energy: Harnessing the power of ocean movements

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While renewable energy plays an important role in the circular economy, it is not without its environmental challenges. Check out this article from the Ellen McCarthur Foundation that outlines these challenges and some strategies to address them.

Article: We need to talk about renewables

"The renewable energy sector promises to tap into limitless sources of energy while tackling pollution and climate change. However, the materials needed to capture and store this energy are finite. As the industry scales at pace, renewable infrastructure designed within a ‘take-make-waste’ linear system could contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss. To prevent this solution becoming a problem, renewable energy infrastructure needs to be built for a circular economy"

By focusing on renewable energy designers can bring about some of the benefits of the circular economy.

Reducing Environmental Impact

The circular economy aims to minimize negative environmental impacts. Renewable energy sources produce little to no greenhouse gas emissions during operation, supporting the circular economy's goal of regenerating natural systems and mitigating climate change.

Resource Conservation

By relying on renewable energy, the circular economy reduces dependence on finite fossil fuel resources. This conserves these resources for other essential uses and reduces the environmental damage associated with their extraction and processing.

Supporting Sustainable Manufacturing

Renewable energy is crucial for powering the manufacturing processes in a circular economy. It enables the production of goods with a lower carbon footprint, which is essential for truly circular products.

Enabling Circular Technologies

Many circular economy technologies, such as recycling processes or remanufacturing facilities, require energy input. Powering these with renewable energy ensures that the entire lifecycle of products remains as sustainable as possible.

Linking Questions

How can high-fidelity prototyping techniques ensure a product can enter the circular economy? (A2.2)
Which manufacturing techniques should be avoided when designing products for a circular economy? (A4.1)
To what extent does material selection affect a product’s suitability as part of a circular economy? (B3.1)
How can modular electronic systems aid a design for a circular economy strategy? (B3.4)
To what extent does the selection of a particular production system prevent a product from being suitable for integration into a circular economy? (B4.1)
Why are some products that are developed using a design for sustainability strategy not suitable to be part of a circular economy? (C2.1)
How can the suitability of a product for a circular economy be determined through product analysis and evaluation? (C3.1)
To what extent are products designed for a circular economy likely to result in a positive outcome of a life-cycle analysis? (C3.2)
To what extent do design for manufacture strategies promote a design for a circular economy strategy? (C4.1

Linking questions are questions that help you connect different parts of your design technology studies. They can show how ideas and skills are related to each other.

Why are linking questions important?

Linking questions can help you:

Understand the big picture: See how different parts of design technology fit together.
Learn more: Connect new information to what you already know.
Show your knowledge: Demonstrate your understanding of design technology in a deeper way.

How can you use linking questions?

Connect subtopics: Find relationships between different parts of the course
Use your skills: Show how you can apply design technology skills in different areas.
Think about the nature of design technology: Consider the big ideas and principles that guide design technology.
Apply to the real world: See how design technology can be used in real-life situations.

References and Resources

“Circular Economy and the Clean Energy Transition | Future Earth.” Futureearth.org, 16 Dec. 2022, futureearth.org/2022/12/16/circular-economy-and-the-clean-energy-transition/.
“Circular Product Design.” TU Delft, www.tudelft.nl/io/over-io/afdelingen/sustainable-design-engineering/section-design-for-sustainability/circular-product-design.
Conny Bakker, and Et Al. Products That Last : Product Design for Circular Business Models. London ; London, Bis Publishers, 2019.
Pennington, James. “3 Ways the Circular Economy Is Vital for Energy Transition.” World Economic Forum, 23 Feb. 2022, www.weforum.org/stories/2022/02/3-ways-circular-economy-renewables-energy-transition/. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Plumb, Jon. “Designing for a Circular Economy: Reducing Waste and Enabling Sustainable Design Practices.” Cambridge Design Technology, 4 July 2023, www.cambridge-dt.com/designing-for-a-circular-economy-reducing-waste-and-enabling-sustainable-design-practices/.
Revivack. “Benefits of the Circular Economy.” Revivack, 9 Feb. 2024, revivack.com/benefits-of-the-circular-economy-returning-products-with-revivack-and-recovering-materials-in-an-orderly-manner/. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Robertson-Fall, Tansy. “We Need to Talk about Renewables.” Www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org, Nov. 2022, www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/we-need-to-talk-about-renewables/part-1.
Stretton, Chris. “An Introduction to Circular Product Design and Business Models.” Circularise.com, 2023, www.circularise.com/blogs/circular-product-design-and-business-models.
“Why Circularity Is Key to a Sustainable Energy Transition - Ramboll Group.” Ramboll.com, 2023, www.ramboll.com/en-gb/insights/resource-management-and-circular-economy/why-circularity-is-key-to-a-sustainable-energy-transition. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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