How can organizational design support circular economy principles?

Organizational design can support circular economy principles by fostering cross-functional collaboration, integrating sustainable practices into workflows, and aligning incentives with resource efficiency and waste minimization.

O design organizacional pode criar uma cultura corporativa que prioriza a circularidade, introduzindo políticas e valores que enfatizam a sustentabilidade e o ciclo de vida dos produtos. Por exemplo, em minha experiência, integrar princípios de design sustentável nas fases iniciais de desenvolvimento de produto garante que a circularidade seja considerada desde o início.

Organizational design can be a powerful tool for embedding circular economy principles by adopting a circular vision at its core. This vision shifts the organization’s purpose and strategy toward sustainable, regenerative practices, inspiring teams to think beyond the traditional “take-make-dispose” model. With the right design, we can structure workflows, roles, and incentives that support reuse, recycling, and resource efficiency. It’s about creating a culture where circular thinking isn’t just encouraged but embedded in everyday decisions, empowering everyone to innovate and contribute to a more sustainable future.

A circular vision isn't about ending up where you started but about how the organization increases effectiveness with efficiency along each point of the circular curve in the eyes of those it serves. Each point of that curve represents a stakeholder and at each point the organization recognizes the value that is desired and intended. Students of martial arts or eastern traditions will recognize the "enso" - a circular, imperfect path that is open to improvement while making continuous progress toward the intended outcomes of each stakeholder.

Redesenhar modelos de negócios para incluir práticas como leasing de produtos, reciclagem e remanufatura pode estender a vida útil dos produtos e minimizar o desperdício. Trabalhei com empresas que implementaram programas de retorno de produtos para reciclagem e remanufatura, o que efetivamente fechou o ciclo de vida dos produtos.

The transition and progressive implementation of a circular model requires effort of management, which must manage the resulting complexity. We need a strategic vision and continuous attention to four levers: design, business model, reverse networks and so-called "system enablers" factors. Moving to circular is a challenge for businesses and requires, in fact, numerous changes, including the transition from non-renewable to renewable energy sources, from the use of toxic chemical components to their elimination, from lots of waste to zero. And for this we also need a paradigm shift at an organizational level: to readjust the logic that guides the company from strategy to production.

Organizational design can be a powerful ally in embracing circular economy principles. By structuring your business around circular models—like product-as-a-service, modular design, and resource recovery—you’re not only creating sustainable practices but also unlocking value at every stage of a product’s life. This approach extends product life, reduces waste, and fosters customer loyalty. With an organizational design focused on durability and regeneration, you set up systems that cut costs, boost revenues, and position you as a forward-thinking brand. It’s about building a business that’s not just profitable but purpose-driven and resilient.

Organizational design can be a powerful ally in embracing circular economy principles. By structuring your business around circular models—like product-as-a-service, modular design, and resource recovery—you’re not only creating sustainable practices but also unlocking value at every stage of a product’s life. This approach extends product life, reduces waste, and fosters customer loyalty. With an organizational design focused on durability and regeneration, you set up systems that cut costs, boost revenues, and position you as a forward-thinking brand. It’s about building a business that’s not just profitable but purpose-driven and resilient.

O design organizacional pode incentivar comportamentos circulares alinhando os interesses dos funcionários e parceiros com os objetivos de sustentabilidade. Implementar sistemas de recompensas para equipes que alcan?am metas de redu??o de resíduos é um método que observei ser eficaz.

Ironically, "circular" as in going round and round without an end point or outcome is often how collaboration feels. Both under-inclusion AND over-inclusion are threats - one prizes efficiency over effectiveness but fails without input; the other values effectiveness over efficiency but fails without progress. In this model of Circular collaboration, however, the objective is to add value AND shed inefficiency at each point on the curve by gathering relevant inputs for the purpose of streamlining and improving the ideas. "Circular" in this model is more what students of martial arts will recognize as an "enso" - a circular, imperfect path that is open to improvement while making continuous progress toward an intended outcome.

Promover parcerias entre diferentes departamentos e até com outras empresas pode facilitar o compartilhamento de recursos e a reutiliza??o de materiais. Por exemplo, já vi a eficácia de programas de mentorias cruzadas que incentivam a troca de conhecimentos sobre práticas circulares entre empresas.