How can you design products to be circular, regenerative, and zero-waste?

One needs to be cautious to put these 3 terms in one question or sentence. These 3 concepts have a common objective: sustainability and raw material efficiency. But they approach it from a different perspective: efficiently use of resources (circular), improving ecosystems (regenarative) and eliminating waste (zero waste). The final objective should be net zero emmissions. Having one common goal (zero emissions, or lower emissions) and looking how each of those approaches can contribute, might be more efficient than putting them in one basket. In that case you need to look at the total life cycle and supply chain of a product including different emission classes (1,2&3).

Yes this is a good start. Also, the starting point, before product design, should actually be a business model design that de-materializes the solution as much as possible. Like renting, sharing, product-as-a-service or just plain old service. Whatever the designs turns out to be, do an LCA to assess if it is in fact sustainable or not.

A ACV é um primeiro passo necessário para o desenvolvimento de produtos circulares. Sem o conhecimento dos impactos envolvidos na cadeia produtiva e de consumo, n?o é possível se adotar a abordagem circular. Vale ressaltar a importancia de se avaliar principalmente o resíduo pós consumo de maneira eficaz, pois algumas vezes a destina??o dos resíduos é considerada circular mas ainda possui fra??es dispostas em Aterros e sistemas de logística reversa que n?o s?o eficazes.

Start with the concept of true lifetime guarantee (eg 100 years of operability from the product). What does it mean and what does it require from the product and the company and it's operations? What is the problem that your product solves? How will you produce it snd how will you communicate to people? Then consider if the product you provide is a physical or a service, leased item. Do you want to keep repair, retrofit and recycling in your own hands - or create an ecosystem around your business? How will you earn from making the product available to customers? Once you have all the answers to even the trickiest questions, the business still appears sustainable from environmental (incl people and profit) perspective, you are ready to go!

Based on the business model underlying your product, you need to choose between two fundamentally different design priorities: either design the product primarily for durability or for cyclability. If you put the focus on making the product physically more durable, you may need to compromise on cyclability. A very durable product may be, for example, harder to disassemble. If you prioritize cyclability, you could put the focus on making the product modular, easy to disassemble and recycle, or bio-degradable - potentially making compromises on durability. You need to perform a life cycle analysis for your product to understand which priority works best to make a specific product most circular, regenerative, and zero-waste.

Sustainable procurement and sourcing is crucial and this will help you yo circulate it back into the economy; design for safety, design for long life, repurpose, evrn recycling cant happen unless its is made of sustainable materials

for sure good starting points for the design but consider carefully the return-loop reality with logistics of small "used" quantities to be handled - treated or returned. Without this you will be greenwashing a possibility that is not really executed.

In the current context, it has almost become cool or fashionable to use disposables. Do we need disposables everywhere? The answer would be NO. If one thinks using paper cups Eco friendly, just because they are disposable is a gross misunderstanding. If one looks into process of manufacturing paper, it produces very highly polluting wastes. Using ceramic and metal cups , tumblers and all such things is much more sustainable. We are in digital age and I am sure for purely commercial reasons, all the electronic gadgets manufactured today leave very small scope for repairs. The biggest factor in any such areas is actually the human behaviour and a sustainable behaviour is most important and perhaps most ignored factor .

Designing for durability and repairability involves creating products that can withstand wear and tear while allowing for easy repairs and replacements. This approach uses high-quality materials and solid construction techniques to ensure longevity, with modular designs that permit the replacement of individual components rather than entire products. Accessibility is key, with products designed to be easily disassembled using common tools, facilitating repairs and upgrades. Companies support repairability by providing repair guides, readily available spare parts, and partnerships with repair services. Designing for durability and repairability reduces waste, extends product life, and contributes to more sustainable approach to consumption.

Take-back schemes would help in increasing recycling rates through incentives offered to consumers and producers, consumers can get redeemable points for returning products for recycling or composting and recyclers incentivised to collect more by not being charged collection/tipping fees or reduced rates, and producers can be incentivised through reduced tax rates comparable to virgin materials.

Recycle/Compost: Recycle or compost products and materials that cannot be reused and avoid sending them to landfills or incinerators. For example, you can separate and collect different types of waste, use mechanical or chemical processes to transform waste into new materials, or use biological processes to decompose organic waste into soil or fertilizer. - Recover: Recover materials or energy from products that cannot be recycled or composted and use them for other purposes. For example, you can use pyrolysis or gasification to convert waste into fuels, chemicals, or electricity, or use anaerobic digestion to produce biogas from organic waste.

The most important things to consider in designing a new product are to start from thinking how can the lifetime of the product becextended in the most environmentally friendly and convenient way. Without convenience no-one will do anything. Keep the product as simple as possible, make it easily deconstructable and use materials that withstand de- and reconstructing and are preferably mechanically recyclable.

The paper by Mang & Reed (2019) is important in this context. The basis for regenerative design or "living system design" is systematic thinking and an ecological worldview. Regenerative organizations are aware of the complexity and interaction between systems: small changes in one part of the system can have a significant impact on other parts of the system. They recognize that the earth's and society's resources are limited and take into account times and cycles of regeneration accordingly.

An example would be in the Food and Beverage sector, can packaging be designed to go through the same waste cycle as food was i.e composting, this not only builds up the soil (nutrient, structure, carbon sequestering capacity) but also reduces the need upstream for fossil based single use packaging (separate waste stream) and industrial fertilizer use (energy & resources used). Also reduces waste collection costs downstream, as less goes to landfill or to a recycling facility (more resources saved), with less pollution, medical costs is reduced due to reduced medical issues associated with waste (air pollution etc)

Design for regeneration involves creating products, systems, and processes that actively restore and rejuvenate the environment. This approach goes beyond sustainability, aiming to give back to ecosystems and communities. It emphasizes using biodegradable and renewable materials, designing circular systems that support recycling and reuse, and incorporating renewable energy sources. It also involves eco-systems thinking, focusing on biodiversity and natural resource management. Regenerative design includes social aspects, such as fair labor practices and community engagement, ensuring a positive impact from production through end-of-life. Ultimately, it promotes a lifecycle that contributes to environmental and social regeneration.

Implementing regenerative practices in the supply chain can contribute to a circular economy. In an agricultural project, I advised on integrating regenerative farming practices, which not only provided sustainable raw materials but also helped in rejuvenating the ecosystem, thereby supporting a holistic circular approach. Educating consumers about product end-of-life options is vital. In a campaign with a clothing retailer, we included information on garment labels about how to recycle or responsibly dispose of the items, encouraging consumer participation in the circular economy. Utilising waste materials in new products is a cornerstone of circular design.

Designing products to be circular, regenerative, and zero waste involves using sustainable materials, minimizing resource consumption, and promoting recyclability. For instance, opting for biodegradable or easily recyclable materials reduces waste. Implementing modular design allows components to be easily replaced or upgraded, extending product lifecycles. Designing for disassembly enables efficient recycling. Exemplifying circularity, some companies promote repair programs, reduce waste through recycled materials, and encourage customers to return used products for recycling. Embracing such strategies ensures products contribute positively to the environment, fostering a regenerative and zero-waste approach in the product life cycle.

In circular design, grasping the WASTE HEIRARCHY is vital. It's more than a concept; it's our guide to sustainable design. Key? Durability and modularity. These qualities let products be reused and repaired many times, fighting the throwaway culture in manufacturing. Recycling and composting are often viewed as ideal ends for products, but they're energy-intensive and often devalue the product. Think of your product as '100 energy bucks' worth. Recycling might drop its value to '50-75 bucks' after 'spending' 20 on the process. Not the best option, right? The real challenge? Shifting from linear to circular thinking. We need to see the entire lifecycle of a product, maximizing its value at every stage.

One of the more important principles to design products in the circular way, is to involve the community. This is normally the less treaden path. Community Engagement. Involve communities in the design process to ensure products align with local needs and preferences. This can lead to increased acceptance and better utilization of products. Community engagement ensures that circular economy initiatives are not only environmentally sound but also socially and economically relevant. It fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility, creating a more holistic and impactful approach to sustainable product design.

If you dont plan a circular business model to enhance recovery then circularity cant happen... no point having a green product and then it goes to landfill.. post industrial and post consumer recovery is a condition to enable circularity and close the loop.