How can you design products that minimize the use of raw materials and maximize their value?

2 Why is circular design important for raw materials?

Raw materials are essential for many industries and sectors, but they also pose significant challenges for sustainability. According to the European Commission, raw materials account for 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions, 90% of biodiversity loss, and 80% of water stress. Moreover, the demand for raw materials is expected to increase by 50% by 2030, putting more pressure on natural resources and ecosystems. Circular design can help reduce the environmental and social impacts of raw materials, by minimizing the extraction and consumption of virgin materials, increasing the efficiency and quality of production processes, and enhancing the value and utility of products and materials.

3 How to apply circular design principles for raw materials?

When designing with a circular approach, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, certain principles can be used to guide the process. These include designing for durability and longevity, modularity and compatibility, recyclability and biodegradability, functionality and service, as well as circularity and systems thinking. Durable products should be easy to repair and maintain, while modular designs can be easily assembled and disassembled. Additionally, products should be made from materials compatible with existing recycling or composting infrastructure. Furthermore, focus should be placed on delivering desired functions or services, rather than physical objects. Lastly, products should be part of a larger system that considers all actors and elements involved in order to contribute to the regeneration of natural and social capital.

4 What are some examples of circular design for raw materials?

Circular design for raw materials is becoming increasingly popular, with many companies, organizations, and initiatives applying circular design principles to create more sustainable and circular products and services. For example, Fairphone is a modular smartphone that uses recycled and fair-trade materials, Ecover is a brand of cleaning products that uses plant-based and biodegradable ingredients, Mud Jeans is a denim brand that uses organic and recycled cotton, Adidas x Parley is a collaboration between the sportswear brand and the environmental organization that uses plastic waste from the oceans to make shoes, clothing, and accessories, and Cradle to Cradle is a certification program that evaluates products based on five criteria.

5 How to get started with circular design for raw materials?

If you're interested in learning more about circular design for raw materials or applying it to your own products or projects, there are a variety of resources and tools available. For example, the Circular Design Guide website, developed by IDEO and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, offers practical methods, tools, and case studies. The Circular Economy Toolkit website, created by the University of Cambridge, provides guidance, examples, and tools to implement circular economy principles. The Circulab network of circular design experts can provide workshops, training, and consulting services using a circular design canvas and other tools. Additionally, the Circularity Indicators tool measures the circularity of products, services, or companies based on material flows and value retention. Finally, the OpenIDEO platform holds a global competition called the Circular Design Challenge that invites designers, innovators, and entrepreneurs to submit solutions for circular design.