How do you incorporate circular economy thinking into your design education and training?

My Master's in sustainability from GCNYC equipped me with essential tools for circular solutions, but there are several ways to gain this knowledge starting with curiosity. At Alternew, we're applying these practices to extend clothing lifespan and reduce industry impact. Circular Economy Principles: We focus on: Clothing Longevity: Durability, repairability, extended use. Waste Reduction: Efficient material use and repair services. Education: Educating consumers and demonstrating economic viability of sustainable practices, pushing toward a circular future one seam at a time.

Circular Economy is a practices of Reduce, Reuse ,Refurbish and Recycle, which required to create a loop where dependency on mining or the virgin product get shifted toward Recycled or secondary materials. For eg:- Cradle to Grave is representation of linear Economy. Cradle to Cradle is representation of Circular Economy. Here 'Cradle is Manufacturing', we all know that our earth has got finite resources, so it is our responsibility to practices circular economy and preserve these resources for future generation.

The circular economy is an economic system focused on minimizing waste and making the most of resources. It operates on three key principles: -Designing out waste and pollution by ensuring products are created with sustainability in mind. -Keeping products and materials in use through recycling, reusing, and remanufacturing. -Regenerating natural systems by promoting processes that support biodiversity and reduce environmental impact. For example, the European Union reported that by 2020, transitioning to a circular economy could reduce carbon emissions by 56% and generate €1.8 trillion in economic benefits, significantly cutting waste and preserving natural resources .

Circular economy is a sustainable system designed to reduce waste and pollution by keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible. It focuses on designing products to be reused or recycled, rather than disposed of, and aims to regenerate natural resources. By following this approach, we can create more value while minimizing environmental impact.

On a planet of finite resources, the circular economy is not optional, it is inevitable. Its implementation will provide world economies with unprecedented opportunities, through the creation of reverse logistics networks, new processes, and new industries using the recovered resources... Restructuring economies to become circular will moreover bring with it enormous environmental benefits. - Hermann Erdmann, CEO, REDISA Considering 80% of a products environmental impact is locked at the design stage, it's very important to design for low-waste, low-impact materials and process, longevity and recyclability.

My advice for designers, wanting to be more circular, is to realize that this is a process. New materials are being developed every day, new manufacturing methods and new recycling tech. If what you need is not available today then keep current as it will hopefully be soon. The second piece of advice is get more knowledgeable on what materials you use. If you cannot understand what is in the Bill of Materials, how can you design for circularity?

80% of the impact of everything we make and consume is decided at the design stage. So start at the very beginning, to design out that impact rather than waiting at the end of a rubbish bin to do something about it. + Material choice for reuse and recycling +Repairability and easily upgradable parts That is the opportunity for design. Think Fairphone less Apple Phone. Understanding the circular economy is vital skills for every designer and equally everybody can be trained in design skills to reimagine everything we need to be better for people and the planet. This is the redesign of everything era.

Designers in training need to understand that every material product they bring to bear will have an environmental (and social) impact (positive or negative) and that impact is important to surface through various frameworks, tools, and methodologies. We have finite resources (and in many cases our demand for those resources have extended what the Earth can provide) so we must design within these limitations.

It's the foundation for it. Design school teaching needs to promote the goal of extended use and reuse to inform textile choices and overall design possibilities. All new undergrads need to be trained for the circular economy. They need to create within that framework. That's when we will see a systemic shift.

During the design phase, you have the ability to influence the way the product or service will be (re)used, shared, repaired and up(cycled) at the end. In fact, it is the most important phase in the complete product lifecycle. One way to improve the design phase is for designers to really emerge in the later phases of the product. Go visit customers, look what happens, visit waste facilities etc. This will inform very important decisions.

Incorporate circular economy principles into design education by revising curricula to include life cycle analysis and sustainability. Offer workshops where students design with recycled materials and create fully recyclable products. Partner with circular-focused companies to provide real-world case studies and internships. Utilize simulation software in courses to model environmental impacts of design choices, fostering practical and innovative applications of circular principles in student projects.

Incorporating circular economy thinking into design education and training is crucial for advancing sustainable development. It equips designers with the knowledge and skills to create sustainable solutions and promotes a systemic approach to sustainability challenges. While there are challenges, such as resource constraints and the need for systemic change, the benefits of fostering a circular mindset in future designers far outweigh the drawbacks. Through a combination of theoretical education, practical experience, and engagement with the broader community, we can drive the transition to a more sustainable and circular economy.

Make it simple Take-Make-Use-Throw- Waste is linear economy model ( We are good at it. More than two billion metric tons of waste are generated worldwide every year). Circular Economy (CE) is all about Take-Make-Use - Exchange- Reuse . CE is future of Business and Earth. The core of CE is all about mainstreaming sustainable practices in Business and processes to mitigate the challenges of Climate Change. Why? Kimberly Nocholad in her book "Under the Sky We Make" has simplified this in just 5 points: 1. It's warming 2. It's us 3. We are sure. 4. It's bad 5. We can fix it Michael Webber , Professor of Energy Resource at the University of Texas adds 6.But we would better hurry. Now you know why aggressive Climate Action is Urgent.

Incorporating circular economy principles into design education and training is pivotal for fostering innovation in consumer goods and enhancing customer experience. As a professional deeply involved in aftersales service and business development, I've observed firsthand how circular design can significantly reduce waste and extend the lifecycle of products, leading to higher consumer satisfaction and loyalty. By integrating circular economy concepts into design education, future designers and engineers can create products that are environmentally sustainable and economically beneficial for companies and consumers alike

How have we applied the circular economy to design more sustainable products? 1: Explore the circular economy concepts, principles and practices. We developed at Upcycle a circular economy deck, which is basically a game where people see a lot of circular economy practices and it's application by another companies. Make it fun helps to engage people around the theme. 2: Understand what is circular economy and its benefits is good to get people on board to start the journey. 3: Apply: this is the best way to learn, so you have to stimulate your team to learn by doing. Try to deploy circular economy strategies into you product design.

Workforce trained on sustainable circular design will create following advantages: 1) Compliance to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislations 2) Ease of compliance to plastic tax legislations. Savings on plastic tax. 3) Compliance to the targets of using recycled content in packaging 4) Overall saving in the packaging cost 5) Overall reduction in the carbon footprint as well as plastic footprint of the organisation 6) Improved brand reputation and customer loyalty 7) Reduced waste management costs 8) Eligibility for sustainability certifications and awards

The greatest benefit I can think of is that it will open up a whole new world full of opportunities. It allows you to be more creative and innovative in ways that may have seem unimaginable before. Rather than solely focusing on one product, you can now dictate how it will fit into an entire system, what will happen to it going forward, and how it can be a key driver in changing behaviours.

Empower designers and professionals to create products and systems that reduce waste, promote the reuse and recycling of materials, and extend the lifespan of products.

Holistic Creativity: Encourages thinking beyond traditional linear models, sparking innovative solutions that minimize waste and environmental impact. Career Advancement: Positions individuals as leaders in sustainability, boosting employability and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market. Impactful Contributions: Enables professionals to contribute directly to social and environmental well-being through regenerative design practices. By embracing circular design, we not only shape better products but also a better future—one where our work aligns with our values, driving meaningful change. Let's elevate our design practices to champion sustainability, enriching both our careers and the world we live in.

Circular design could be a tool to minimize waste generation and environmental impact in designing, producing, and consuming various products. Materials used: Select safer materials for consumers/users and the environment. Also, ensure that material can be reused or recycled after the end of the product life. Resource Efficiency: Minimizing the resource usage in your designs. Use materials efficiently and consider their impact throughout their life cycle. Durability: Design and create products that are durable, reusable, repairable, and recyclable. It could lead to extended life for the product and reduce the need for constant replacements. Product Efficiency: Reduced power usage could be a value edition to your customers.

When I was younger, I fondly remembered playing SimCity PC games and Monopoly board games. I believe games can be leveraged to introduce fun and engaging circular design education and training. Are there any games that integrate circular economy principles and eco-considerations into designing the most circular "SimCity" within finite resources while facing drastic climate scenarios? Perhaps, this could even be integrated into the school curriculum for our NextGen.

Incorporating circular economy thinking into design education and training is crucial for fostering sustainable consumer experiences. As a professional in the consumer goods industry, I've seen firsthand how circular design can extend the lifecycle of products, reduce waste, and enhance customer satisfaction. By assessing one's current knowledge and setting clear learning objectives, professionals can play a significant role in integrating circular economy principles into their design practices, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable future in consumer goods.

You can start by researching online courses, workshops, and programs that focus on sustainable design principles and circular economy concepts. Look for educational resources offered by reputable organizations, universities, or professional associations. Additionally, consider attending conferences, webinars, and networking events related to circular design to connect with industry experts and like-minded individuals. Finally, explore books, articles, and case studies to deepen your understanding of circular design principles and best practices. Good luck with your learning journey!

To pursue circular design education and training, start by assessing your knowledge and identifying learning gaps. Set clear objectives and explore suitable resources, courses, events, and networks. Plan your learning journey with realistic goals and track your progress, seeking feedback from peers and mentors. While this structured approach enhances creativity, employability, and positive impacts, challenges include potential biases in self-assessment, resource overload, and maintaining consistent progress. Celebrating successes and sharing learnings are crucial for motivation and community building.

The real fuel designers is inspiration, especially during their education. Taking them outside to observe Mother Nature's lifecycle can demonstrate how these principles can be applied in design. It's crucial to show that beauty should not be compromised and encourage finding ways to integrate these insights into actionable designs. With growing skepticism towards corporate greenwashing, it's important to foster open discussions about green initiatives and allow room for debate and challenging questions. Embracing sustainability should be seen as an exciting journey of curiosity and enjoyment, not a burden.