Product Design For A Circular Economy: A Practical Guide

Arguably, the most pressing issue our planet will face in the next 100 years is addressing the massive human-created impacts from the last 100 years. Product designers have a lot to answer for. With so much information and opinion about “sustainability” and the “circular economy,” how can a product designer cut through the chatter and the greenwashing to make informed, impactful design decisions in their daily practice?

What is the circular economy?

In short, it is an economy that is restorative and regenerative by design, in which economic activity builds and rebuilds overall system health. The concept recognizes the importance of the economy working effectively at all scales—for big and small businesses, organizations, and individuals, globally and locally. It is based on three principles:

1. Eliminate waste and pollution
2. Circulate products and materials
3. Regenerate nature

This event was a panel discussion to help the product design community understand the importance of their role in the circular economy and to lay the groundwork for a practical approach to sustainability in new product development.

Panelists discussed highlights from their professional experiences about the complexity of implementing best practices in design for a circular economy and shared examples of how product designers can drive positive change.

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