Designing for the Circular Economy: Incorporating Sustainable Design Principles in Product Development
Part of the global efforts of shifting the course of climate change focuses on developing strategies for promoting responsible production/consumption and reducing negative human impact on nature. In this sense, the circular economy model seeks to optimize production systems by reducing environmental impact and extending the life cycle of products while maintaining rentability. This model aims to achieve three main goals: minimize waste production, promote recycled materials, and regenerate natural environments. These goals align with sustainability principles that foster the balance between human activities and environmental preservation. In efforts to put an end to the current environmental crisis, companies in all industries need to start redesigning consumption models toward more sustainable goals. Therefore, sustainability principles should be part of every stage of the product development process.
What are the principles of sustainable design?
The process of Product development involves the selection of materials, the design of physical forms, steps of assembly, quality improvement, usage adequation, and many other aspects. That is why to produce sustainable products and promote a circular economy, all these aspects need to be considered during all Design stages. Even though Sustainable design is still considered a new trend, these are the main principles to consider:
Product durability: products must be designed to support usage and fatigue, and most importantly, products should have some level of repair maintainability to reduce waste production. This principle is opposite to Programmed Obsolescence (PO), a designing technique used in all manufacturing niches for decades. Some manufacturers intentionally develop and design products with short life cycles to increase production and consumption. Nevertheless, governments have started to understand the importance of reducing PO by establishing laws against this practice. For example, in France the Anti-Waste and Circular Economy Law could punish with two years in prison or a €300,000 fine those manufacturers who ‘intentionally limit the lifetime of a product by design, for economic reasons'.
Cost-effective solutions: Many design and manufacturing models work around minimum-waste production while increasing rentability. That is the case with the Lean Manufacturing model. While many companies are concerned about changing their production methods because they see it as an economic stepback, Lean manufacturing practices have helped manufacturers increase their net income. By worrying about waste production, designers can develop products suitable for each manufacturing process and thus reduce losses and scrap production.
Recyclability of materials: many available raw materials are less harmful to the environment than conventional single-use and non-biodegradable materials. Sustainable design involves the use of recycled materials without compromising the quality and durability of products. For example, the ban on single-use plastic in many economies has created the opportunity to develop eco-friendly alternatives with excellent market acceptance. Manufacturers must adapt their products to these new materials and redesign their thicknesses and shapes for the same purpose.
Usability: A designed product should be tested and evaluated before entering the market to ensure it is ready for use. A product well adjusted to usage reduces energy consumption to its minimum, minimizes the waste products on its package and disposal, and offers quality performance. These traits involve ergonomic designs, material selection, and forms. By making a product efficient for its usage, the manufacturers can ensure its durability.
Use of renewable energy sources: One of the main traits that make a product sustainable is its availability to be produced with clean energy sources. There are many affordable renewable energy sources in the market, such as wind farms or solar panels. Although some may argue that this does not meet an entire factory’s energy requirements, some stages of production can reduce its consumption by optimizing the forms, materials, and manufacturing steps. That is when sustainable design plays an important role.
Companies implementing sustainable design principles in their product development process
As the environmental crisis awareness increased, manufacturing companies became more concerned about developing products with lower impact without risking rentability. Today the sustainability idea is widespread among all industries, including infrastructure, tech, food, and transportation companies. Some manufacturers even consider sustainably designed traits as assets that add value to their products. This is the case for companies like New Belgium Brewing, Tesla, Nespresso, Nike and H&M. These last three companies stand out for their successful sustainable products and activities promoting a circular economy.
Nike’s Move to Zero campaign launched a complete line of products with recycled raw materials, such as reused polyester, cotton, and rubber. According to Nike, at least 80% of their production waste is recycled back into their products and other derivative goods. Moreover, they are committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in their factories and the clean water volume used during their textile dyeing processes.
The coffee machines company Nespresso initiated the AAA Sustainable Quality Program in 2003, dedicated to the sustainable development of farming-agronomist communities. Aside from their social responsibilities, Nespresso has committed to making their aluminum coffee capsules recyclable and, they are now certified with the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI). This certification ensures that the company is responsible for sourcing the aluminum used as raw material.
H and M, on the other hand, launched the Let’s Close the Loop campaign with a recycling initiative and a reward-based strategy where customers get discounts for providing used clothes that can be restored. If H and M cannot fix and resell the garments, they will transform the fabric and components into raw materials for new goods. With this practice, the company is closing the loop and creating a circular economy where products are reused at the end of their life cycle.
What are the challenges of implementing sustainable design principles in the current global economy?
The main challenges sustainable design principles face are:
Public policies and regulations: many countries continue to encourage non-sustainable production and use of fossil energy due to political alliances. Plus, current environmental regulations may not be enough to promote sustainability in the long term. Thus, laws and regulations should continue their development as the world changes.
Poverty and Unemployment: One of the main goals of sustainability is to eliminate poverty by creating a circular economy with job opportunities for all. For underdeveloped countries, adjusting to this new economic model is a great challenge. Many of these countries’ populations do not have access to clean water, food, and electricity.
Costs of renewable energy sources: The initial costs of installing renewable energy sources such as solar power, wind, and geothermal energy are usually higher compared with fossil fuel.
The path to establishing a strong circular economy is still in its early stages, but thanks to technological development and global collaboration we have made progress. The contribution of manufacturers and product designers is key to achieving sustainability goals. Sustainable design in product development can help reduce waste production, and fossil fuel energy consumption, improve the quality of products, and promote economic growth at all levels of society.