Circularity’s Post

The shift from a linear to a circular economy means a fundamental rethink about value, resources, and long-term resilience. This article breaks down the critical differences between these models, but one line really stood out: “For Miele, long-term thinking means offering customers a ‘20 Years Promise.’” Long-term thinking and circularity go hand in hand. It’s not just about reducing waste; it’s about building trust and creating products that last. More and more businesses are embracing this approach with products designed for longevity, systems that regenerate, and companies that take real responsibility for the life / next life of their products. As sustainability becomes a growing priority for consumers and regulators alike, embracing circularity is no longer optional—it’s expected. The Spaceship Academy Ltd. Craig Vezina, PhD Tod Gimbel #CircularEconomy #LongTermThinking #Sustainability #Innovation #FutureOfBusiness #ResilientEconomy #20YearsPromise https://lnkd.in/e6zQsq_T

Highlights from 2023’s sustainability report – Designing for circularity ♻ We believe circular product development to be the future of design, and one of our key drivers to maximise resource efficiency. Circularity is a regenerative principle for production and consumption, and by incorporating it into our R&D process, we can improve our products’ environmental performance already in the design phase. Our product development is founded on several cornerstones that promote circularity, and we have six prioritised principles we aim for when designing new products. 🔗 Learn more about our sustainability initiatives in 2023’s report: https://bit.ly/3Qk22eb #Circularity #ProductDevelopment #Sustainability #ESG

Highlights from 2023’s sustainability report – Designing for circularity ♻ We believe circular product development to be the future of design, and one of our key drivers to maximise resource efficiency. Circularity is a regenerative principle for production and consumption, and by incorporating it into our R&D process, we can improve our products’ environmental performance already in the design phase. Our product development is founded on several cornerstones that promote circularity, and we have six prioritised principles we aim for when designing new products. 🔗 Learn more about our sustainability initiatives in 2023’s report: https://bit.ly/49RA2FT #Circularity #ProductDevelopment #Sustainability #ESG

When I first started working on Circular Economy 9+ years ago, I didn't know what it was, not that I was working on something that had a name and such movement 😅 Wait, what? For real! My background is in industrial design, strategy and innovation, not sustainability. After my Master's degree, I had roles in product development and engineering, marketing, PR and social media; consumer research and insights, business strategy and consulting; and experimented across different industries from homeware, consumables, packaging, automotive, fashion, and more. I always felt unsatisfied and frustrated about what my skills were contributing to. 🤬 A new glue stick packaging? How about designing a refillable system instead? The next key fob? Why do I have to spend hours sketching the most on-brand curve?? (true story 🚗) The next marketing campaign? Why not showcase brand values instead of the next collection? A new brand acquisition? How about improving the brands we have? But once I discovered circularity, my skills finally contributed to where my values were. I got hooked. ❤️ As a strategic designer and innovator, I fell in love with the circular economy as a space with plenty of opportunities, systemic perspectives and creativity. To me, circularity is about learning from nature and creating a business that thrives within our thriving ecosystem. It's about connecting customers, businesses, and the planet in a balanced way. It's systemic perspectives and transformation. Unfortunately, many initiatives focus too much on one aspect within circularity and I often see the regenerative, design, or business potential being overlooked. Or people's needs completely taken out of the equation. The circular economy is a new economic model. It's not just about recycling or waste management. It's about how a business is set up and operates in every area. It's also about community and how society works. 💫 I often see the same models like secondhand, repairs, or rental being piloted always with the same setup with little success... Missing out on the plenty of approaches that circularity offers! To me, this happens because not enough designers and innovators are involved in this topic, which is still too sustainability-led. 😅 What do you think? What is your take on circularity? #circulareconomy #impactcareer #designinnovation Illustration credit: Mühi aka Hannah Muller-Hillebrands. details in the comments

Building on our vision for a #ZeroWaste, #CircularEconomy, let's spotlight the innovators making waves in transforming our take-make-dispose cycle into a sustainable loop. Around the globe, companies are pioneering new materials that can be fully recycled, creating products designed for disassembly, and launching platforms for product sharing and reuse. Take the fashion industry, where brands are now designing clothes with their next life in mind, ensuring that everything from the fabric to the thread can be recycled or upcycled. Or the tech sector, where manufacturers are embracing modular designs to extend the lifespan of gadgets and facilitate easier recycling. But it's not just about products; it's also about systems. Urban initiatives are reimagining waste as a resource, turning organic waste into compost for local farms, and repurposing construction debris into new building materials. These examples are beacons of hope, showing us the practical steps we're already taking towards a sustainable future. Yet, they also remind us of the scale of change required. It's about more than recycling; it's a call to action for all of us to support, invest in, and adopt circular practices in our daily lives. Are you ready to be part of this transformative journey? Every choice to support sustainable products, and every effort to reduce waste, brings us closer to our goal. Let's champion these innovations and work together to make the circular economy a reality. #SustainableInnovation #EcoWarriors

When a product reaches the end of its useful life, it typically ends up in a landfill. But what if it wasn’t like that? What if, like nature, we could recycle our products and reuse the materials in them to create the next generation of products? It’s not just a dream. Check out how we’re rethinking product design and working toward a circular economy. ♻️ 

Simple introduction. The key is DESIGN waste, first to avoid the creation of it (the best waste is the one that has not been created in the first place), then finding pathways to create value from it, in the same or different value streams, and finally, making sure that the waste that cannot be valuable, is returned to Earth to nurture it and regenerate it, not harming it.

Back from an incredible experience at GreenBiz Group Circularity24 conference in Chicago. It’s an exciting time to contribute to the vitality of brands active in this community. And I’m not only talking about the folks rethinking supply chain without unintended artifacts left behind. Iconic, globally brands were there seeking out opportunities to integrate new tech, materials, and AI to reduce impact, and increase their value with people. Big brand attendance proves sustainable business isn't fringe. Here are brands, technologies and practices I found particualrly inspiring:  Sway and Keel Labs for reimagining "plastics" and textiles (formerly made from fossil fuels) to be sustainably made and compostable with seaweed.  Vans and The North Face for giving the soles of our shoe’s soul, with verified ROV™ regenerative rubber farming that is changing lives and ecosystems in Thailand.  Mycocycle, Inc. for turning waste into food with specially trained fungi, and eliminating toxins in the process. Day Owl for rethinking contemporary business models and using capitalism for good.  Twelve and LanzaTech for removing our need to extract carbon from the earth, and instead, putting the carbon already on the earth’s surface to use, by capturing it from the air and turning it into plastic, jet fuel, textiles (to name a few). Twelve’s “black leaf” technology that pulls carbon from the air is pure magic.  Fortuna Cools for finding a better way to keep food delivery cool during delivery with the power of coconut husk. REI for turning Re/Supply into a real business for people.  Planeteer Capital and Superorganism for pulling the future forward by funding the most incredible innovations.

♻️ Short introduction to circularity ♻️ In my previous post, I highlighted the dangers of clinging to old ideas that are still profitable. Now, in this snapshot from the Innovation Forum, I introduce a solution: a system designed for the world we live in. A circular economy is about retaining value in products and materials for as long as possible, rather than focusing solely on throughput. This shift reduces our dependence on resources and minimizes waste, helping us build a more sustainable future. 🎥 Watch the video for a short introduction to circularity. In the coming days, I’ll dive deeper into the circular model and explore how to design smarter, more responsible products. If you’re looking to adopt circularity or need help navigating your journey, feel free to reach out. I'm always open to new projects and collaborations through Circularista AB! #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #Innovation #ProductDesign #ResponsibleBusiness

♻️ The Challenges of Circular Economy 🌍 Transitioning to a circular economy sounds promising, but it's not without challenges. From redesigning products to creating new business models, shifting from a "take-make-dispose" culture requires a massive overhaul. 🔄 Key Challenges: 1. Product Design: Creating items that can be reused or recycled efficiently. 2. Collaboration: Companies, governments, and consumers must all play their part. 3. Economic Feasibility: Making sure circular solutions are cost-effective. Despite the hurdles, embracing circular practices is crucial for sustainability. Are we ready to make the shift? #circulareconomy #sustainability