The key principles of circular design are as follows:
1. Designing out waste and pollution: The focus is on eliminating the concept of waste by designing products and systems that generate minimal or no waste throughout their life cycle. This involves using renewable resources, reducing material usage, and avoiding hazardous substances.
2. Keeping products and materials in use: The aim is to extend the lifespan of products and materials by designing them for durability, repairability, and upgradability. This includes promoting reuse, refurbishment, and remanufacturing to keep products in circulation as long as possible.
3. Using renewable energy: Circular design promotes the use of renewable sources of energy to power the production and operation of products. This reduces reliance on fossil fuels and aims for a shift towards sustainable energy systems.
4. Fostering a system perspective: Circular design takes into account the entire life cycle of a product, considering its production, transportation, usage, and end-of-life stages. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to create a closed-loop system where resources are constantly circulated and waste is minimized.
5. Designing for biological and technical cycles: Circular design acknowledges that materials can be part of biological or technical cycles. Biological materials are designed to be safely returned to nature without causing harm, while technical materials are designed for reuse, recycling, or recovery in industrial systems.
6. Engaging stakeholders and creating transparency: Circular design involves engaging stakeholders such as consumers, suppliers, and manufacturers to create a shared understanding of sustainability goals and to address environmental and social concerns. Transparency in the supply chain is key to ensuring accountability and responsible practices.
7. Innovating with new business models: Circular design encourages the development of innovative business models such as product-as-a-service, sharing platforms, and leasing arrangements. By decoupling ownership from product use, it promotes resource efficiency and supports a more sustainable and circular economy.
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