Life cycle thinking is an approach that considers the environmental, economic, and social impacts of a product or a system over its entire life cycle, from production and use to disposal. It takes into account all stages, including raw material extraction, manufacturing, distribution, use, and end-of-life management.
Circular design, on the other hand, focuses on creating products, systems, and processes that are regenerative and eliminate waste. It aims to keep materials and resources in use for as long as possible through strategies like recycling, reusing, and remanufacturing.
Life cycle thinking and circular design are interconnected concepts as they both aim to minimize the negative environmental impacts and maximize the efficient use of resources. By considering the entire life cycle of a product, life cycle thinking helps identify opportunities for circular design strategies. It enables designers to analyze the environmental impacts associated with each stage and make informed decisions on design choices to enhance circularity.
For example, life cycle thinking may reveal that a particular material used in a product has a substantial environmental impact during extraction and production. In response, the circular design approach may suggest using recycled or renewable materials as alternatives to reduce the negative impact.
By combining life cycle thinking and circular design principles, companies and designers can create products and systems that are not only environmentally friendly but also economically viable and socially responsible. This approach promotes sustainability by reducing resource depletion, minimizing waste generation, and promoting a more efficient use of materials throughout the product's life cycle.
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