The transition within business from a linear to circular economy brings with it range of practical challenges for companies. following question is addressed: What are the product design and model strategies companies that want move model? This paper develops framework guide designers strategists in economy. Building on Stahel, terminology slowing, closing, narrowing resource loops introduced. A list strategies, examples key decision-makers businesses introduced, facilitate also opens up...

Summary In a circular economy (CE), the economic and environmental value of materials is preserved for as long possible by keeping them in system, either lengthening life products formed from or looping back system to be reused. The notion waste no longer exists CE, because are, principle, reused cycled indefinitely. Taking this description starting point, article asks which guiding principles, design strategies, methods are required product what extent these differ eco‐design. argues that...

In an era of electronics-driven healthcare, the disposability many medical devices raises environmental concerns. Transitioning these towards a circular economy, involving practices like reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling, holds promise. Our paper explores this transition through desk research, literature review, expert interviews, examining current state design in electronic devices. We unveil barriers, opportunities, recommendations for circularization. First, we highlight circularity...

Home Energy Management Systems (HEMS), e.g. energy monitors, are intermediary products that can visualize, manage, and/or monitor the use of other or whole households. HEMS increasingly receive attention for their role in conservation A literature review and a case study examine mid-term effectiveness (more than 4 months) HEMS. The presents results 15-month pilot with domestic Netherlands. It explores extent to which participants manage sustain initial electricity savings over time, special...

The framework of design for the circular economy is increasingly used in industry to improve product sustainability and decrease costs, academia various models have been developed guide design. However, medical sector, although it generates a large amount waste, application principles difficult because clinical challenges safety sterility that reuse products or materials entail. This paper categorizes analyses existing instances using literature review examination examples. identify unmet...

In this paper we report on an exploration of how to apply the theory Slow Design mass produced products establish more mindful usage products; intention behind is promote product attachment and associated sustainable benefits long term use. a design philosophy that focuses promoting well-being for individuals, society, natural environment. It encourages people do things at right time speed which helps them understand reflect their actions. Several authors have proposed principles cases been...

This study addresses what competencies (knowledge, skills, and attitudes) designers need in order to successfully design products services for a circular economy. Existing literature, though sparse, has identified number of economy design. Yet, coherent overview is lacking. To complement the found literature with insights from practice, we conducted 18 semi-structured interviews professionals. Our identifies seven design: (1) Circular Impact Assessment, (2) Design Recovery, (3) Multiple Use...

In a recent study, we identified seven key circular competencies for design: (1) Design Multiple Use Cycles, (2) Recovery, (3) Circular Impact Assessment, (4) Business Models, (5) User Engagement, (6) Economy Collaboration, and (7) Communication. These were derived from small-scale studies with designers working in the Netherlands. We set out to assess what extent this of is recognized by an international group evaluate whether any are missing. used online survey collect data 128 respondents...

Designers and engineers need better tools methods to create highly repairable products.Design for disassembly reassembly is an important product related design feature that can enhance repair.In a product, the components fail most often should be easily accessible repair or replacement.This paper describes development of method visually map showing different routes towards target components.These those with high potential failure rate (important repair), embodied environmental impact...

The cradle-to-cradle (C2C) concept of McDonough and Braungart, which has a strong emphasis on materials strategy, gives vision sustainable future, inspired by nature. Their guilt-free approach enthused many new people, drawing them into the field sustainability. However, question when how C2C can be applied successfully in business is still being debated. This paper takes look at applicability day-to-day product development setting. Based student design projects for several multinationals,...

Electronic textiles are a vanguard of an emerging generation smart products. They consist small electronic devices that seamlessly embedded into clothing and technical textiles. E-textiles provide enhanced functions in variety unobtrusive convenient ways. Like many high-tech products, e-textiles may evolve to become mass market the future. In this case, large amounts difficult-to-recycle products will be discarded. That can result new waste problems. This article examines possible...

In the transition to a circular economy companies are exploring new business models, implying shift from selling products offering in such as leasing. Product design is thought play crucial role enabling this. Having robust overview of relevant roles and competencies foundational importance for development tools methods, economy-based curricula higher education. However, how required by designers need change has hardly been investigated. Building on insights literature regarding consider...

Design for sustainable behaviour (DfSB) is becoming increasingly influential in the areas of design research and practice. With its success, however, concerns are also rising about limitations. This paper bundles these illustrates how DfSB approaches tend to focus on incremental savings that easily disappear larger trends, it risks not achieving intended change, literature contains a strong rhetoric right wrong behaviours opportunities scales change be missed. These illustrated using...

Value creation in a circular economy is based on products being returned after use. In the case of smartphones, most are never and tend to be kept drawers. Smartphone access services (e.g., leasing or upgrade) have been experimented with Netherlands but largely unsuccessful. This study explores reasons why consumers rejected these access-based smartphone one very few address this topic. The findings compared car services, which socially better accepted, identify potential areas for...

Replacing fossil-based feedstock with renewable alternatives is a crucial step towards circular economy. The bio-based plastics currently on the market are predominantly used in single-use applications, remarkably limited uptake durable products. This study explores current state of art plastic use consumer products and opportunities barriers encountered by product developers adopting these materials. A design analysis 60 containing plastics, 12 company interviews, identified pursuit...