Perhaps the easiest way to explain the circular economy is to first compare it to our current, “linear economy”. The linear economy takes materials, makes something out of them, consumers use the final product and they are eventually discarded and sent to landfill.

The circular economy in contrast, is a system of production and consumption where materials are in circulation for as long as possible, and journey to landfill is avoided or slowed.

Circular products are designed to minimize or avoid waste, are made with non-toxic materials and strive to regenerate natural landscapes. Circular business models like sharing, leasing, reusing, and repairing are common delivery methods for circular products.

Circular products may become services when business models shift from individual ownership of a product to a service model, where consumers directly benefit from accessing the product without having to purchase or maintain it. A good example of this would include ride-sharing apps like Lyft and Uber.

Sustainability is an umbrella term that encompasses circularity, and had often been defined as “development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Brundtland Report, 1987).

Circularity is a tool to help to achieve sustainability, and relies on the intentional design of systems that include the products, the business model, as well as the enabling conditions (such as infrastructure, customer buy-in or availability of materials) that supports the system.

Circular Design considers the entire value chain of a product starting from the design phase (indeed, 80% of a product’s environmental impact is created during this phase) to the product’s next use phase (e.g., recycle, reuse, upcycle), and all the phases in-between.

In this way, Circular Design requires a systems approach to creating new products and services. For example, In addition to considerations around the products’ material aspects (e.g., durability or repairability), whether and how consumers will use the product, and how it is given a second life at the post-consumer stage are also important considerations.

Want to get started? Circular Spring has a robust system of tools and methodologies that can support the discovery of your next leading edge circular product and service idea.