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A new economy. Circular design

The circular economy is an innovative approach to the way we produce and consume goods and services, which aims to maximise resource use and minimise environmental impact. Rather than following the linear model of extract, produce, consume and dispose, the circular economy seeks to close the life cycle of products and services by reusing, repairing, remanufacturing and recycling.

How does circular design help to reduce environmental impact?

Circular design is a key tool for achieving a circular economy. It refers to the integration of circular economy principles into the design of products and services, from conception to disposal. This involves designing products and services with recyclable or biodegradable materials and components, and with the capacity to be repaired or reused. It also involves designing production and logistics processes that minimize environmental impact and maximize resource use.

Imatge descriptiva de l'economia circular. Una nova economia. Disseny circular

Circular design is an approach that focuses on the planning and design of products, services and processes to achieve a circular economy. It is based on five fundamental principles:

Reduce: Minimize the use of natural resources and energy in the production of products and services.

Reuse: Maximize the reuse of products and product components.

Recycle: Maximize the ability of products and components to be recycled and converted into new products.

Repair: Encourage the repair and maintenance of products to prolong their useful life.

Renew: Promote innovation and the adoption of new technologies to improve resource efficiency and performance.

An example of circular design is the “design for disassembly” approach in automotive manufacturing. This involves designing vehicles with components that can be easily dismantled and recycled at the end of their useful life. This not only reduces the environmental impact of car disposal, but can also generate new business and jobs in materials recovery.

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