Designing for the Circular Economy

The circular economy is a social and economic model that promotes reuse through repair, reconditioning, and refurbishment. This book provides a comprehensive overview of issues related to product circularity, including policy, design, and development, and offers case studies from various sectors. It is designed to inform and educate companies seeking to move their business models towards sustainability and benchmark their current activities.

Format: Hardback
Length: 396 pages
Publication date: 09 August 2018
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The circular economy represents a transformative societal and economic paradigm, where the predominant model revolves around the reuse, repair, reconditioning, and refurbishment of products and materials. The potential for business growth in this realm is immense, yet achieving competitive advantage necessitates a reimagining of business models from the earliest stages of creativity and design to marketing, communication, pricing, and supply.

Designing for the Circular Economy: Shaping a Sustainable Future explores and highlights cutting-edge research and industrial practices, emphasizing the circular economy as a catalyst for:

New Business Opportunities: The circular economy presents a vast array of untapped business prospects, offering innovative solutions and disrupting traditional industries.

Radical Business Change: By adopting circular principles, companies can undergo significant transformations, streamlining processes, reducing waste, and enhancing resource efficiency.

Disruptive Innovation: Circular design and development methodologies foster disruptive innovations, leading to the creation of new products and services that prioritize sustainability and circularity.

Social Change: The circular economy promotes social equity, environmental sustainability, and community well-being by reducing waste, conserving resources, and creating job opportunities.

New Consumer Attitudes: Consumers are increasingly demanding products and services that align with their values of sustainability and circularity, driving demand for circular solutions.

The thirty-four chapters in this comprehensive book provide a thorough examination of various aspects related to product circularity, encompassing policy, design, and development. Each chapter is designed to be easily digestible, featuring numerous real-world examples to illustrate the practical applications of circular principles.

A significant strength of the book is its case studies section, which covers a diverse range of topics related to the circular economy, business models, and design and development across various sectors, including construction, retail, clothing, technology, and manufacturing. These case studies provide valuable insights into the successes and challenges faced by organizations in embracing circular practices.

Designed for both academia and business, Designing for the Circular Economy serves as a valuable resource for companies seeking to transition their business models towards sustainable and circular practices. It provides a comprehensive overview of issues related to product circularity, enabling organizations to benchmark their current activities and draw inspiration from new applications and an understanding of the evolving social and political context.

This book appeals to a wide audience, including researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and individuals passionate about driving positive change in the world through sustainable and circular practices.

Weight: 842g
Dimension: 163 x 240 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138081017