Circular Design

Circular design is a methodology that applies the principles of the circular economy to the development of products, services and systems. Its objective is to create solutions that generate value throughout the entire life cycle, minimising waste and maximising the reuse, repair and recycling of materials.

Unlike traditional design, which focuses on production efficiency and immediate consumption, circular design anticipates environmental and social impacts from the conceptual phase. It is therefore a key discipline for achieving the sustainability goals set by the European Union, the 2030 Agenda and national ecological-transition strategies.

Definition

Circular design consists of conceiving products, services and business models that keep the value of materials and resources within the economic system for as long as possible.

It integrates aspects such as:

• Durability: products that withstand the test of time.
• Repairability: ease of repairing and upgrading components.
• Reusability: promoting multiple uses before recycling.
• Recyclability: designing materials that are compatible with recovery processes.
• Sustainable materials: prioritising recycled, renewable or low-impact raw materials.

Key principles

Circular design is based on a set of core principles:

1. Eliminating waste and pollution through design.
2. Keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible.
3. Regenerating natural systems (for example, biodegradable materials and biomimicry).
4. Thinking in closed loops: cradle-to-cradle rather than cradle-to-grave.
5. Designing for flexibility and modularity.

Strategic importance

• Environmental: reduces waste generation and emissions.
• Economic: drives innovative business models (servitisation, rental, second-hand).
• Social: boosts employment in repair, refurbishment and recycling.
• Political: embedded in European circular-economy strategies.

Policies and reference frameworks

• EU Circular Economy Action Plan (2020).
• Spanish Circular Economy Strategy 2030.
• Law 7/2022 on waste and contaminated soil for a circular economy.
• Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 on batteries and waste batteries.
• The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which extends ecodesign requirements and introduces the Digital Product Passport.

Circular design tools

• Life cycle assessment (LCA).
• Carbon and water footprinting.
• Modular and biomimetic design.
• Eco-labels and certifications (Cradle to Cradle, EU Ecolabel).

Benefits of circular design

• For companies: lower raw-material costs and competitive differentiation.
• For consumers: longer-lasting products and long-term savings.
• For society: less waste, better environmental health and the creation of green jobs.

Current challenges

• Upfront redesign costs.
• Lack of reuse and recycling infrastructure.
• The cultural change required from consumers and businesses.
• The need for clear measurement and verification standards.

Relationship with the circular economy

Circular design is a key driver of the circular economy. The European Commission has noted that a large share of a product's environmental impact, often cited as up to around 80%, is determined at the design phase. By integrating circularity criteria from the outset, waste reduction, resource savings and ecosystem regeneration become much easier to achieve.

Ultimately, circular design is a transformative strategy that redefines how products are conceived, produced and used, turning them into long-lasting, low-impact solutions. At Manglai we help companies measure the carbon and environmental footprint of their products and prepare their sustainability reporting. Discover how Manglai can help you.