For all the conversation about navigating the circular economy, there often lacks discussion on one of its fundamental pillars: eco-design.
Eco-design is an approach that integrates sustainability and environmental responsibility into every phase of the design process—from conception to development, transportation, installation, and what happens at the end of a product’s life.
What is Eco-Design
Like many aspects of the circular economy, eco-design is complex. Barriers like identifying new waste streams, amending manufacturing processes to support that waste, and creating end-of-life reuse and/or recycling programs make eco-design difficult for manufacturers to invest in.