Material selection and impact

The choice of materials you use to design your product matters. A material always has a particular application and context of use. Materials can therefore be circular in different ways. Strong materials make your product last longer. Mono-materials are easier to recycle. Biobased materials are compostable and CO2 positive. There are quite a few design choices to make when it comes to materials and the impact of those materials. Here you will find knowledge and tools to understand the environmental impact throughout the life cycle and of specific materials.

Within the design knowledge on material selection, CIRCONNECT has a special focus on Substances of Very High Concern (ZZS) and the design options available to reduce or prevent their impact. This is called Safe by Design. The (re)design of products or processes in such a way that they have no harmful effects on people or the environment during their entire life cycle, their reuse value is retained and the materials can be used without limitation.

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Material selection and impact
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Designing with recycled plastics | Guidelines

Federatie Nederlandse Rubber- en Kunststofindustrie (NRK) |.
September 09, 2022 |
Leestijd < 1 minuut

Self Assessment tool for life cycle analysis

CIRCO |
July 24, 2022 |
Leestijd < 1 minuut

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Making a deliberate circular material choice

The hardest question to ask a designer is, "what is the most sustainable material?

Indeed, the only legitimate (and nuanced) answer is, "that depends on what you want to do with it.

A material always has a particular application and context of use. If you want to compare alternatives fairly, a life cycle assessment (LCA) is probably necessary. Nevertheless, there are questions you can answer to give you some guidance when choosing a material. You can read more about this in CIRCO's materials module.

Go to the materials module

Material selection and impact

Featured contributions

Designing with recycled plastics | Guidelines

Self Assessment tool for life cycle analysis

Contributions

Expert Café Repurpose Design as a circular strategy

Repurpose Design as a circular strategy

Reparations and education: not the hardest part of transition

EU regulation Ecodesign for Sustainable Products makes sustainable products the norm

Expert Session Life Cycle Design

Making circular impact by using circular insulating glass

Designing with chemicals: Overview of OECD tools

Expert Cafe Understanding Financial Residual Value

KIDV Calculator tool for CO2 impact of reusable packaging

Sustainable Packaging in a Circular Economy

Making a deliberate circular material choice

Material selection and impact

Featured contributions

Contributions

Making a deliberate circular material choice

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