Starter Kit Circular Design

What is Circular Economy? What is circular design? What are circular examples? What can you get started with? On this page you get familiar with the topic and we indicate what are relevant contributions. We will start with an introduction circular economy and give more in-depth coverage of Value Hill, Products that Last and Products that Flow. As well as an insight into circular design strategies and circular business models. And some inspiring examples of circular frontrunners. And finally, how can you get started as a designer or entrepreneur?

Introduction to Circular Economy

The video to the side gives a good idea of the need and reason for a Circular Economy. What is the difference between a Circular Economy versus linear economy? What interesting circular examples are there? If you want to go into more depth, you can follow TU Delft's MOOC - Introduction to Circular Economy (in English). An online course of 7 weeks that you can do in your own time.

Go to the online course

More background information

The Value Hill is an important way of looking at the different phases of a product. In the Circular Economy, everything is focused on value creation and preventing loss of value during the use and after the use phase. Here, the distinction between Products that last (products with a long lifespan) and Products that flow (products with a short/one-time lifespan) is important. This requires different design strategies and business models which you can read more about in the books mentioned here.

Publication

Material selection and impact
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Usage and behavior
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The Value Hill

CIRCO |
August 22, 2022 |
Reading time 2 minutes

Read more about

Publication

Usage and behavior
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End of use
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Book: Products that Last

CIRCO |
August 16, 2022 |
Reading time 2 minutes

Read more about

Publication

Material selection and impact
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End of use
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Book: Products that Flow

CIRCO |
August 22, 2022 |
Reading time 2 minutes

Read more about

Introducing circular design strategies

Learn more about circular design strategies. When are they relevant and what are the design challenges? And what is the distinction in design strategies between Products that Last and Products that Flow? The circular design inspiration guide shows diverse examples of circular products. The examples range from packaging to electronic products to materials for use in construction, each case has a different perspective and approach to connect to a circular economy. There is no one solution for all products, and this is reflected in these cases.

Article

Rethink
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Material selection and impact
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Circular Design Strategies for Products that Last and Products that Flow

CIRCO |
Sept. 15, 2022 |
Reading time 2 minutes

Read more about

Publication

Material selection and impact
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Usage and behavior
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Inspirational guide to circular design

Department of Waterways and Public Works |
Sept. 12, 2022 |.
Reading time 2 minutes

Read more about

Introducing circular business models

Circular design also involves thinking about new value propositions, different cost structures and new business models. The Circular Business Models article and video explain 5 business models. In the case Facade as a service, the business model Access is highlighted in a practical example.

Article

Business models
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Circular Business Models: Products that Last and Products that Flow

CIRCO |
Sept. 14, 2022 |
Reading time 2 minutes

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Case

Value Thinking
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Business models
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Jansen by ODS - Facade as a service

CIRCO |
July 19, 2022 |
Reading time 2 minutes

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Inspiration: circular practices

Case

Usage and behavior
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Business models
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Durable vehicle entrance - HTC Parking & Security

CIRCO |
August 22, 2022 |
Reading time 2 minutes

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Case

Material selection and impact
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Circular concrete - Bio Bound

CIRCO |
August 16, 2022 |
Reading time 2 minutes

Read more about

Case

Material selection and impact
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Value Thinking
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Circular design strategies for work shoes - EMMA Safety Footwear

CIRCO |
July 19, 2022 |
Reading time 2 minutes

Read more about

Get started

Want to get started? There are several options. Of course, we encourage you to explore this website further. All knowledge items are sorted by the theme they relate to. There are 3 design dimensions: product and service, business model and value system. You can search for contributions in the relevant design topic. Or search for circular design knowledge in a specific sector.

If you are an SME entrepreneur and would like to work concretely with other companies on circular business, we recommend a CIRCO Track.

Join a CIRCO Track

If you are a designer, CIRCO offers a Class. A Class lasts one day and is intended for creative professionals or read more about the Program COco of the Professional Organization of Dutch Designers (BNO)

Join a CIRCO Class