Circularity & Waste Theatre
Circular by Design: Creating Products Built to Last
11 Sep (Thur) Day 1 : 12:05 – 12:55
As global waste and resource depletion reach critical levels, circular design has emerged as a transformative approach to creating products that are built to last and wont end up in the landfill. This session will explore how designing for durability, repairability, and material circularity can break the “take-make-waste” cycle while unlocking business value through cost savings, brand loyalty, and resilience to resource scarcity. Discover real-world innovations across industries and learn how collaboration between designers, businesses and policymakers can scale these solutions and shift consumer mindsets toward valuing longevity over disposability.
Learnings
- How can businesses encourage consumers to prioritise product longevity and participate in repair/recycling programs?
- What policy changes or incentives could accelerate the transition to circular business models?
- What are some examples of exemplary circular product design?
Post-event Actions
- Explore partnership with material innovators or repair networks to implement circular solutions.
- Conduct a circularity audit or your product portfolio to identify redesign opportunities for durability and recyclability.
- Develop customer training to highlight the value of long-lasting, repairable products.
Speakers
Minal Jain
Sustainable Development Manager – Circular Economy
Minal Jain
Sustainable Development Manager – Circular Economy
Growing up in India reusing, repairing, recycling ( basically almost all the R’s of the circularity R ladder ) was a way of life, especially for people from humble backgrounds.
Clothes, furniture, appliances got shared around till the last iota of value was derived, post which a scrap dealer would further cut paste and make something else out of it.
Unfortunately, modern life demands convenience which perpetuates the use and throw culture.
My crusade to promote a more circular mindset began way back in 1998 when I reached out to companies to promote reusable bags instead of plastic bags. Today I work in Cathay, leading many circular initiatives and instilling the importance of circularity for resource efficiency.
My Sustainability Goals for 2025:
- I hope to see the HK government working towards implementing a Right to Repair policy.
- I hope to NOT see HK on the list of the top transit cities for Illegal Wildlife Trade.
- I hope that the HK government begins to research into the quantitative benefits of circularity and consequently creates a roadmap to achieve these benefits.