Circular by Design: Creating Products Built to Last

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.