An interdisciplinary team from Lithuanian and Italian universities has developed a tool to assess the circularity of future products, encouraging early integration of circular design in product development. This self-assessment tool aims to enhance collaboration among entrepreneurs and designers by involving stakeholders. Professor Lina Dagilienė of the Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) underscores the tool’s uniqueness in fostering sustainable new products, addressing a gap where existing tools primarily focus on measuring the environmental impacts of products already on the market.
The Circular Product Design Framework (CD-Framework) and its accompanying self-assessment tool (CD-Tool) were co-created with researchers and businesses. They target product developers, designers, and entrepreneurs. Comprising ten categories, the CD Framework includes tailored questions to facilitate interactive engagement and specific product enhancements.
Feedback from companies involved in the research highlighted the tool’s effectiveness in integrating circularity into product strategies, such as adjusting packaging and materials to adopt circular business models. This success story underscores the tool’s positive impact, leaving the audience optimistic. Professor Dagilienė emphasises that such tools can catalyse a shift towards circular economy principles, mitigating environmental harm and promoting systemic approaches to product development.
Unlike linear models, circular economy principles align business activities with environmental sustainability, offering mutual benefits to businesses and society. Professor Dagilienė advocates for these principles to differentiate businesses through sustainable innovation amidst increasingly stringent environmental regulations and greenwashing concerns.
The study at KTU School of Economics and Business aimed to bridge the gap between research and business practice. Through a four-month circular design pre-accelerator programme involving workshops and expert evaluations, the initiative supported ten novel circular or sustainable product concepts from small companies. This approach facilitated knowledge exchange and addressed practical challenges businesses face in implementing circular practices.
Furthermore, user acceptance of circular products, influenced by storytelling and visual representation, emerged as a critical factor. The study observed that engaging end-users in the design process enhances product attractiveness and customer value perception. This validation of user acceptance is crucial in ensuring the success of circular economy solutions. Understanding consumer needs from the outset ensures that circular economy solutions are economically viable and socially equitable.
This research underscores the importance of integrating circular design early in product development to foster sustainable innovation and effectively address environmental challenges.
More information: Lina Dagilienė et al, Developing a circular design framework: Co-creation and validation of a circular product and service design tool, Journal of Industrial Ecology. DOI: 10.1111/jiec.13494
Journal information: Journal of Industrial Ecology Provided by Kaunas University of Technology