Systemising circular and eco-design

Some circular efforts we already have implemented are:

• Sell more solutions with service contracts and upgrade-programs to secure extra-long lifetime rather than disposing
• Modular design. Fewer components and parts, increase product life rather than dispose and entire product.
• Use more sustainable, recyclable, or biodegradable, reusable, and cost-effective packaging for transportation.
• Select transport that the uses the lowest possible footprint.
• Coordinate logistics (transport) and production
• Creating solutions and products with low energy consumption and with the lowest possible manufacturing footprint.
• Select recyclable materials in the products design phase.

What is Eco-design?

Eco-design refers to actions taken in product development aimed at minimising a product’s environmental impact during its whole life cycle, without compromising other essential product criteria such as performance and cost. (definition by Johansson, 2002)

The eight stages for achieving circularity are:

1. Encourage customers to choose the best possible solution for their needs
2. System-wide, life-cycle thinking
3. Design for low impact materials (durable, compact, low weight, low energy) and use fewer components and parts in the design
4. Design for optimised manufacturing processes to minimise environmental impact (energy consumption, pollution and waste, production yield)
5. Design for lifetime sustainability optimising a product’s useful life (durability, easy to maintain and repair, standardisation, modular for upgrades)
6. Design for optimisation of transport (local supply chain, shift from road to rail and air to sea) and packaging (optimise load, minimise air, reduce packaging)
7. Design for resource efficient use (low power consumption and ease of maintenance) and adaptability (possible to upgrade and extend lifetime)
8. Design for dis- and reassembly and recycling of components

Source: The sustainability guide

Read more about our Sustainability efforts