We’ve lined up a number of activities to help you understand, define, make, and release circular innovations. Dive in wherever makes most sense for you and your team.
Don’t worry about getting it all right on your first go. The more you prototype and learn, the greater your positive impact on the system.
Understand how to design for the circular economy
flows feedback nature basics economy biomimicry loops diagram
Explore opportunities for social, cultural, natural, and human capital
plastic flow bottle thinking linear cards value chain supply
Shift your thinking from products to services through underlying needs
service product sharing thinking circular exercise beginner easy game
Understand the implication of materials that go into everyday products
plastic exercise practical tear down electronic waste modular plastic
Be inspired by agile processes in software development
tech technology inspiration agile systems digital
Be inspired by how nature might solve your design challenge
nature flows inspiration biological analogous plastic
Clearly articulate the circularity challenge you are looking to solve
ideo challenge design innovation
Start with an achievable small initiative that can scale over time
innovation intervention start frame circular waste
Building multidisciplinary teams with collaboration in mind
collaborate collaboration people together work values rules
Understand your stakeholders and develop strategies for engagement
engagement stakeholder engage narrative
Develop your business model from a circular design perspective
business case value canvas model biz money stream buy-in engagement viable viability
Build circular propositions that reinforce your brand promise
brand storytelling user value story buy-in engagement
Focusing in on consumers and other users across the whole system
user customer consumer design thinking ideo interview field insight human
Brainstorming ideas around the principles of circularity
idea ideas idea generation brainstorm concept concepting ideo
Embed feedback mechanisms to allow for continuous and agile learning
feedback flows internet of things iot iterate learn loops tech
Understand the breakdown of materials that go into your product
plastic chemistry flow flowchart cradle to cradle choice material choose
Prioritise which circular concepts to take forward
evaluate evaluation test principles business case viability test
Create rough & rapid prototypes to test your concept & mitigate risk
build make ideo think prototype create test learn iterate
Ensure your product is in a useful state for as long as possible
materials plastic after use recycling cradle to cradle material collection disposal use cycles
Test the proposition with all the resources in place
pilot launch build test testing ideo
Explore different partnerships that can increase system effectiveness
stakeholder collaboration alignment engagement buy-in supply chain value extend network
Develop a compelling narrative about your proposition
brand storytelling pitch buy-in engagement sell in funding customer consumer communications
Apply principles of design thinking to changing your organisation
alignment buy-in buy in align case business stakeholder experiment prototype
Explore next steps to iterate your design and continue to add value
feedback loop launch iterate flow learn internet of things tech
Map out the impacts of material choices
Safe&Circular Systems Mapping Materials Journey Mapping
Explore how to use safe and circular strategies
Safe&Circular Redesign Workshop
Choose the right materials for your new circular design
Safe & Circular Material Selection New Materials
Explore the next steps for making safe and circular material choices
Safe & Ciruclar Redesign Workshop
The Circular Design Guide is a collaboration between the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and IDEO. To give your feedback, email us directly or join our linkedin group.
Copyright © Ellen MacArthur Foundation 2017, 2018