Advancing Circular Economy Through Product Design Strategies: A Comprehensive Framework

Abstract

The transition to a circular economy presents multifaceted challenges for businesses, particularly in terms of product design and business model strategies. This paper introduces a comprehensive framework aimed at guiding designers and business strategists through this transition. Drawing upon Stahel's concepts of slowing, closing, and narrowing resource loops, the framework delineates a spectrum of product design and business model strategies essential for embracing a circular economy paradigm. By abolishing the notion of waste and emphasizing product and material reuse, the circular economy framework not only fosters economic sustainability but also minimizes environmental impact. Through a thorough literature review, the article distinguishes between eco-design and circular product design, introducing novel concepts such as pre-source and recovery horizon. Guided by Walter Stahel's Inertia Principle, the framework offers a typology of approaches for Design for Product Integrity, particularly focusing on durable consumer products. By providing practical strategies and examples, this framework serves as a roadmap for businesses seeking to transition towards a circular economy model, while also highlighting avenues for future research in this critical domain.