Design is a key factor in the transition towards a circular economy. We need compelling solutions and quality design that make circularity a clear-cut choice – from service experiences to product and urban development.
In this Focus issue, we invite you to explore Danish circular ideas that showcase how to accelerate the circular transition by reducing, recycling, and upcycling in innovative ways. You can dive into cases, video portraits of creative circular frontrunners, and a new white paper on designing the irresistible circular society. Let's fuel the transition together!
"The transition to the irresistible circular society will only be achieved by collaboration. Join us!"
Creative solutions for circularity
What is circular economy? And how do we get there? In contrast to the ‘take-make-waste’ linear model, a circular economy is regenerative by design and aims to gradually decouple growth from finite resources consumption.
According to the circular pioneers at Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the circular economy is about asking these fundamental questions: What if waste and pollution were never created in the first place? What if the economy is built on using things rather than using them up? What if we could not only protect but actively improve the environment? We like to add a fourth: what if we designed an irresistible circular society where circularity is a clear-cut choice – both in business models and for end consumers?
With creative and holistic design-thinking, we can make solutions that actively address these challenges. Solutions that recycle and upcycle materials to attractive products with a long lifetime. Constructions that can be disassembled for later reuse. And architecture that increases biodiversity based on circular business models. When used strategically, design is an impactful tool that can accelerate the circular transition in creative new ways.
The circular transition requires innovative thinking and partnerships across borders. For circularity to become irresistible, we need to build communities, innovative partnerships and alliances – and we hope to start today.
