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My purpose in this article is to explain why it is important to apply circular strategies in both the design and business world and to provide an initial introduction to the approach we propose in all projects carried out by the Lúcid team 😊
Why is now the right time?
1. Because there is no Planet B
The planet's growth rate is extremely high in every sense: population growth, urban expansion, increased primary energy consumption, water usage, fertilizer application, deforestation, carbon monoxide emissions, and a long list of other factors that cannot continue growing at their current pace (see the following infographic):
The planet's population growth is now unstoppable. In fact, it is estimated that by 2024, we will reach 8 billion people worldwide, leading to increased resource consumption: a 50% rise in energy consumption, a 50% increase in food consumption, and a 30% rise in water demand.
These alarming figures result in a significant increase in environmental degradation and resource scarcity, which will ultimately lead to a decline in our quality of life and safety.
2. Regulations are becoming stricter
Fortunately, governments have started taking measures to curb this unsustainable growth. While these measures may be insufficient, we like to think they mark the beginning of a governmental mindset shift, prioritizing our planet over economic growth and the continuous exploitation of resources.
Examples include European regulations banning plastic use, the prohibition of plastic straws, and mandatory disposable products in the food service industry. On a global scale, the United Nations’ sustainable development goals aim to improve the planet’s quality of life and preserve it as it deserves.
3. Long-term benefits for businesses
Although it may seem like a significant structural change in the short term, evidence shows that investing in the circular economy pays off in the long run. The following graphs illustrate that companies investing in sustainable development experienced more growth than those that did not:
It was even beneficial during times of crisis. Businesses that invested in the circular economy proved to be more resilient during the COVID‑19 crisis.
4. Consumers demand it
Beyond the economic and environmental context, we are in an era of collective awareness where consumers have become more demanding about the sustainability of the products and services they consume.
Where sustainability was once a value-added feature, it is now a must for many consumers. Factors such as production process and location, materials used, the company behind the product, and its reusability potential are increasingly influential in purchase decisions.
5. Because it is the only 100% sustainable model
The circular economy is based on the idea that everything produced ‒sustainably, of course‒ also has a sustainable use and can be recycled/reused/repaired to re-enter the production cycle. This ensures that all economic activities focus on both sustainable practices and resource reuse.
This image highlights the difference between a semi-circular economy ‒which still generates a lot of waste and consumes non-renewable raw materials‒ and a circular economy, where everything is sustainably produced and derived from renewable resources.
What role does design play?
Design plays a crucial role in the circular economy, as 80% of a product’s environmental impact is determined during the design phase.
This means that a fundamental shift in the corporate mindset is necessary to implement this much-needed economic model change for our planet.
If you're wondering...
- How can we transform our business model?
- What types of circular economy strategies exist?
- What tools are available to facilitate this transformation?
- How do we plan and develop a circular economy project?
By Marc Fabra Ferrer, Partner & Head of Industrial Design and Sustainability
At Lúcid, we have a team ready to answer all your questions and guide you on this fascinating journey. Contact us here: marc@lucid.pro
