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My purpose in this article is to explain why it is important to postulate circular strategies in both the design and business world and to provide an initial introduction to the approach we propose in all projects undertaken 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 by any measure: population growth, urban sprawl, increased primary energy consumption, water use, fertilizer application, deforestation, carbon monoxide emissions and a long list of other factors that cannot continue to grow at their current rate (see infographic below):
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% increase in energy consumption, a 50% increase in food consumption and a 30% increase in water demand.
These alarming figures translate into a significant increase in environmental degradation and resource scarcity, which will ultimately lead to a decrease in our quality of life and security.
2. Regulations are getting stricter
Fortunately, governments have begun to take steps to curb this unsustainable growth. While these measures may be insufficient, we like to think that they mark the beginning of a change in governmental thinking that prioritizes our planet over economic growth and the continued exploitation of resources.
Examples include European regulations banning the use of plastic, the ban on 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 quality of life on the planet and preserve it as it deserves.
3. Long-term benefits for business
While it may seem like a significant structural change in the short term, the evidence shows that investing in the circular economy pays off in the long term.... The graphs below show that companies investing in sustainable development experienced higher growth than those that did not:
It was even beneficial in times of crisis. Companies 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 are increasingly demanding with respect to the sustainability of the products and services they consume.
Where once sustainability was a value-added feature, it is now a necessity for many consumers. Factors such as the production process and location, the materials used, the company behind the product and its reuse potential are increasingly influencing purchasing 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 or repaired to re-enter the production cycle. This ensures that all economic activities focus on both sustainable practices and the reuse of resources.
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 produced sustainably and derived from renewable resources.
What is the role of design?
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 change in the business mentality is necessary to implement this change in the economic model that is so necessary 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 and Director 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
