Designing for circularity

Through this report, we want to create a platform to openly address the issues in designing for circularity and move towards finding solutions. By reflecting differing viewpoints from a range of contributors — such as leaders from academia, business, NGOs and other key institutions — we hope to move the circularity dialogue forward and contribute to a common understanding.

All articles
10.11.2020 Think Circle

Simplified materials, recycling technologies and infrastructure can create a true circular economy

The simpler the material, the more likely it is to be used in a circular economy, says Andy Parton, Vice President Petcare Commercial at Mars Petcare. Advanced markets should move first.
09.11.2020 Think Circle

Investment is the necessary driver for circularity

The business case for circularity is clear, says Kate Daly, Managing Director at Closed Loop Partners. It’s all about maximizing the value of materials.
07.11.2020 Think Circle

Sustainable food packaging can support a rapidly changing world

Achieving circularity objectives requires both systemic changes and a network of stakeholders working as one across the entire food value chain and driving a common understanding of sustainability, says Charles Héaulmé, President and CEO of Huhtamaki.  

07.11.2020 Think Circle

Innovation in circularity requires the creation of open infrastructure and open-source solutions

Today’s large-scale industrial food production is not sustainable, argues Food System 6 CEO Caesaré Assad. Instead, we need food systems based on right-sized entrepreneurship and decentralized operations where innovation starts at the local level.
07.11.2020 Think Circle

Wanted: a coherent policy framework to support circularity at EU level

While policymakers continue to build appropriate legislation, food packaging companies can lead the change, says Petri Sarvamaa, Member of the European Parliament.
06.11.2020 Think Circle

Regulation should set the goals – companies should choose the methods

We won’t have circularity without the markets, and we won’t have the markets unless we create the rules for them, says Jyrki Katainen, president of Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra.
06.11.2020 Think Circle

Waste has to become a resource offering financial incentives

Two billion people across the globe lack access to waste management. “Producers should play a bigger role in the recovery and reuse of plastic waste,” says WasteAid Network Director Michelle Wilson.
06.11.2020 Think Circle

Banning plastics completely will harm circularity – composite materials are needed

EU’s efforts to reduce marine litter by banning single-use plastics may lead to unintended consequences as circularity needs composite materials and single-use containers, says research professor Ali Harlin.
06.11.2020 Think Circle

Tax systems should support sustainable materials and practices

Everyone wants to protect the environment as long as the price is right, says Hesburger chairman Heikki Salmela. The politicians should set that price right through taxation.
05.11.2020 Think Circle

Circular solutions must also provide a great customer experience

Circular economy requires innovation in materials and design as well as broad partnerships to tackle issues in recycling infrastructure, says Frank Heidlberger, Director of Global Packaging at McDonald’s. For businesses, customer experience remains a...
05.11.2020 Think Circle

Small businesses need help in switching to sustainable packaging

To create truly functioning circularity in food packaging, small businesses need to be supported and end-users need to be educated, says Darragh Flynn of The Happy Pear.
05.11.2020 Think Circle

Reinventing manufacturing for circularity can increase profits

Business executives’ fear of shareholders’ fear prevents them from initiating major changes, argues Professor Steve Evans. Yet adjusting business models and production processes towards circularity can increase efficiency and profits.
05.11.2020 Think Circle

Designing for circularity needs global scale

Packaging regulation that is too local and extensive will slow down innovation, says Stora Enso CEO Annica Bresky.

"Business executives are fixed on a mental model that sustainability will mean short-term loss in gains. This is not true."

PROFESSOR STEVE EVANS, 10/2020