Circular Design
Design For A World Without Waste
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The Reason Why
IDSA aims to transform the perception of circular design from a sustainability niche into the new standard for industrial design. By making circular principles relatable, practical, and actionable, we empower our community to design for a world without waste.
More About Circular Design
Recognizing that 80% of a product’s environmental impact is influenced by decisions made at the design stage, every material, production method, and logistics decision is a strategic opportunity to build a circular system that maximizes value and minimizes waste.
By leading with circular design solutions, we unlock new efficiencies, create market differentiation, and meet the rising demand for sustainable innovation. This is how companies gain a competitive edge, drive cost savings, and enhance brand trust to make a tangible impact on people, our planet, and climate.
With over 60 years of product, packaging, and design innovation across consumer, commercial, and industrial sectors, IDSA has the scale and expertise to transform lives and livelihoods.
Our mission is clear. To set the standard for Circular Design and to pioneer climate-positive solutions that propel the circular economy forward.
9Rs
The 9Rs provide a rigorous framework for transforming linear waste into circular value. These principles guide essential design decisions in material selection and service models, driving innovation that fuels the circular economy. The 9Rs empower us to design a world without waste, where our daily decisions can create a long-lasting, climate-positive impact.
Resources
IDSA’s curated resources provide design professionals and students with practical guidance to embed circular thinking into research, materials, manufacturing, and end-of-life strategies. Whether you are building foundational knowledge or advancing an organizational sustainability initiative, these tools support real-world application and meaningful change.
Case Studies
Circular Design case studies highlight how designers are reducing waste, extending product lifecycles, and building regenerative systems across industries. Discover practical strategies, measurable impact, and the design decisions that shape a circular future.
Circular Design Council
Responsible for developing resources that enhance the practical knowledge, application, and integration of Circular Design practices, the Circular Design Council deepens the industry’s understanding of circularity as a transformative element of modern design systems.