Unlike the traditional economic model in which products are manufactured, sold, and eventually disposed of – all in a relatively linear fashion – circularity is about re-use, recycling, and refurbishment. It is about disposing of materials only when they can longer be used in any other practical way, and in so doing, minimising negative environmental impacts.

Simple enough in theory, achieving circularity – and therefore genuine sustainability – is another matter altogether. It involves not just the accurate evaluation of all environmental impacts (across all lifecycle stages), but the capacity to come up with ways to eliminate them.

In this session of CPD Live, we examine circularity in the context of furniture and fitout. Beginning by asking what makes a product fit for circularity, our speakers identify the variables involved in bringing them to market.

They explain practical approaches to delivering reuse strategies at scale, outline the benefits of product-as-a-service procurement models, identify opportunities for the secondary furniture market, and more.

At the end of this presentation, you should be able to:

Define the term circularity and explain how it differs from the linear economic model
Explain how circular thinking can inform the design process in the built environment
Identify the attributes furniture needs to be fit for circularity
Outline the challenges involved in achieving circularity