I really like the Guiding the Future of Design workbook that Nike released last week at the Copenhagen Fashion Summit.

The Circular Design Tool is a workbook that lists ten principles that Designers can use to help them design products for the circular economy. Apparel brands in my opinion, are doing a pretty good job at integrating circular strategies into their product portfolio. I have spent the last few months writing a circular blog series about the textile industry based on the Ellen MacArthur New Fibers report. You can read my first blog article in the series that provides an overview of why circular textiles matter.

The ten principles fit really well into other leading work on circular textiles, especially the four focus areas identified by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation New Textiles Economy Report.

What I like about the Nike Circular Design Tool

It is comprehensive and free!

The Guide specifically address circularity and incorporates ten circular principles.

Each of the ten principles has a set of thought-starter questions to get you started. These questions help guide discussions and creative thinking.

Each principle includes case studies that are not only Nike products. They have included their competitors too.

Each principle includes a set of inspirations, which actually means you have access to additional valuable references.

The Circular Design Tool’s ten guiding principles

Principle 1. Material Choice. Selecting low impact materials that use pre and post-consumer recycled feedstock.

Principle 2. Cyclability. Designing with the end in mind. Thinking through how a product will be recycled at the end of the use phase.

Principle 3. Waste Avoidance. Minimizing or elimination waste in the product-creation process

Principle 4. Disassembly. Products that can easily be taken apart and recognizing the value of each component.

Principle 5. Green Chemistry. Chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous substances.

Principle 6. Refurbishment. Prolong the use of a product through repair of component parts or materials

Principle 7. Versatility. Products that easily adapt to growth, style, trend, gender, activity and purpose

Principle 8. Durability. Products made strongly by construction details, method of make and durable material choices

Principle 9. Circular Packaging. Packaging that is purposeful and made of materials that can be repurposed, recycled or biodegradable

Principle 10. New Models. Establishing new service and business models to extend product life cycle

The ten principles mapped on to the four focus areas for a new Textiles Economy

I have mapped my four steps blog articles to the ten principles.

Focus area 1. Phase out substances of concern and fiber release. Material Choice and Green Chemistry principles

Focus area 2 Increase clothing utilization. Refurbishment, Versatility, Durability and New Models principles

Focus area 3. Radically improve recycling rates. Cyclability and Disassembly principles

Focus area 4. Use resources wisely and move to renewable resources. Waste Avoidance and Circular Packaging principles

Do you need help with your circular strategy?

For help with sustainability, circularity and chemical management, contact Amanda Cattermole at (415) 412 8406 or Amanda@cattermoleconsulting.com. We can help you develop powerful solutions to protect your company and brand reputation.

Tips and Insights contains information to help you make informed sustainability decisions. Each post highlights a particular topic and includes questions you may want to consider for your business.