---
title: What the Circular Economy Means for Product Designers
description: Within manufacturing, sustainability has become a popular buzzword and strategic objective. But what does it mean, and what can companies and product designers do to achieve greater sustainability?
---

[Tapecon Blog ](https://www.tapecon.com/blog)

# [What the Circular Economy Means for Product Designers](https://www.tapecon.com/blog/what-the-circular-economy-means-for-product-designers)

 Written by [Casey Cephas](https://www.tapecon.com/blog/author/casey-cephas) | 1/17/22 2:30 PM

As the effects of climate change impact communities around the globe, there’s a growing understanding that environmental stewardship is a shared responsibility. Within manufacturing, sustainability has become a popular buzzword and strategic objective. But what does it mean, and what can companies and product designers do to achieve greater sustainability?

#### **Shifting to a circular economy**

To fully achieve sustainable manufacturing, we – as an industry and society – must first rethink how products are made and used.

The traditional linear economy follows a take-make-and-dispose process. This model relies heavily on raw materials to make new products. Unfortunately, in a linear economy, the majority of products are disposed of after use, leading to a reliance on landfills, more pollution, and increased consumption of additional resources to source new raw materials.

However, in a circular economy, products are designed to promote as much reuse as possible. The make-use-return model continuously repurposes materials, resulting in less disposed waste. Achieving a circular economy requires more than improving recycling practices. It calls for more efficient product design, eco-conscious materials selection, expanded upcycling and repurposing programs, and rethinking our production and usage of products. No small feat, but a worthy endeavor for all of society.

#### **Life Cycle Assessment**

One tool that can be valuable in developing a sustainability plan and moving toward a circular economy is the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which is a study of a product from the cradle to the grave. The analysis considers the actions and environmental impact of raw material extraction, manufacturing, distribution, the long-term use of the product, and how it can be recycled or disposed.

A holistic LCA study:

- Challenges companies to consider the long-term impact of their products, including how consumers use them
- Provides quantitative measures to help designers and engineers to make more informed design decisions
- Encourages multiple stakeholders to work in collaboration
- Formalizes, coordinates, and integrates sustainability practices across the company, supply chain, and distribution partners
- Encourages strategic planning and implementation of innovation to improve outcomes

#### **Take a deeper look at sustainable manufacturing**

To learn more about how your company can help make a better, greener future, we invite you to download Tapecon’s Sustainability Guide for manufacturing, printing, and materials selection.

#### **Let’s make something great**

With over 100 years of manufacturing experience, Tapecon works with product teams to solve challenges, create products, and enhance lives. Learn more about our [sustainability initiatives](https://www.tapecon.com/sustainability).

[View full post](https://www.tapecon.com/blog/what-the-circular-economy-means-for-product-designers)

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