Sustainability 101: Below are a few great sources that will give some context to what we mean by Circular Design.
Sustainability 101
Designing for Net Zero Waste
Circular design is about keeping valuable materials in continuous circulation and not moving them from the resource column into the waste or pollution column. The first step is to understand and identify what needs to change, before we reach the ultimate goal of net-zero waste.


Cradle to Cradle
This is the fundamental design idea that will allow harmony between people (products) and nature. Cradle to Cradle is a design framework that calls for a shift in thinking about products as doing "less bad" (eco-efficiency) to doing "more good" (eco-effectiveness). The concept, developed by William McDonough and Dr. Michael Braungart in the 1990s, eliminates the concept of waste and instead perceives it as “food” for another product or cycle. Cradle to Cradle® identifies two material cycles: biological and technical.
Further Reading
Read William McDonough's book - Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things
Find our more on how to become C2C certified with MBDC
Ellen MacArthur's Circular Economy
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is one of the definitive resources on the Circular Economy that we love to reference.
In their words, the Circular Economy is a manifestation of economic models that highlight business opportunities where cycles rather than linear processes, dominate. It is restorative and regenerative by design and aims to keep products, components, and materials at their highest utility and value at all times

A Guide To The Benefits Of Reusable Packaging
This document from The Ellen MacArthur Foundation outlines ways to implement reusable packaging scenarios, moving away from single-use packaging.

The New Plastics Economy
View and download key infographics from The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the future of plastics report by the World Economic Forum, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and McKinsey & Company.
Further reading
Ellen MacArthur Foundation: The New Plastics Economy full report

Glossary of Terms for Sustainable Packaging Design
Some terms we use to describe seemingly sustainable materials don't actually have as much positive effect as we would like.
Refilled This is an ideal system as it reduces packaging waste, so long as the packaging for refills is sustainable.
Made from post consumed materials (PCR) Reducing the reliance on virgin material production is very positive. However, rather than being one removed from the inevitable landfill or incineration, our goal needs to be keeping the materials in a loop and making it as easy as possible for consumers to get it back to a place for recycling.
Reduced Materials Minimizing packaging and reducing materials used not only makes them more sustainable, it makes them more economical. Value and sustainability engineering should be a part of any product development process.
Recyclable Hypothetically, most items can be recycled, at least in part. It’s an open ended term that offers no solution or commitment to actually recycle anything.
Returnable Some companies have return/recycle/reward programs. It is unknown and difficult to track down how much of these returns actually end up responsibly recycled vs. ending up in normal waste streams.
Compostable / Degradable Many degradable and compostable plastics end up taking a very long time to break down or require industrial facilities which do not exist in the US. It doesn’t mean your home composting!
Offset Often times a Greenwashing tactic with minimal affect on overall sustainability or carbon footprint. “We’ll plant a tree for every $100 you spend”...
Reading List
Limits To Growth
Donnella Meadows, Jorgen Randers, and Dennis Meadows
Cradle To Cradle: Rethinking the Way We Make Things
William McDonough & Michael Braungart
The Upcycle: Beyond Sustainability--Designing for Abundance
William McDonough & Michael Braungart
A Circular Economy Handbook for Business and Supply Chains: Repair, Remake, Redesign, Rethink
Catherine Weetman
This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate
Naomi Klein