The purpose - where I start - is the idea of use. It is not recycling, it’s reuse.
Issey Miyake
ABOUT US
THE PHILOSOPHY
CIRCULAR
CDS is driven by the urgency to transition our world from take-make-use-dispose, to one where materials and resources operate within circular systems that enable a regenerative flow of energy and resources.
DESIGN
The circular economy is ‘regenerative by design’. CDS is design led, applying regenerative systems thinking to achieve circularity. We believe there is no such thing as a sustainable resource, only a resource within a sustainable circular designed system. Our hero and design inspiration is nature. This includes the byproducts of nature, such as crude oil – a finite vital resource, that we believe needs to be used with care, and reduced reliance.
SYNERGY
CDS work crosses the boundaries of academia, industry and policy. To achieve this, we work with multiple organisations and partners, that we believe have a shared vision to achieve a circular economy. Come join us, if you need a circular solution, or are a solutions provider and or researcher.
THE MISSION
Championing creativity, nature and the customer, we connect businesses with new sustainable materials and encourage innovation to rethink supply chains to visualise and implement a more circular bio-regenerative system.
Circular DS is a purpose-driven training, research and consultancy service that supports businesses and design-led enterprises to achieve a circular economy.
Our approach is driven by professional experience and rigorous academic research in circular economy design, policy, and user behaviour.
To support our work, we offer access to our Circular Materials Library, an extensive resource of sustainably designed materials, that work within a circular supply chain.
TRANSPARENCY
Differing across business, location and culture, there is no one answer on what moving to a circular economy looks like and it will take time to become truly circular. With the customer increasingly demanding transparency in a world of green and purpose-washing, building trust and conveying business purpose, successes, problems faced and strategy towards circularity is critical. Understanding your ‘True Narrative’ is key to bringing the increasingly sceptical consumer on your journey to a circular economy.
PURPOSE DRIVEN
Innovative business is critical to our society. Ensuring the purpose of businesses, and in turn their innovation, is always geared towards environmental regeneration and global wellbeing will help to future-proof business and strengthen society. Shifting to a circular economy is a challenge but these can encourage greater creativity and progress towards a more purpose-driven society.
A JUST TRANSITION
While the environment is a key focus this cannot be seen in isolation. Transformations must be carried out using a ‘Just lens’.
In such a globalised society, shifting to a circular system offers greater opportunity to build social justice into the foundations of our economy and society.
Evaluating and supporting all stakeholders, within the business and the world in which the business is operating, is crucial to recognising opportunities and risks. Collaboration ensures we create a sustainable future.
COLLABORATIVE
Creating a circular economy requires expertise and understanding from all areas of society, as well as the commitment to develop a circular system. From government, academia, business, workers and customers, all voices should be heard to provide a rounded and in-depth understanding.
A circular economy does not necessarily regenerate within one sector but may be regenerative to alternate industries. Collaboration and co-ordination is critical to creating a successful circular strategy.
We aim to partner with companies and experts within different fields to be able to provide an experienced and detailed picture to support the move to a just circular economy.
CDS are a UKFT Member
We are proud members of the UK’s largest fashion and textile network.
They bring together designers, manufacturers, suppliers, agents, educators and retailers to promote their businesses and the industry, both in the UK and throughout the world.
They are in a unique position representing the entire UK fashion and textile supply chain, from spinning, weaving and knitting, right through to the catwalk.
UKFT are headquartered in London and we have staff working in Scotland, the East Midlands, Lancashire, Merseyside and Yorkshire.
WORKING WITH
BE CUSTOMER DRIVEN
Understanding the customer is critical to ensuring a business can be circular. The current system sees the customer as the end point however, supporting the customer through the use of the product, an end of life product plan and encouraging a different way to use a product will increase the customer involvement and will increase loyalty and customer satisfaction.
REUSE
REPURPOSE
REGENERATE
SPEND MORE TIME MAKING A DIFFERENCE AND LESS TIME WORRYING ABOUT IT.
Keep up to date on our work with the Circular Design Library and Lexicon of all things circular design by sending in your request (see below). This site is a work in progress as we bring on new team members and researchers, and complete current commitments. Thank you for your interest.
