Case Studies

In response to this challenge, I carried out research into the practices of non-competitive peers, to explore how circular thinking worked in other businesses.

These lessons were used to drive the development of a financially viable business model that enabled the company to collect and remanufacture devices at the end of their life so that expensive components could be re-used.

Starting with some rough card modelling I mocked up the different scenarios and used these to generate the data needed for an environmental assessment. I used a qualitative tool to assess which concept would have the least environmental impact.

The findings and the methodology along with the associated assumptions, were then presented back to the client.

I suggested using an adapted version of the Design Abacus to visually map the options.

It’s a great tool for highlighting good and bad practice, and identifying key focal areas. We used the tool to benchmark best practice in the industry and identify, review, and refine the key sustainability characteristics relevant to their sector, making it easier to identify areas for improvement.

The key findings were reported to the board to feed into future strategy and product development.

Following a competitor analysis, I researched alternatives to their current cPET packaging and two materials with suitable functional properties were shortlisted.

Both performed well environmentally but each had different benefits.

Aluminium was cheaper, non-renewable but very recyclable; whereas bagasse was renewable, locally sourced and made from waste from the sugarcane industry and could be incinerated with minimal impact, so no recycling needed.

As the recycling infrastructure was limited in this scenario, bagasse emerged as the best alternative to cPET.

During the workshop I led the sustainability analysis of several design concepts created for their client, using a combination of qualitative and quantitative tools to ensure that the problem was considered holistically across the product lifecycle.

At the end of the session the team were able to confidently identify the key environmental implications for each concept and used this to drive their decision-making.

By sharing my expertise in this tailored on-the-job learning session, we were able to generate a tangible outcome for their client and add valuable new knowledge to their team.

However, early discussions about the context in which the pack would be used indicated that a compostable solution would not be suitable and that the key focus needed to be on the weight of the pack.

I used a basic carbon modeller to illustrate the importance of prioritizing weight over the end-of-life scenario, and the project was completely reframed, highlighting the importance of asking the right questions upfront.

This became the primary focus for the programme of work and gave the client quantifiable improvements from the work undertaken.

Following an online orientation workshop, we delivered 2 further in-person workshops to 33 SMEs who had been selected to create a circular pilot for their business under a program run by ReLondon.

The bespoke program of work combined circularity content, sustainability tools and network building. Not only did the participants go away with a tangible plan for their circular pilot, but they also gained a robust support network of like-minded individuals working on circular business initiatives.

The programme included an introduction to life cycle thinking; an overview of the Circular Economy and what it meant for their business; a practical workshop on the use of quantitative analysis tools to inform sustainability and a bespoke overview on design for sustainable behaviour for their industry sector. The material was delivered as a combination of distance learning, online learning and in person activities (due to covid restrictions).