Clients want sustainable credentials. They want to know if the products and finishes planned for the project are environmentally friendly. Time- and resource-starved designers rely heavily on suppliers to provide accurate information to identify what is good for the planet and what is not.
However, this poses a problem. Despite the slow and difficult process, some suppliers are seriously investing in research and development of their products, but many are simply using “circular economy” as a trend or buzzword without actually making any changes. Some suppliers do.
As a designer, it’s important to understand some important fundamentals about the circular economy. In particular, governments are putting a lot of emphasis on environmental, social and governance reporting, and we will all need to adhere to these reports in the coming years.
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So let’s start with what most people don’t do. Do you know what circular economy is? Many people don’t, but they feel pressured to do so. Below is a snapshot of industry-focused definitions. It may feel dry, but it’s important to know.
Cradle-to-cradle refers to the existence of an infrastructure or ecosystem within the design of a material/product, whereby the material/product is recovered at the end of its life and reused within the same material/product or within other products. , which means creating a continuous product. Lifecycle (i.e. no waste).
“From cradle to grave” is the assessment of the environmental impact of a material or product, from the extraction of natural resources to the end of the product’s life. This typically applies to materials and products that cannot be recycled, reused, or remanufactured and are typically sent to landfills. Through this assessment, manufacturers can choose to offset the carbon emissions of their products or use green energy to operate their facilities.
Closed loop refers to keeping materials and products at the highest value during production, over and over again.
Greenwashing is the deceptive reporting and marketing of products or materials as “sustainable” when in fact there is a lack of proof of true sustainability. Usually used by brands that only see sustainability as a trend. I liken this to advertisements from the ’60s that showed images of people smoking cigarettes and told viewers that cigarettes were good for you.
Product stewardship is the responsibility of product and material designers, producers, and sellers who are responsible for the entire lifecycle of a product, including the energy and materials used, and when the end user disposes of the finished product. Please discuss this with your supplier before making your selection. It will help you as you progress through your circular journey.
Sustainability or sustainability has a multifaceted definition. On the one hand, this means that natural resources are not depleted when creating products, projects and materials. This also means that the design considers the entire lifecycle, not just concept and implementation.
circular economy
Let’s take a look at the circular economy itself. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 80% of environmental impacts can be designed at the concept stage. In short, designers have the power to drive change, but it requires collaboration and cannot be done in silos.
Simply put, the circular economy is similar to what we see in nature. In other words, it is an ecosystem that creates and distributes resources without depleting them, but rather utilizes them through transformation.
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In the “butterfly” diagram above, you can see that materials and renewable energy flow into different parts of the system, where nothing is wasted. Instead, everything is compostable, biodegradable, or can be reused, recycled, remanufactured, etc. It is also expected that materials that do not cause harm to people, animals or the environment will continue in the value chain.
As an interior designer, it is very important to understand the materials and treatments you are using. You also need to ensure that the designs and products you incorporate can be easily disassembled, durable, passed on, recycled or remanufactured. This plays an important role in the completion of the project.
But it’s equally important to understand who you need to work with to keep these valuable items out of landfills. Suddenly you find your network of suppliers extends to recyclers, nonprofits, and more. You’ll find yourself having roundtable discussions with the builder, installer, and default company before the project begins. Many of us have assumptions about the roles that others play, so this input will be refreshing for everyone. But by doing this, you can build connections and understanding in your project preparation.
inspiration
So what else can you do? It’s best to start with the starting point of all creativity: inspiration.
Find out what your peers are doing nationally and internationally. Sustainable interior design may not be as exposed as architecture, but you can see how innovative materials are used in interiors.
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For example, design firm Gensler recently worked on an interior project 22 Bayard and the Gensler LA space that used renewable materials such as wood and biophilia. Notably, the company is also responsible for environmental, social, and governance (ESG), wellness, and climate action. The company’s Gensler Product Sustainability (GPS) standards ensure that it remains publicly responsible for the materials it uses in projects around the world.
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Another example of sustainability in interiors is McDonald’s recent pilot program in France and Belgium. We Want More designed the restaurant’s interior using modular products and easily disassembled furniture. This allows materials to be efficiently separated and properly directed to the appropriate recycling or reclamation pathway, making it ideal for achieving circularity.
Improve your skills by reading or watching resources and attending online or in-person courses. Start following sustainable designers and companies on Instagram and other social media platforms.
On a local note, Australian interior designer Renae Tapley is launching a directory called Future Materials later this year. This directory is the result of many years of effort to source innovative and exciting material, both conceptual and commercial. From designers to designers, this will be the perfect go-to for your toolbox.
The important thing to remember is that, as designers, we have the power to solve the climate crisis and support the transition to a circular economy. It doesn’t have to be daunting. It can be exciting and full of new possibilities. It’s a lot of fun to rethink how we create and use materials, how we collaborate, and how we get started. Experiment, learn, and test. We can transform spaces with care and responsibility, one piece of equipment at a time.
