YpsoMate Refill: Concept design of a reusable self-injection device for the circular economy.

This thesis proposes the YpsoMate Refill concept design: an autoinjector that can be refilled at a Refill Hub to reduce its environmental impact. After five reuses, it has a 60% lower CO2e impact than the single-use YpsoMate. The concept design aims to inspire the non-profit Alliance to Zero in their journey towards a sustainable pharmaceutical...

Stimulating waste separation in the Intensive Care Unit: Exploring opportunities for Circular waste streams

This design thesis explored the possibilities of recycling medical waste from the Intensive Care Unit of the Erasmus MC Hospital in the transition towards Circular ICUs. Through a combination of qualitative research methods, such as observations, interviews and waste audit, the medical context and the waste composition were explored. By...

The jetty of the future: Reducing the environmental impact of a jetty platform structure by designing for reusability

The significant adverse contribution of the construction industry to greenhouse gas emissions and natural resource depletion has to be reduced. Regarding jetty platform structures, this challenge can be faced by designing for reusability, a promising concept for environmental impact reduction. However, this principle is not yet being widely...

From surgical waste to medical products

Hospital waste has a major impact on the environment. The worldwide growth of hospital waste is the result of the growing world population and the increase in use of disposables. A circular healthcare economy may contribute to the reduction of hospital waste. The circular economy is a system in which waste is prevented and where waste is reused....

The Circular Redesign Focus Point tool: A novel method to determine focus points for redesigning surgical devices for circularity

For healthcare, an industry that is currently responsible for up to 10% of the global carbon footprint, the transition to carbon neutrality and circularity will be an enormous challenge. As 20-30% of the total hospital waste originates from operating rooms, optimising recovery from these waste streams has the potential to make a significant...

Circular Digital Built Environment: An Emerging Framework

Digital technologies are considered to be an essential enabler of the circular economy in various industries. However, to date, very few studies have investigated which digital technologies could enable the circular economy in the built environment. This study specifically focuses on the built environment as one of the largest, most energy- and...

Key competencies for design in a circular economy: Exploring gaps in design knowledge and skills for a circular economy

In a recent study, we identified seven key circular competencies for design: (1) Design for Multiple Use Cycles, (2) Design for Recovery, (3) Circular Impact Assessment, (4) Circular Business Models, (5) Circular User Engagement, (6) Circular Economy Collaboration, and (7) Circular Economy Communication. These were derived from small‐scale...