CB
C.A. Bakker
113 records found
1
This paper explores the move to a circular economy through the metaphor of a living system: a forest. The technosphere of a circular economy is an entirely human-made and managed realm. This research aims to explore how a common understanding of how a forest works can be used to
...
Sustainability of bio-based polyethylene
The influence of biomass sourcing and end-of-life
Bio-based polymers may present a sustainable, circular way to reduce the environmental impact of plastics because they are produced from biomass that absorbs CO2 during its growth. However, sourcing (type of biomass used and cultivation location), production, and end-o
...
Towards Circular ICUs
Circular Intubations as a Catalyser for Systemic Change
This project aims to reduce the environmental impact of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Erasmus Medical Center (EMC). Systemic design research was executed to map the current waste flow created by the ICU. Literature review, interviews and observations were performed to gath
...
Redesigning Health Devices for the Circular Economy
A Case Study on Smart Pillboxes
Like many health devices, smart pill boxes designed to enhance medication adherence often incorporate electronic components and smart sensors. However, the production and disposal of these rising numbers of electronics contribute significantly to the global e-waste crisis, exacer
...
An Intervention Framework for a Business Context
A systemic design case of sustainable parenthood
This study explores the application of systemic design approaches used in a complex commercial context to create positive and sustainable change. The case study was a business case on sustainable parenthood, in which the company tried to balance its ambitions for environmental su
...
Strategies for Dealing with Substances of Concern in Product Design –
A Review of Five Cases
Hazardous substances, or substances of concern (SoC), are present in numerous products and may be the source of significant risks to human health and the environment. In addition, the presence of SoC in products challenges the transition towards a circular economy. By implementin
...
Circular economy for medical devices
Barriers, opportunities and best practices from a design perspective
In an era of electronics-driven healthcare, the disposability of many medical devices raises environmental concerns. Transitioning these devices towards a circular economy, involving practices like reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling, holds promise. Our paper explores this tran
...
Bio-Based Plastics in Product Design
The State of the Art and Challenges to Overcome
Replacing fossil-based feedstock with renewable alternatives is a crucial step towards a circular economy. The bio-based plastics currently on the market are predominantly used in single-use applications, with remarkably limited uptake in durable products. This study explores the
...
Systemic design through the lens of incumbent firms to address complex sustainability transitions
A systematic literature review and comparison between commercial and non-commercial environments
In response to the urgency of sustainability challenges, there is a growing recognition of the incumbent firm’s role to engage in sustainable transitions. This paper explores the potential of systemic design as an approach for incumbent firms to facilitate sustainability transiti
...
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
A Case Study on Simplifying the Reverse Logistics of Car Parts to Enable Remanufacturing
Facilitating reverse logistics is a critical step in achieving a circular economy through remanufacturing and ensuring the recovery of critical raw materials. Despite the importance of these practices, they are currently not commonplace in many product sectors. As an exception, t
...
Design for Recycling of Electronics
The Urgent Need for Better Methods
Within a circular economy, prioritizing product integrity and durability is crucial for circular product design. However, in addition to efforts in strategies like reuse and repair, products inevitably require recycling. This paper critically assesses the current state of Design
...
Bio-based plastics are gaining attention as a sustainable, circular alternative to the current, petrochemical-based plastics. The main application of bio-based plastics is in single-use packaging with short lifetimes. Extending the application of bio-based plastics products towar
...
The transition to a circular economy (CE) is challenged by the presence of hazardous
substances, also known as substances of concern (SoC), in products. SoC are used in various
applications such as electronics, textiles, and toys, and can cause harmful effects on human he ...
substances, also known as substances of concern (SoC), in products. SoC are used in various
applications such as electronics, textiles, and toys, and can cause harmful effects on human he ...
Bio-based plastics in a circular economy
A review of recovery pathways and implications for product design
Bio-based plastics are attracting increasing attention due to their perceived sustainability and circularity. While enabling circularity by using renewable feedstocks, they still contribute to plastic pollution. Furthermore, their rapidly growing market will cause bio-based plast
...
Numerous academic scholars argue for a radical transformation of the economy towards a circular model, in response to pressures from planetary and social issues such as energy, climate change, inequality, and resource depletion. This study examines how the academic community perc
...
A policy framework for the circular economy
Lessons from the EU
Transitioning from the ‘take-make-dispose’ linear production system to a circular economy can strengthen sustainability, and governments play a vital role. Recent scholarship has investigated policies for circular economy transition, but few studies take a perspective on circular
...
Healthcare facilities in low-resource settings in Sub-Saharan Africa are plagued
with issues of non-functional and obsolete medical devices, which ultimately
end up prematurely disposed of as waste. With increasing healthcare demands,
stopping medical device disposal is imperativ
...
Circular design in practice
Eight levers for change
Circular Design, as a practice and approach, has grown in popularity in the last decade, with academics and industry alike proposing many strategies and methods that facilitate this in products. Yet, very few day-to-day products are actually circular. Therefore, in this chapter,
...