CB
C.A. Bakker
109 records found
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Current circular economy discourse is largely shaped by metaphors similar to the ones used for a linear economy: the machine metaphor, competitive metaphor and the journey metaphor. Metaphors influence patterns of thought, what ideas and solutions are valued (and which are not).
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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,
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Design of a syringe extension device (Chloe SED®) for low-resource settings in sub-Saharan Africa
A circular economy approach
Underfunded healthcare infrastructures in low-resource settings in sub-Saharan Africa have resulted in a lack of medical devices crucial to provide healthcare for all. A representative example of this scenario is medical devices to administer paracervical blocks during gynaecolog
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This research uses systemic design to develop interventions for sustainable change in a business context. The primary objective is to address the communication and translation of systemic insights into practical business actions. Bridging the gap between research and practice is
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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
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