FULL CIRCLE

CIRCULAR DESIGN was a theme at the core of this year's Salone del Mobile - and we asked SEAN WELDON, cofounder of SA-based initiative CIRCULAR SQUARED, to pick five noteworthy sustainable designs.

- SEAN WELDON

IF YOU'RE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE CONCEPT of circularity, in a nutshell, it's based on the principles of the circular economy, which replaces the traditional, linear "take-make-dispose" model with a closed-loop system. More specifically, circular design considers the entire life cycle of a product, including its creation, use and end-of-life phases. It focuses on creating products that are durable, reusable, repairable and recyclable, aiming to eliminate waste and reduce resource consumption - but it also takes this one step further by joining the dots between makers of sustainable products with those who produce waste. It's about designing products in a way that allows their materials to be continually cycled back into the production process, rather than ending up in landfills or incinerators.

It was also a concept at the heart of Salone del Mobile this year. The 61st "Planet-Centric" edition of Milan's iconic furniture and design fair showcased sustainability and circularity with themes such as re-use, regeneration and energy-saving. What you see here are the five products that stood out.