As global waste production is projected to hit 3.4 billion tons annually by 2050 (World Bank, 2018), the linear economy model of “take, make, dispose” is proving unsustainable. In this blog, we talked a lot about material circularity, and how it offers a way forward, focusing on how products can re-enter the production cycle after use. Addressing the end of a product’s life cycle is critical, as this is where the majority of waste enters landfills or the environment, exacerbating resource depletion and pollution. Most products today are not designed with their post-consumer life in mind, leading to enormous waste and environmental harm. According to the Circularity Gap Report 2024 (Circularity Gap Report), less than 8% of global materials are reused, meaning vast quantities of valuable resources are lost.
Product Design can aim to minimize waste by enabling materials to be recovered and reused instead of ending up in landfills, reducing reliance on virgin resources that are energy-intensive to extract and finite in availability, and lowering greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating the need for incineration or disposal in methane-producing landfills.
We want to kickstart 2025 presenting four interesting approaches companies have taken to minimize the environmental impact of their products at the end of the life cycle.
1: Regenerating Waste into High-Value Materials
Projects like Econyl illustrate how waste can be transformed into premium materials. Econyl regenerates nylon from discarded fishing nets, carpets, and industrial plastic, reducing landfill waste and conserving raw materials. Luxury fashion brands like Gucci and Prada have adopted Econyl, setting an example for scaling this approach (Econyl).
Another example is bioleather by Modern Meadow, a lab-grown alternative to traditional leather. Bioleather avoids deforestation and the high emissions associated with livestock, addressing both ethical and environmental concerns (Modern Meadow).
2: Biodegradable Alternatives for Single-Use Products
One of the biggest waste contributors is single-use plastics, which persist in ecosystems for centuries. Materials like mycelium composites provide a biodegradable alternative, decomposing naturally within weeks. Ecovative Design has successfully commercialized this innovation for packaging and even furniture, eliminating the waste problem at the source (Ecovative).
3: Carbon-Negative Construction Materials
The construction sector generates approximately 8% of global CO2 emissions, largely due to concrete production. Companies like CarbonCure are revolutionizing this space by capturing and storing CO2 within concrete, not only reducing emissions but also increasing material strength. This technology ensures that even at the end of its life, concrete can be broken down and recycled for future use (CarbonCure).
4: Circular Systems Powered by Technology
Addressing the end-of-cycle phase requires efficient systems for material recovery. AI-driven solutions like ZenRobotics are improving recycling facilities by using advanced sorting technologies to separate materials more effectively (ZenRobotics). Blockchain platforms like Provenance.org track the lifecycle of materials, ensuring transparency and enabling brands to verify their products’ sustainability (Provenance).
Governments are also playing a crucial role. The EU Circular Economy Action Plan introduces stricter regulations on product design, ensuring items are easier to repair, recycle, or biodegrade (European Commission).
Looking Ahead
The end-of-cycle stage is often where the fate of a product is decided—waste or resource. Failing to address this phase contributes to resource scarcity, environmental degradation, and the growing waste crisis. Circularity shifts this paradigm by designing products for regeneration, where materials have multiple lifecycles, reducing both the environmental and economic costs of waste.
As material science advances and awareness grows, projects that integrate circular principles will become essential in shaping a sustainable future. Whether it’s textiles regenerated from waste, biodegradable packaging, or carbon-sequestering construction materials, the focus on what happens at the end of a product’s life is key to addressing global challenges.
