Circular economy : a method to avoid going around in circles

Eco-design involves developing a product in such a way that it generates as little environmental impact as possible throughout its entire life cycle: during production, use, and end of life. A key measure is the transition from multi-material to single-material products (which simplifies disassembly, repair, and waste treatment). Eco-design requires a good command of LCA (life cycle assessment) tools to ensure that an environmental gain at one stage is not offset by a greater impact at another stage.

Another principle of the circular economy is to extend the life of the product as much as possible. First, during manufacturing, to avoid planned obsolescence and to facilitate repairability. Then, at the end of the initial use phase, to find a new use for it: with the same function, possibly reinforced with parts from other objects (reuse), as waste directed towards other functions (reuse) and uses with higher added value (upcycling), or as an end-of-life product returned to the producer for refurbishment (reconditioning).

Once the product has become waste, with no hope of finding a new use for it as such, recycling takes over. Provided that this solution is more virtuous than energy recovery (which is not always the case). Recycling therefore involves destruction, or at least dismantling, disassembly, or separation of the object's various components, material by material. The circular economy loop is closed when producers show interest in incorporating recycled materials into their processes instead of virgin materials.

All AFNOR solutions based on voluntary circular economy standards for industry. AFAQ Eco-design certification

• The AFNOR BAO service
• ISO 59000 standards
• Our training courses

All AFNOR solutions based on voluntary circular economy standards for tourism professionals.

• Clean Ports certification
• The European Ecolabel
• NF Environment certification
• ISO 59000 standards