EcoDesign Circle: Ecodesign as driver of innovation in the Baltic Sea Region

Ecodesign moves product design towards the circular economy and reduces pressure on the environment. About 80 % of the environmental impact of products is determined during the design phase. The widespread use of ecodesign – as an approach and a concept – would bring many immediate benefits to the whole of society in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR) and beyond. And yet (despite individual shining examples) in practice, ecodesign is still not sufficiently used in product design. Most enterprises in the Baltic Sea Region are not yet ready for the transition to a circular economy, with many small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) still focused on traditional linear business models. To reach its full potential and revolutionise the way we as a society think about design, production and consumption, ecodesign must become embedded in the minds (and the studios) of designers across all industries, from fashion to industrial design. The best way to achieve this is to systematically involve those institutions and individuals best placed to spread the word and invite them to join the conversation.
In EcoDesign Circle, design centres, professionals and lecturers are working towards increasing their understanding of and capacities in ecodesign.