Circular design for Benchmark : Developing a heuristic tool for circular design

The shift toward a circular economy requires companies to rethink their product development processes to enhance sustainability, reduce waste, and improve resource efficiency. This thesis investigates how Benchmark can integrate circularity into its design processes by evaluating existing assessment tools, developing a new heuristic tool, and redesigning a product as a case study. The research resulted in two key outcomes: the development of the Circular Potential to Action Tool, a structured design tool for circularity assessment and actionable improvement, and the redesign of an existing product using circular economy principles. The newly developed tool enables companies to assess circularity at different lifecycle stages and translate findings into actionable design improvements. This thesis provides Benchmark with a structured methodology for embedding circularity in product development, aligning with regulatory frameworks and market demands for sustainable solutions.