Short answer

Designers should consider the entire lifecycle of a product and how services can be integrated to support reuse, repair, and recycling, rather than focusing solely on the physical product.

Field: User-Centred Design
Source: LNEG - Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia (2020)
Method: Literature Review and Project-Based Learning Framework Development
Evidence: Moderate effect

Designing integrated product-service systems (PSS) is crucial for fostering circular economy principles and achieving sustainability goals. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2020 study published in LNEG - Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia. Using Literature review and project-based learning framework development, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Designers should consider the entire lifecycle of a product and how services can be integrated to support reuse, repair, and recycling, rather than focusing solely on the physical product.

Study

User-Centred DesignHigh ImpactModerate effect

Integrating Product-Service Systems Enhances Circular Economy Adoption

Designing integrated product-service systems (PSS) is crucial for fostering circular economy principles and achieving sustainability goals.

LNEG - Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia · 2020

Key Findings

01Product-Service Systems (PSS) are a viable strategy for implementing circular economy principles.
02There is a need for enhanced skills and competences in PSS development within higher education and industry.
03Focusing on specific sectors like construction and furniture can yield targeted and effective PSS solutions.

Application

Design takeaway

Designers should consider the entire lifecycle of a product and how services can be integrated to support reuse, repair, and recycling, rather than focusing solely on the physical product.

How to apply

When developing new products, consider how a service component (e.g., maintenance, take-back programs, upgrade services) can extend the product's useful life and facilitate its return into a circular system.

Project actions

01When defining your product, also define the services that support its use and end-of-life.
02Consider how your service offering can incentivize users to participate in circular practices.

Method & Evidence

AimHow can product-service system development be effectively integrated into design education and practice to promote circular economy principles?

MethodLiterature Review and Project-Based Learning Framework Development

ProcedureThe research involved a review of existing literature on product-service systems, circular economy, and sustainability, coupled with the development of an educational framework and project guidelines for higher education and business collaboration.

ContextHigher Education and Business Collaboration in Construction and Furniture Sectors

Variables

IVIntegration of Product-Service Systems (PSS)

DVAdoption of Circular Economy Principles (e.g., reduced waste, extended product life, increased reuse/recycling)

CVSector (e.g., construction, furniture), User Demographics, Economic Viability

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Addresses a critical gap in integrating sustainability with product design.
+Provides a framework for developing holistic, user-centric solutions.

Limitations

It can be challenging to accurately model the economic viability and user adoption of complex product-service systems within a single design project.

Reliability & validity

Reliability could be enhanced through standardized PSS design frameworks and consistent user survey methodologies. Validity is strengthened by aligning PSS design with established circular economy metrics and user needs.

Think critically

To what extent does the proposed service component truly drive circularity, or does it merely add complexity without significant environmental benefit?

Design Principles

"Design for Circularity through Integrated Product-Service Systems."

This approach moves beyond traditional product-centric design by considering the entire lifecycle and user experience. By embedding services into product offerings, designers can create more value, extend product life, and facilitate reuse, repair, and recycling, thereby driving sustainable consumption patterns.

What This Means for Your Design

Think about how you can offer a service along with a product to make it last longer and be reused or recycled more easily, like a subscription for furniture that includes repair and replacement.

How to use in your project

1.Use the concept of Product-Service Systems (PSS) to frame your design approach, demonstrating how your solution supports circular economy principles.
2.Analyze how your chosen services contribute to reducing waste and resource consumption throughout the product lifecycle.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This design project adopts a Product-Service System (PSS) approach to address circular economy principles. By integrating [mention specific services, e.g., repair, maintenance, take-back] with the core product, the design aims to extend product lifespan, reduce waste, and encourage resource efficiency, aligning with sustainable consumption and production goals.

Source

LNEG - Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia

Product-Service development for circular economy and sustainability course

journal · 2020

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about integrating product-service systems enhances circular economy adoption?: Designers should consider the entire lifecycle of a product and how services can be integrated to support reuse, repair, and recycling, rather than focusing solely on the physical product. Evidence: LNEG - Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia (2020).
Why does "Integrating Product-Service Systems Enhances Circular Economy Adoption" matter for design?: This approach moves beyond traditional product-centric design by considering the entire lifecycle and user experience. By embedding services into product offerings, designers can create more value, extend product life, and facilitate reuse, repair, and recycling, thereby driving sustainable consumption patterns.
How can designers apply this research?: Designers should consider the entire lifecycle of a product and how services can be integrated to support reuse, repair, and recycling, rather than focusing solely on the physical product.
What were the main findings?: Product-Service Systems (PSS) are a viable strategy for implementing circular economy principles.. There is a need for enhanced skills and competences in PSS development within higher education and industry.. Focusing on specific sectors like construction and furniture can yield targeted and effective PSS solutions.
What research method was used?: Literature Review and Project-Based Learning Framework Development.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2020 journal from LNEG - Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When developing new products, consider how a service component (e.g., maintenance, take-back programs, upgrade services) can extend the product's useful life and facilitate its return into a circular system.
What are the limitations?: The focus was primarily on educational frameworks and may not fully capture the complexities of real-world business implementation across all sectors.