CIRCULAR DESIGN APPROACH – Circular design approach at Marc O’Polo
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Today, the fashion industry relies to a considerable extent on the use of new resources such as virgin fibres, water, land and energy. This can contribute to environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss and increasing volumes of waste. At the same time, the average use phase of many products has become shorter. Estimates suggest that only a small proportion of textiles is currently recycled into new textiles. Against this backdrop, the development of a more circular value chain is becoming increasingly important.
WHAT DOES “CIRCULAR DESIGN APPROACH” MEAN?
USE, REUSE, REPAIR, RECOVER
“Circular Design Approach” describes a design approach based on the principles of a circular economy. The aim is to design products in a way that can extend their use phase and support recovery at the end of their life. This approach takes into account different stages of a product’s life cycle and different stakeholders, including manufacturers, brands, users and waste operators. It should be noted that not every product can be fully recovered within a closed loop. However, design decisions can help create the conditions for improved reuse, repair or material recycling. Marc O’Polo therefore follows an approach in which product design is understood as an important factor influencing durability and potential recovery.
4 PILLARS OF THE CIRCULAR DESIGN APPROACH
To implement this design approach in a structured way, Marc O’Polo works with the transformation consultancy circular.fashion. The basis is the Circular Design Standard (CDS version 5.1), a catalogue of criteria covering four central fields of action. More information about circular.fashion and the Circular Design Standard is available here.
Applying these criteria does not mean that a product is fully recyclable or circular. It means that selected design aspects have been reviewed and taken into account accordingly.
1. CIRCULAR RAW MATERIALS
As part of the Circular Design Approach, depending on the product type, we primarily use recycled or ecologically sourced renewable fibres certified according to recognised standards. We also ensure that materials and their finishing are free from chemicals of concern. Approaches and measures within our collection-wide environmental management have created a valuable basis that enables us to meet the requirements of Pillar 1. More information about our chemical management is available here.
2. DESIGN FOR RECYCLABILITY
Some materials and material combinations are currently technically recyclable only to a limited extent or not recyclable as materials at all. As part of the Circular Design Approach, efforts are made to select materials that may in principle be suitable for existing recycling processes. Wherever possible, the use of material blends and certain components, such as elastane or screen prints, is reduced. Actual fibre-to-fibre recovery, however, depends on other factors, particularly available technologies and local waste management structures.
3. DESIGN FOR DURABILITY
An extended use phase can help conserve resources. Products designed according to the Circular Design Criteria therefore take aspects such as material quality, workmanship and timeless design into account. This may help products to be used for longer. However, no specific product lifetime is guaranteed.
4. SERVICES FOR RESPONSIBLE USE
The use phase also influences a product’s environmental impacts. Care, proper use and, where appropriate, repair can help extend a product’s lifetime. Marc O’Polo provides information on this, for example in the Care & Repair Guide. However, these measures do not replace recycling infrastructure and do not guarantee a closed loop.
TRANSPARENCY OF IMPLEMENTATION
Compliance with the Circular Design Standard is assessed for each style in a document-based review process conducted by It Fits as an independent third party. If a product does not or no longer fully meet the defined criteria, its classification under the Circular Design Approach may also be adjusted or removed retrospectively.
As part of its sustainability strategy “IT’S ON US – 2030+”, Marc O’Polo aims to increase by 2030 the proportion of products for which Circular Design Criteria are taken into account. This objective relates to design processes and does not state that these products are fully recyclable or part of a closed material loop. Marc O’Polo views the Circular Design Approach as one contribution within a broader transformation process that requires further measures along the value chain.
The Circular Design Approach describes a design approach. It does not constitute a guarantee of recyclability, actual circularity or environmental benefits in individual cases. Actual recovery options depend in particular on local infrastructure and technological developments.