Draft:Circular economy and product design and UN SDG 12

UN SDG 12’s relevance to contemporary organisations

United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12 (SDG 12) focuses on ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns, which are crucial for maintaining the planet's health and resources. This goal primarily aims to transform how societies produce and consume materials and operations to minimise negative impacts on the environment and human health while improving the quality of life for all individuals (Goal 12 | Department of Economic and Social Affairs, n.d.). By promoting responsible resource use, SDG 12 seeks to enhance energy efficiency, encourage sustainable infrastructure, and foster green jobs, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and sustainable future for everyone

The UN SDG 12 is largely relevant to contemporary organisations for multiple reasons, which include strategic opportunities and expense management that promote different businesses to adopt sustainable practices, leading to significant cost reductions and new revenue streams. Resource-efficient techniques and a circular economy used in business can help companies economise on materials and energy (SDG Blueprint | SDG 12, n.d.). SDG 12 is useful for a variety of corporations, as it helps increase the level of sustainable development, lower expenses, minimise risks, take advantage of business areas with demand, and promote sustainable development globally (Martin, 2023).

The issue of balancing profit with sustainable practice based on UN SDG 12

Sustainable practices can sometimes be costly; hence, balancing profit with sustainable practices may be an issue in some cases. Multiple companies may find it challenging to balance their immediate profit-making interests with the need to adopt more eco-friendly business models and consumption practices (Nohra, 2023).

Companies can introduce several approaches to address this challenge. A cost-benefit analysis regarding the effects over time of sustainable practices on the bottom line should consider operational efficiency and market perception, among other factors. Concerning risk contingency planning, this tool enables companies to estimate several impacts of sustainability implementation at various levels. This encourages companies to evaluate risks and opportunities associated with their course of action; for instance, climate change impacts that may affect distant stakeholders. This further promotes stakeholder engagement through customer and employee surveys and dialogue with investors to understand expectations regarding sustainability, thus framing the strategy (Martin, 2023).

These approaches illustrate the ethical dimensions and implications of SDG considerations. The appropriate use of these models and methods makes it possible for all stakeholders, both internally and externally, to address SDG 12 and other relevant matters, including authorities’ awareness of the current situation and, most importantly, prospective waste streams. With this knowledge, businesses can promote responsible consumption and production patterns while remaining profitable.

Circular economy and product design

An ethical initiative that organisations can address to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals is to initiate circular economy product design. This ethical initiative involves altering the product design to ensure that it lasts long, can be repaired effortlessly, and can be disposed of when it is no longer of considerable use through a systematic take-back program or mechanism.

Circular economy and product design are ethical and sustainable for multiple reasons, which include promoting responsible resource use by extending the lifecycles of different products and reducing waste at the same time (Circular Economy Introduction, n.d.). Designing products to ensure longevity involves meeting certain criteria, such as the product’s repairability and extending the usual usage of the products. This minimises the constant production of new items, which leads to conserving raw materials as well as energy. Having this initiative ensures a focus on keeping materials in use by maintaining high standards and quality for the maximum time possible. This includes incorporating elements that can be easily disassembled, with most segments designed to be reused and recycled (Greg, 2024). As pieces of the products can be taken apart easily and recycled, this leads to significant waste reduction. Eliminating waste by integrating the circular economy principle helps guide makers of different products to generate minimal waste throughout a product’s life cycle (Design and the Circular Economy, 2021).

Circular economy and product design demonstrate environmental sensitivity as evident in the reduction of raw material extraction and waste minimisation, carbon reduction in the production process, and reducing harmful materials that negatively affect the ecosystem through sustainable recycling and disposal practices. Designing materials for durability and repairability extends their useful life, reducing the demand for new products and linked raw material extraction. Implementing sustainable recycling and upcycling processes reduces the waste and cost of discarding by reclaiming resources and reusing them in different products altogether (Stories, 2024). This way, virgin resources can be preserved at the most minimal levels. This can also optimise the processing for material production as using recycled supplies is more energy-efficient than using organic raw materials. By keeping more materials in circulation and encouraging sustainable recycling practices, there is less waste to fill landfills, thereby reducing the risks associated with soil and water pollution (RTS - Recycle Track Systems, 2024). Sustainable disposing practices can help protect ecosystems by implementing environmentally sensitive design that prioritises non-toxic, biodegradable materials, reducing the risk of harmful substances entering ecosystems (Electric, 2024). By partaking in circular economy and product design principles, ecological footprint and resource consumption could be significantly reduced, creating a more sustainable future.

Introducing circular economy and product design addresses social concerns as this specific approach creates job vacancies in repair, refurbish, and recycling sectors while simultaneously contributing to SDG 12. Upon creating these prospects, it can lead to reduced prices for the advantage of customers. By 2030, this initiative is expected to generate millions of jobs specifically in the working fields of repair, refurbishing, and recycling (Relondon, 2022). Organisations, especially those who are socially conscious, are essential in terms of encouraging circular business models that are not only environmentally sustainable but also socially inclusive. By employing individuals from marginalised communities, these enterprises help address social inequality while fostering economic growth (WRAP - the Global Environmental Action NGO, n.d.). This course of action is vital as it not only has positive benefits for the general environment but is also socially inclusive. This is accomplished through skill enhancement methods that can be achieved via skill advancement programs for workers that fit the criteria for the circular economy initiative (European Commission et al., 2021). The circular economy addresses social concerns by providing job opportunities, encouraging social inclusion, enhancing skills, reducing waste, and engaging communities. These elements collectively contribute to a more sustainable and socially inclusive economic model, which is tied to SDG 12.

Circular economy and product design align closely with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, while also demonstrating cultural sensitivity in several ways. Circular economy is flexible in that it meets certain criteria that can be adapted to a variety of cultural contexts, including consumption patterns. This initiative tailors to diverse cultures, offering several alternatives to products and positions that can connect to the principal access related to ownership (Solo, 2023). Considering different cultures and practices, this initiative can be implemented in ways that allow the involvement of local communities and resonate culturally. By also highlighting reduction and reuse, this practice can contribute to preserving cultural heritage and other important traditional materials (How Culture and Heritage Can Advance Sustainable, Circular Development, n.d.). Through addressing cultural sensitivities, the ethical initiative promotes a holistic approach to sustainable development which resonates deeply in relation to progressing towards the achievement of SDG 12.

Circular economy and product design helping ethical problems faced by organisations

Ethical challenges commonly faced by multiple organisations can be addressed through circular economy and product design principles. Through this comprehensive initiative, organisations can tackle these complex hurdles through several innovative approaches, including addressing environmental ethics through waste reduction and a sensitive approach to climate impacts. Organisations can also tackle social ethics through fair job practices and work on economic ethics by being resourceful and cost-effective. By inventing or altering materials as part of a product to improve durability and ensure longevity, organisations will be able to reduce waste, minimise environmental harm, and prevent natural resources from being used unnecessarily, which leads to further conservation of valuable raw materials and a reduced ecological footprint (Good Organisation Organisation, 2023). Different strategies within the initiative lead to reduced energy consumption along with emissions across a product's lifecycle, promoting sustainability. As product design could be altered to be more durable and efficient, this can minimise transportation emissions and limit new production for the same products, creating a more sustainable supply chain (Design for a Circular Economy - DCCEEW, 2023). Circular economy models explicitly emphasise repair, remanufacturing, and recycling at local levels; such activity would provide more job opportunities and foster local economic growth. This may foster ethical concerns with respect to labor practices and community economic development, requiring careful consideration and planning (Stretton, 2023). Promoting resourcefulness in organisations can help businesses navigate economic dilemmas by using resources efficiently and sustainably, ultimately leading to long-term financial and environmental benefits.

Practical guide for organisations

A comprehensive practical guide for organisations to use when evaluating and implementing sustainability initiatives, including effectively communicating to stakeholders, includes multiple methods and best practices. The critical evaluation phase consists of several key steps to ensure the accurate implementation needed based on each organisation's unique needs and context. These essential steps include thoroughly assessing current practices of the organisation, including conducting detailed audits on production measures and consumption patterns; this helps locate specific areas where improvement can be initiated and prioritised. Through this systematic approach, meaningful objectives and goals could be set for the organisation alongside stakeholders to potentially follow and achieve collaboratively. These objectives can include waste reduction, decreasing energy usage, implementing circular economy principles, and fostering innovation. Considering both short- and long-term benefits allows for efficiency to be realised and opens new revenue opportunities while promoting sustainability. With the help of these comprehensive steps, potential risks associated with sustainable practices, revenue streams, and risks in terms of the organisation's reputation could also be evaluated and mitigated. After careful and thorough analysis, strategic implementation would then be necessary. Based on the evaluation, developing a detailed step-by-step plan to tackle chosen goals connected to the UN's SDGs, with the inclusion of realistic timelines and necessary resources, would be helpful in working towards an agreed-upon achievement. Measures such as consistently monitoring and adjusting progress by establishing relevant KPIs to track progress would be a helpful step toward long-term success and continuous improvement. Communicating effectively with stakeholders includes identifying all parties involved in implementing an initiative, which can include business partners, customers, suppliers, investors, employees, and local communities. Tailored communication strategies can be implemented by being transparent with each party and customising each communication based on their relevance and interests. Building trust and acknowledging feedback is critical for both the relationships between the organisation and stakeholders as well as the overall success of the organisation in its sustainability journey. For continuous improvement and long-term sustainability, tracking statistics on performance as well as implementing constant reviews can effectively evaluate, implement, and communicate sustainability initiatives that align with UN SDGs based on a specific organisation's practices while also balancing profit with responsible consumption and production practices in an ever-evolving business landscape.

References

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Electric, S. (2024, March 25). Sustainable recycling: Everything you need to know. Schneider Electric Blog. https://blog.se.com/sustainability/2022/11/18/everything-you-need-to-know-about-sustainable-recycling/ European Commission, European Commission, European Commission, United Nations, Geissdoerfer, M., Korhonen, J., Zhu, J., Prieto-Sandoval, V., Schneider, D. R., Weber, U., Carvalho, M. M., & CIRAIG. (2021). DISCUSSING THE SOCIAL IMPACTS OF CIRCULARITY. In Consumer Insight Action Panel (CIAP). https://circulareconomy.europa.eu/platform/sites/default/files/ciap_social-impact_report.pdf

Experts, T. (n.d.). 5 Most popular choices for waste disposal: Which is most sustainable? https://www.triumvirate.com/blog/5-most-popular-choices-for-waste-disposal-which-is-most-sustainable

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Greg. (2024, March 22). Design and the circular economy. Circulab Academy. https://circulab.academy/circular-economy/design-and-the-circular-economy/ How culture and heritage can advance sustainable, circular development. (n.d.). https://www.sustaineurope.com/how-culture-and-heritage-can-advance-sustainable-circular-development-20230925.html

Martin. (2023, October 20). Sustainable consumption and production. United Nations Sustainable Development. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-consumption-production/ Nohra, Y. (2023, September 5). The SDG 12 challenges: Responsible Production & Consumption. https://www.blog-qhse.com/en/the-sdg-12-challenges-responsible-production-consumption RTS - Recycle Track Systems. (2024, February 20). What is sustainable waste management? - Recycle Track Systems. Recycle Track Systems. https://www.rts.com/blog/what-is-sustainable-waste-management/ Relondon. (2022, June 15). Circular economy predicted to create over a quarter of a million new jobs for Londoners over the next ten years - ReLondon. ReLondon. https://relondon.gov.uk/latest/circular-economy-predicted-to-create-over-a-quarter-of-a-million-new-jobs-for-londoners-over-the-next-ten-years Solo. (2023, November 29). Embracing the Circular Economy: Our Comprehensive Guide to the 7Rs. Solo Resource Recovery. https://www.solo.com.au/blog/embracing-the-circular-economy-a-comprehensive-guide-to-the-7rs/

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