Circonnect is a knowledge platform for circular design. In 2022, around 20 knowledge institutions, acceleration organizations, industry associations and design hubs took the initiative to lay a solid foundation for the transition to a circular economy. Circonnect is a program of CLICKNL and is subsidized by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management.

Within the Circonnect expert team, Partners for Innovation is primarily involved in the development of design tools. In our vision, more than just information is needed to get companies moving. Everything we do must be applicable, scalable, and activate businesses. This means we develop tools that are simple and practical to use.

The design tools are intended for companies and designers who already have ideas about circularity but want to elevate their knowledge and skills to the next level. This includes participants who have completed a CIRCO track but are not yet experts, as well as companies that need tools to put their circular ambitions into practice.

The tools can be used both collaboratively and individually. Our experience shows that learning and applying knowledge together in a workshop setting works best. It motivates and inspires to work alongside other entrepreneurs or designers. A physical meeting also prevents distractions from daily concerns, and guidance from a knowledgeable trainer increases the likelihood that the knowledge will stick and lead to real transitions in business processes.

The tools we have developed together with other organizations include:

• Supply Chain Collaboration Tool – Quickly gain insight into the success factors and obstacles of chain collaboration.
• Circular Filter – Statement of Requirements (SoR) Tool – Learn how to integrate circular economy principles into the design process.
• Circular Design & User Influence Tool – Understand how to encourage customers to make circular choices through (re)designing products, services, and systems.
• Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) Tool – Identify harmful chemical substances in your supply chain and learn how to account for them in design and material selection. This tool was developed in collaboration with the RIVM.
• Closing the Loop Tool – Get familiar with two archetypal collection systems and explore how to organize them effectively.
• Rethink & Reuse Brainstorm Tool – This tool helps you critically assess the primary function of your product or packaging. It has been developed together with Rijkswaterstaat and Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. The “Refuse & Rethink” webinar in spring 2024 was one of its spin-offs. You can download the presentation or watch the video of this knowledge session.

Interested?

Would you like to learn more about how we can support you with circular design tools? Contact Ingeborg Gort or Flora Poppelaars. Also, visit our page on circular design and entrepreneurship.