The challenge
Planned obsolescence and mounting waste are a growing problem at local and national levels. In Germany, around 48.9 million tonnes of municipal waste are generated annually, with an average of 613 kg per person each year, significantly above the EU average (Statistisches Bundesamt, 2023). Despite the city of Kiel implementing a zero-waste strategy, residents still produce an average of 497 kg of waste per person annually (Abfallwirtschaftsbilanz, 2022).
Industrial designers lack knowledge on how to integrate circularity into their business models and remain in the path dependencies of the linear economy. By improving their knowledge of circularity, they can present alternative options and guide clients toward more sustainable solutions.
The format
Anschar GmbH developed a two-part programme. First, a four-day short project called "Goldmine", in which industrial designers created new products using metal sourced directly from a junkyard. This hands-on challenge demonstrated how discarded materials can be transformed into valuable, high-quality designs.
The second module focused on the strategic side of circularity. Participants explored circular design principles, circular business models, and the economic benefits that arise from more sustainable and cost-effective design. The first module ran in cooperation with Muthesius University of Fine Arts; the second with Circular Design Hub Hamburg.
The results
The two-module programme reached more than 40 participants directly, plus a wider audience via social media.
In the Goldmine short project, 32 participants created over 20 products that incorporated circular design approaches such as modularity, repairability, use of secondary materials, emotional design and design for disassembly. In the second module, 8 participants gained a solid understanding of circular design principles and expanded their professional network with new industry contacts.
What other cities can reuse
The very visible outcomes of the Goldmine short project made a difference in showing how attractive new products can be designed out of re-used materials. There was high participation interest and strong audience involvement, so the programme is readily replicable to other organisations.
One thing to do differently: reach beyond creatives and industrial designers to also include the engineers who are involved in designing products.
Discover Anschar in Kiel
Anschar GmbH is a creative centre in Kiel running circular design and entrepreneurship formats.
