Circular Economy Design Sprint
We believe circular innovation can save the planet.
The problem
With every passing day, we risk exceeding the planet’s capacities. We need to rethink how businesses can better integrate with the environment if we hope to regenerate the natural world and sustain livelihoods and societies for future generations.
Our approach
The Design Sprint harnessed design-thinking to consider the urgent need to transition to a circular economy. A circular economy supports a cycle of use, reuse and recycle – rather than the traditional ‘take, make, dispose’ economic model – for a more sustainable and resilient economy.
Sixty students from UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture and UNSW Science took part in the two-day immersive workshop and design sprint that culminated in a pitching competition for a total of $11,000 in prize money.
The workshop looked at contexts and causes (how/why we reached the current impasse), and circular economymethodologies, frameworks and design practices (how to overcome problems and negative impacts).
Students engaged in systems mapping to better understand and manage these interconnected systems to influence positive change. They then applied these skills, collaborating in interdisciplinary teams to develop a solution to challenges drawn from the UNSW Environmental Sustainability Plan.
The move to a circular economy requires the skills of scientists, designers and architects as well as educators, policymakers, linguists, social scientists, media experts and the arts. The training provided a model for working collaboratively across diverse skillsets to embed innovative systemic change.
The outcomes
A student-driven service to rehome, repurpose and recycle unwanted household goods from student accommodation won the inaugural Design Sprint in 2023.
The project, Home Hub, addresses the significant waste created as thousands of students move in and out of student accommodation each year, buying and discarding household goods, such as appliances and soft furnishings.
Button Shop, an on-campus service that teaches simple mending skills to reduce fast fashion’s environmental footprint, won second prize, and Share-a-bite, a service that repurposes campus catering food waste to assist students struggling with cost-of-living expenses, won third prize.
Revolve, a UNSW clothes-swap community system, won the People’s Choice award.
Students gained a Credly micro-credential, along with recognition of their participation on their Australian Higher Education Graduate Statement (AHEGS).
Harness design-thinking. Invest in circular innovation for urgent systemic change.
Project partners
- philo & co - a circular economy consultancy that helps design agencies and brands implement circular business models and design practices.
- UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture
- UNSW Science
Work with us
The UNSW Innovation Hub tackles diverse problem-solving projects, varying in size, complexity and subject matter. We specialise in complex challenges that require collaboration, a design-led approach, and that can’t be addressed by a single discipline.
If you have a project proposal or potential partnership that you would like to discuss, please get in touch.
- Overview
- News
- Our team
- References