Sustainable production and consumption: Design for disassembly as a circular economy tool

Circular economy is intended to ensure that resources are kept in the economy and at the highest possible economic value for as long as possible. It therefore enables a more efficient use of embedded materials after their end of life in a certain product, service or investment. Several practices enable this result, including design for disassembly. This Foresight Brief showcases the definition and main principles behind this practice, as well as the challenges and opportunities it brings. It also gives practical examples of its implementations in sectors such as the built environment, electronics and textiles, along with a set of concerns and policy recommendations that could enable shifting the design for disassembly from good practice to common use practice across the globe.