Tools for sustainable product development

38 Principles for Sustainable Product Design

Do you want to make your products more sustainable, but are unsure where to begin? Milani’s 38 Design Principles provide a clear, proven framework to help integrate sustainability considerations early and systematically into your product development process.

Download the 38 principles for sustainable design

38 Design Principles: A Clear Framework for Sustainable Product Development

Product development is changing as a result of new regulations like the CSRD and ESPR and new requirements for repairability. Sustainability is now a crucial component of product strategies, portfolio roadmaps, and briefs; it is no longer optional.

As a result, there is a growing need for guidance. Many teams are aware that they need to develop products more sustainably, but they are unsure of where to begin or which topics to focus on.

That clarity is provided by Milani's 38 Design Principles. The principles, which are based on years of practical ecodesign and circular economy experience, translate complex ecological, social, and circular requirements into clear, practical design ideas.

Whether you are redesigning an existing product, developing a new generation, or developing a circular service, the principles offer a succinct overview to help your teams ask the right questions and structure discussions.

Shared foundations for sustainable product decisions

Milani's 38 Design Principles offer a common starting point that highlights potentials for sustainable product innovation, from material selection and repairability to user behavior, circular strategies, and end-of-life scenarios.

The principles help teams to identify relevant topics and discuss them in a structured way. Simultaneously, the principles promote a common language and understanding among product management, R&D, engineering, procurement, and marketing, which is essential for defining a clear path for product sustainability.

Milani uses the principles in co-creation sessions and consulting projects to swiftly identify strategic questions, generate fresh solution approaches, and create long-term sustainable product strategies. The principles serve as a catalyst for discussions, strengthening internal alignment, increasing the visibility of priorities, and creating a strong shared framework for later development stages.

With our long-standing expertise in ecodesign and the circular economy, we help companies implement product sustainability in a pragmatic, technically feasible, and economically viable way.

Discover sustainable design potentials

Download the 38 principles for sustainable - design free of charge
Milani Design Consulting Agentur fuer Ecodesign Kreislaufwirtschaft nachhaltiges Produktdesign

Co-Creation workshops that bring clarity

Would you like to use the cards in a workshop?

Our practical sessions, ranging from half-day inspirational workshops to design and strategy support for projects, help teams to understand sustainability and transform ideas into tangible, desirable, and economically viable products.

Contact us to learn how we can support you on your path to sustainable product innovation.

More

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38 Principles for Sustainable Design explained

Recyclable and recycled materials

One promising strategy for developing sustainable products is to use reusable and recyclable materials.

 

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Nando Schmidlin
Get in touch!
Nando Schmidlin
Sustainable Innovation Strategist
welcome@milani.ch
+41 44 914 74 74