From waste to resource for a sustainable future

Abstract

Every day we produce waste that constitutes an environmental and economic problem. A quantity of this waste is recycled, reused or composted and a quantity is sent to landfills. How can we produce less waste and using waste as a resource? Reducing waste is one of the objectives of the circular economy and their recycle asks us to rethink production and consumption models, this implies that design is a strategic element. In fact, in recent years design played a key role in the transition from a linear to a circular economy with a design based on the efficient use of materials, the reduction of the amount of waste generated, intervening on durability, repairability, the possibility of updating and recyclability of the products themselves. This article will analyse the contributions of design from processes optimization to waste prevention strategies, up to process circularity. The sector of stone materials and recycled materials born from processing/production or consumption waste and reintegrated into the biological cycle will be considered. The aim of this article is to show the connection of contemporary design with the environment, products and materials and to show that wastes will be a problem or a resource depending on their management.