Sowing circular design seeds in Singapore

The trip

During the COVID-19 period, CIRCO has trained over 60 trainers in 9 countries to activate companies and apply the CIRCO Method. These countries are fully digitally and remotely trained. The results are better than expected, but we have felt the lack of personal contact for matters such as personal motivation, uncertainties about participant ‘management’ and the details of the method. That is why it is very welcome that we can travel again and that I got the opportunity to visit the CIRCO Hubs in Singapore and Thailand, and Business of Design Week in Hong Kong in one trip*. This is a short impression of the first stop: Singapore.

The CIRCO Hub partner

The main reason for visiting Singapore is to strengthen the local eco-system and to make people enthusiastic about circular design and CIRCO International. Hub partner Chemistry is working hard on this but has noticed that although there is government policy for a green transition, the focus is mainly on waste management. That creates an extra challenge in a country where government encouragement is important for companies. Fortunately, the hub is perseverant that with more effort next year, circular design is “The next big thing after Design Thinking”.

The trainers

The 7 trainers from Chemistry and NYP have all executed their first Track in the past period and are enthusiastic about the method. They do indicate that it is difficult to guide service companies properly with the method and will therefore see together what they can add to the method to facilitate these companies better.

The designers

Many designers I have met, wanted to design circularly. The Design Singapore Council is a pivot in this and they would like to offer the Class, are very enthusiastic about the Circular Design Framework, and would like to fill it in with a number of sectors. Preferably to be widely publicized at the Singapore Design week in 2023.

Designers from 8 nationalities were present at a meeting of SEA Climate Designers. A super energetic group that has a broader scope than just circular design, but would like to get started with CIRCO. Super nice to meet Stephanie Arrowsmith, regional head of Impact Hub, with whom we will train a regional network in Europe and SEA local driver Natalie Seisser.

The companies

The business population in Singapore itself is not ideal for CIRCO. Although there are many regional headquarters, production often takes place outside Singapore. That also gives opportunities. The CIRCO Method will soon be used for a large program for an IT equipment supplier (name to be announced soon) and its suppliers to start circular co-creation. In addition, there are many more service companies than manufacturing companies located in Singapore. The trainers are working on suitable facilitation of the CIRCO Method for service companies.

The educational institutions

There are many private and public educational institutions in Singapore. There is already cooperation with NYP and during the visit I met Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Many of them want to work with both students and companies on circular design. We would like to elaborate on this further, but it still requires further coordination. Due to the great mutual competition, they would like some form of exclusivity in the collaboration, which is not in line with CIRCO’s impact drive and collaboration idea.

The embassy

Fortunately, the Dutch Embassy in Singapore is very supportive. I was able to check many of the above observations in a nice conversation with Astrid Seegers and they are trying to establish some more relevant contacts. I will talk to Joan Prummel soon to see how we can better connect circular procurement and -design.

 * And indeed, I made a lot of air miles for this trip. However, by doing most of the training digitally, combining the journey, and in the belief and expectation that the CIRCO Hubs significantly contribute to the circular transition, this carbon investment is justifiable for myself.