Description
Automotive child safety seats represent a complex mix of legally mandated safety regulations, user interface requirements, material science, and structural engineering. Within the current linear industry model, however, these combined factors pose significant sustainability challenges; essentially creating a high volume, high impact, durable good, utilized as a high turnover consumable product with little to no viable end of life strategies beyond disposal. The objective of this study is to provide the foundations for evolving the current linear model into one of more sustainable circularity. The overarching goal being the transformation the product lifecycle of safety seats through the application of circular frameworks, coupled with supporting sustainable design practices to redefine the constructs of ownership, brand value, and product sustainability in this market space; with portability to other industries. In addition to framing the circular model, this study also probes into consumer value propositions and brand value associations. These perspectives hold the keys to creating a narrative that will enable sustainability to transcend beyond its definition, and into a seamless, tangible, and relevant aspect of the values they already hold; easing the pathway for the proliferation of circularity and a sustainable future.