PhD defence Cris García Saravia Ortiz de Montellano

Keywords: Circular Economy, Sustainable Development, Sustainability assessment, Systems thinking

"Sailing Against The Wind: A critical exploration of the role of Circular Economy strategies and their assessment in enabling sustainability transitions"

Sailing against the wind – can Circular Economy really deliver sustainability?

A circular economy (CE) is an economic model aimed at keeping materials and products in use for as long as possible through practices like reuse, recycling, and refurbishment. Often this model is promoted as the answer to environmental and social challenges, but does it always live up to the hype? 

This research by Cris García Saravia Ortiz de Montellano critically examines whether CE strategies, like recycling, redesign, and durability, actually lead to improved sustainability, or if their benefits are sometimes overestimated.

Cris’ study focuses on real-world examples, including the redesign of industrial footwear. Using tools like Life Cycle Assessment, it reveals a key insight: while individual circular strategies (such as recycling a single component) don’t always reduce environmental impact, combining multiple strategies at the product level, like making shoes more durable and recyclable, can create meaningful benefits. 

Her research also introduces a hands-on educational approach, tested with over 600 students and 22 companies, showing how “systems thinking” can help students and young professionals innovate in ways that are both circular and sustainable.

However, Cris warns that circularity alone isn’t enough. For CE to truly drive sustainability, strategies must align across design, policy, and education. Most importantly, success depends on people, like designers, businesses, and policymakers, taking responsibility for social and ecological outcomes. In short, circular transitions require more than just technical fixes; they demand care, commitment, and a willingness to challenge assumptions.

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