Transforming the closed loop economy

Changing the business model from linear to circular is not just a matter of ecology – it is also a response to rising customer expectations, changing regulations and cost pressures. But how to approach this transformation wisely and methodically?

At Salto Strategies, we help companies design solutions in the spirit of a circular economy that are both more environmentally responsible and more businesslike. Here are three key steps to start with:

1. map the current impact and potential for change

You don’t have to start with a revolution – it makes sense to start with an analysis. A circular audit allows you to identify where the biggest material losses, overproduction, or inefficient processes are today. It’s a basis for designing solutions based on real data.

Example: We designed a “product-as-a-service” model for an office equipment company – customers pay for access, not ownership. The result? Increased retention and lower service cost.

2. integrate GOZ into design thinking

Circular economy doesn’t end with recycling. It’s all about designing to prevent waste – for example, through modularity, repairability, or reuse of components. Design is key.

Tip: Combine classic sprint design with circular design principles – the result can be entirely new models of operation, not just a “green version” of the current product.

3. involve your team and partners

GOZ is a team game – success depends on how well we can involve different departments, partners and customers in the change process. That’s why we focus on workshops, value chain mapping and building solutions together.

The result: one of our customers created a new service for component recovery and remanufacturing with the help of third-party partners – increasing margins and reducing waste by 35%.