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      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can explain how products can be redesigned within the circular economy.

      Key learning points

      1. Products can be redesigned or adapted to make future successful products.
      2. Refillable products enable a reduction in packaging that would otherwise end up in landfill.
      3. Existing products can inspire future design.

      Keywords

      • Circular economy - products and materials are kept in circulation and do not become waste

      • Life cycle assessment (LCA) - assesses the environmental impact at every stage of a product’s lifecycle

      • Design decisions - a deliberate choice to meet a requirement or solve a problem

      • Redesign - making design decisions to improve a product in some way

      • Modular design - a design approach where a product is made up of separate, interchangeable parts or modules

      Common misconception

      Redesigning a product for the circular economy only means making it recyclable.

      Redesign in the circular economy involves designing products to last longer, be repaired, reused, or upgraded to reduce waste throughout the product’s entire life cycle.

      Teacher tip

      Collect old packaging from deodorants/toothbrushes to compare new versions.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

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      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Maintenance is the regular and small fixes to keep a product working properly and lasting longer.

      Correct Answer: care

      Q2.
      Repair and maintenance of a product is the responsibility of the user and the ...

      Correct Answer: designer

      Q3.
      The ability to take apart products helps them to be ...

      Correct answer: recycled
      redesigned
      Correct answer: upcycled
      discarded

      Q4.
      A design opportunity happens when there is a or a need for a new or improved product.

      solution
      Correct answer: gap
      plan
      material

      Q5.
      Which of the following products follow a linear economy model?

      Correct answer: alkaline battery
      bag for life
      compostable bag
      Correct answer: fast fashion

      Q6.
      What does iteration mean in the context of design?

      creating a completely different product from scratch
      Correct answer: refining or improving a product through repeated development
      improving a product by making one final change

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      Match the terms to their definitions.

      Correct Answer:redesign,making design decisions to improve a product in some way

      making design decisions to improve a product in some way

      Correct Answer:life cycle assessment (LCA),assesses a product's environmental impact throughout its life cycle

      assesses a product's environmental impact throughout its life cycle

      Correct Answer:design decisions,a deliberate choice to meet a requirement or solve a problem

      a deliberate choice to meet a requirement or solve a problem

      Correct Answer:iteration,refining or improving

      refining or improving

      Q2.
      Which of the following is not a common reason for redesigning a product?

      to comply with newly introduced regulations
      to reflect feedback from users or stakeholders
      Correct answer: to intentionally increase production costs
      to take advantage of technological advancements

      Q3.
      Which redesign strategy helps to extend a product's life?

      Correct answer: using durable materials that resist wear and tear
      requiring specialist tools to repair
      designing it to go out of fashion quickly
      including components that are difficult to replace

      Q4.
      Which of the following best describes how the circular economy approach applies to product redesign?

      It focuses only on ensuring that products are recycled at the end of their life.
      It aims to reduce waste by designing products to be used once and then disposed.
      Correct answer: It involves designing products to last longer, be repaired, reused, or upgraded.
      It focuses on lowering the cost of manufacturing regardless of product lifespan.

      Q5.
      What is the positive environmental impact of using cardboard packaging for refillable deodorants?

      An image in a quiz
      it makes the deodorant smell stronger
      Correct answer: it is biodegradable and breaks down
      Correct answer: it does not require components or adhesives to hold together
      it keeps deodorant fresher for longer
      Correct answer: it can be recycled

      Q6.
      Match the redesigned product to the original product.

      Correct Answer:single use coffee cup,refillable metal drinks flask

      refillable metal drinks flask

      Correct Answer:polymer straw,metal straw

      metal straw

      Correct Answer:disposable nappy,washable cloth nappy

      washable cloth nappy

      Correct Answer:polymer toothbrush,bamboo toothbrush

      bamboo toothbrush

      Correct Answer:petrol cars,hybrid vehicles

      hybrid vehicles


      To help you plan your 9 design and technology lesson on: Redesign and rethink, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...