The traditional manufacturing paradigm is structured around a linear “take–make–dispose” model that prioritizes economic growth and resource throughput. While effective in supporting industrial expansion, this model has produced significant environmental and social consequences, including elevated carbon emissions, accelerated climate change, depletion of finite resources, and widespread ecosystem degradation.

The circular economy (CE) has emerged as a leading framework for addressing these challenges by promoting systemic shifts in production and consumption patterns. Unlike the linear model, CE emphasizes strategies that retain material and product value for as long as possible, thereby minimizing waste generation and reducing dependence on virgin resources. Its growing prominence is reflected in policy agendas such as the European Union's Circular Economy Action Plan.

This presentation discusses the impact of CE and how it is being addressed in Meteorology today. Whereby the methods and practices of developing products for a sustainable future supports the physical product offerings in their ability to monitor changes in the environment.

• The development, definition and wholescale implementation of a successful circular economy design environment that leverages digital enabling technologies, will rewrite the normalised considerations of Contextual and Conceptual design practices; paving the way for a holistic CE approach to raw material usage to be realised while pushing the Meteorological sector into Industry 5.0 and beyond.