Earth Compatible by Katie Morgenroth from Google | Circular Design Summit 2025

How can design help tackle the global e-waste challenge?

In this episode, Katie Morgenroth, Head of Sustainable Design at Google, explains how her team works across hardware products like Pixel, Nest, and Fitbit to reduce environmental impact. She shares Google's approach to using recycled materials in metals and textiles, extending software support to make devices last longer, and developing 100% plastic-free packaging.

Katie describes the collaborative work with engineers, materials scientists, and supply chain teams needed to redesign products for repairability and durability, and emphasizes the value of sharing design guides and learnings openly. She also talks about using storytelling and exhibitions to make circular design visible, and why embracing “progress over perfection” is essential for industry-wide change.

This episode is part of the Circular Design Summit series, a Circularity.fm series in collaboration with the German Design Council.

People
Katie Morgenroth, Head of Sustainable Design at Google
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiemorgenroth/

Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:19 Katie's Background and Google's Design Philosophy
05:58 Sustainable Design Practices at Google
06:49 Case Studies: Google Home Mini and Pixel Phones
08:48 Innovations in Materials and Packaging
12:39 Focus on Repair and Durability
14:44 Plastic-Free Packaging Initiative
19:00 Future Goals and Net Zero Emissions by 2030
22:36 Collaborative Workshops and Industry Insights

About
Google is a leading American technology company renowned for its dominance in internet search, online advertising, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. Founded in 1998, Google has grown into one of the world’s most influential and valuable brands, serving billions of users with products like Search, Gmail, YouTube, and Android.

As a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. since 2015, Google continues to expand its reach across digital services and platforms. In addition to its software and internet services, Google has made substantial investments in hardware, producing devices such as Pixel smartphones, smart speakers, and wearables, establishing a multibillion-dollar hardware business in recent years.

Further Links
https://www.german-design-council.de/aktivitaeten/circular-design-summit

One-page Summary
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