Leyla Acaroglu

Turkish-Australian sustainability innovator and founder of Disruptive Design, redefining circular economies and eco-conscious product development.

Leyla Acaroglu: The Eco-Design Revolutionary

Leyla Acaroglu is a designer, educator, and pioneer in sustainable innovation, recognized for her work in behavioral sustainability and circular economy systems. Born in Turkey and raised in Australia, she founded Disruptive Design Method, a framework that challenges industries to embed environmental ethics into product lifecycles. Her approach bridges design, anthropology, and environmental science, making her a leading voice in the green economy movement.

From Design to Disruption

Acaroglu’s career began in industrial design, but she shifted focus after realizing the environmental harm caused by fast fashion and single-use products. In 2010, she launched Eco Innovators, a consultancy helping brands like Patagonia and IKEA adopt circular strategies. Her 2013 TED Talk "Paper beats plastic? How to rethink those choices" debunked common eco-myths, earning over 1.8 million views.

Behavioral Sustainability and Education

Acaroglu emphasizes that sustainability requires both systemic change and individual behavior shifts. Her book "Disruptive Design: 10 Tools to Create Truly Sustainable Products, Services, and Systems" provides actionable strategies for designers and businesses to reduce waste. She also teaches at universities like Parsons School of Design, where she co-created the first graduate program in Sustainable Systems.

Global Impact and Policy Engagement

In 2020, Acaroglu advised the European Commission on circular economy policies, influencing directives to phase out single-use plastics. She co-founded Earth Day Network’s Circular Economy Initiative, which mobilized 500+ companies to adopt closed-loop practices by 2025. Her work with NGOs like Greenpeace has exposed the environmental costs of tech waste and fast fashion.

Controversies and Visionary Thinking

Acaroglu’s stance on "eco-shaming" has sparked debate—she argues that guilt-driven messaging alienates audiences. Instead, she promotes "joyful sustainability," emphasizing positive incentives. Her 2023 project, "The Joyful Sustainability Lab", designs products that merge functionality with emotional appeal to encourage eco-friendly choices.

Legacy and Future Goals

With over 200 clients across 40 countries, Acaroglu’s methods have diverted millions of tons of waste from landfills. She aims to scale her disruptive design principles into a global certification system, ensuring corporations quantify and mitigate their ecological footprints. Her vision—a world where every product tells a story of regeneration—continues to inspire a generation of eco-conscious innovators.