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Conceptual Understanding: The first step to sustainable design is to consider a product, service or system in relation to eco-design and analyse its impact using life cycle analysis. The designer then develops these to minimise environmental impacts identified from this analysis. Considering sustainability from the beginning of the process is essential.
Green design versus sustainable design
Green Design
Designing in a way that takes account of the environmental impact of the product throughout its life.
Green design began when consumers started to demand eco-friendly products as a result of concerns over damage to our environment.
Green design refers to the development of products to have a reduced impact on the environment.
Products that have little or no effect on the environment.
Cradle to the grave approach
Shorter (than sustainable design) therefore easier and cheaper to address environmental concerns in products.
Incremental idea generating techniques are feasible as possibly only small changes need to be made.
Sustainable Design
Designing physical objects and services in accordance with the principles of social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
Sustainable design is based on the growing realisation that what we have done so far is not enough. Sustainable products provide social and economic benefits while protecting public health, welfare and the environment throughout their life cycle—from the extraction of raw materials to final disposal.
Deals with TBL sustainability, economic, environmental & Social
Cradle to cradle approach
Longer timescale which can affect the R & D stage (system wide research needed) of the design process increases costs therefore may not be feasible.
Idea generating techniques are more radical to re-think (overhaul/ redesign) the nature of the product and how it works.
Datschefski’s five principles of sustainable design
Philosopher and design guru Edwin Datschefski describes five design requirements for sustainable products
The first three mimic the protocols used by plant and animal ecosystems:
Cyclic: The product is made from organic materials, and is recyclable or compostable, or is made from minerals that are continuously cycled in a closed loop. The idea here is that there should be no such thing as waste. All by-products should be the 'food' for something else, just like photosynthesis. Metals can be recycled again and again. Something that really has to be thrown away might be burned to release the energy 'locked up' in it. Biodegradable materials can be composted to provide nutrients for the soil. In this way carbon and nitrogen can re recycled.
Solar: The product uses solar energy or other forms of renewable energy that are cyclic and safe, both during use and manufacture. The sun can give us energy directly through photovoltaic cells, and through using other types of solar panels. But wave and wind power are also the product of the sun's energy. Hydro-electricity is made possible by rain falling: again this is powered by the sun. Biomass can be converted into energy. The sun makes plants grow, and we eat the plants (or animals that have eaten the plants). Thus, our energy comes indirectly from the sun. Also we can burn biomass to generate heat energy.
Safe: The product is non-toxic in use and disposal, and its manufacture does not involve toxic releases or the disruption of ecosystems. Are all releases to air, water, land or space the 'food' for other systems? A safe product or process is one that does not harm other people or life, physically or chemically. You need to consider the whole life cycle of the product - the raw materials, extraction and manufacturing processes, the transport involved, the impact of distribution, sale, use (and misuse!) and ultimate 'disposal' of the product. A totally safe product generates nothing harmful, nor any waste, at any stage. We need also to think of the social impact of the product or process - see point 5 below.
The fourth requirement is based on the need to maximise the utility of resources in a finite world:
Efficient: The product's efficiency in manufacture and use is improved by a factor of ten, requiring 90% less materials, energy and water than products providing equivalent utility did in 1990. Every product requires energy, materials and water for its production and use. Can an equivalent or better product be produced with less?We need to reduce our use of energy, materials and water by up to 90%. In the long term, is the product economic to make? Or does it create problems that someone else will have to pay for in the future?
The fifth recognises that all companies have an impact on the people who work for them and the communities within which they operate:
Social: The product and its components and raw materials are manufactured under fair and just operating conditions for the workers involved and the local communities. Does the product manufacture and use support basic human rights and natural justice?Are the working conditions safe and compatible with human dignity? Are people paid properly at all stages of the supply chain? Does the product reinforce equality of opportunity? Does it enhance cultural diversity? Does it encourage participation in society?
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