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What is "Design for Sustainability"?
What is "Design for Sustainability"?
Design for Sustainability (DFS) is the pinnacle of all DFX concepts, under which all other concepts reside
This does not mean the other DFX examples are irrelevant, but rather you should always consider - AT THE VERY LEAST - Design for Sustainability
That being said, DFS is also arguably the hardest goal to achieve with any design, as it takes into account how the design affects all 3 Pillars of Sustainability (People, Planet, & Profit) throughout the entire lifecycle of the product
Balancing the affects of a design throughout all 3 pillars is incredibly difficult and almost impossible to achieve perfection with (at least by human-made designs)
Design for sustainability can be achieved by incorporating sustainable principles into the design process, such as life cycle assessment, biomimicry, and circular economy, as well as collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, such as engineers, ecologists, social scientists, and community members.
Simple examples of design for) sustainability include:
Building design that incorporates affordable housing, community spaces, and job training programs, in addition to energy-efficient systems and green roofs, to promote both environmental and social sustainability.
Product design that uses sustainable materials and is designed for easy repair and upgrade, in addition to being energy-efficient, to promote both environmental and economic sustainability.
Industrial design that incorporates closed-loop systems, such as recycling waste materials back into the production process, and employs fair labor practices, to promote both economic and social sustainability
DFS Rules of Thumb
Some good, general rules of thumb to follow when designing products to be sustainable include:
Use low-impact and non-polluting materials
Design for disassembly of materials (Do not mix materials)
Use durable, long-lasting materials when appropriate
Use locally-available materials through local supply chains
Minimize waste generated
Reduce energy consumption
Cut down on pollution of air, water, soil
Product Lifecycle & Circular Economy/Design
Product Lifecycle & Circular Economy/Design
Product Lifecycle refers to the stages a product goes through from its initial design and development to its eventual disposal.
The stages of a product's lifecycle typically include:
Design and Development
Production
Distribution
Use
Disposal
Traditional Product Lifecycles are not sustainable, and are often referred to as Cradle-to-Grave lifecycles
Circular Economy refers to an economic system that is regenerative and restorative by design, and aims to keep products, components, and materials at their highest utility and value at all times, in contrast to the traditional linear economy which is "take, make, use and dispose" model.
Circular Design (AKA Cradle-to-Cradle) is the design methodology that considers the entire product lifecycle and aims to keep products, components, and materials at their highest utility and value at all times by designing for longevity, reparability, upgradability, and disassembly, as well as designing for the efficient use of resources and closed-loop production processes.
In short, all products have a Product Lifecycle, the ultimate goal of which should be a Circular Economy, which can be achieved through Circular Design
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
Product lifecycle management (PLM) software is a type of software that helps organizations manage the entire lifecycle of a product, from concept and design to retirement.
The software typically includes tools for product design, engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and support.
PLM allows companies to manage and share product data, collaborate on product development, and streamline product launch and end-of-life processes.
PLM software fits into the concepts of product lifecycle, circular economy, and circular design by providing a centralized platform for managing and sharing product data, which can be used to inform decisions about product design and development in order to promote a circular economy.
For example, PLM software can be used to track the materials and components used in a product, allowing companies to make more informed decisions about sourcing sustainable materials and designing for disassembly and recycling.
Additionally, it can also be used to track the performance of a product throughout its lifecycle, which can help companies make decisions about repairing, upgrading, or retiring products.
There are many different PLM software solutions available on the market, but some of the most commonly-used examples include:
Siemens Teamcenter: A comprehensive PLM solution that offers tools for product design, engineering, manufacturing, and analytics.
Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks PDM: This software is designed specifically for engineering and manufacturing companies and offers tools for product design, data management, and collaboration.
Autodesk Vault PLM: Vault PLM combines Vault Professional with Fusion 360 Manage for enterprise-wide collaboration and product lifecycle management.
PTC Windchill: A PLM software that offers tools for product design, engineering, manufacturing, and service and support.
Oracle Agile PLM: A PLM software that helps companies manage product data, collaborate on product development, and streamline product launch and end-of-life processes.
SAP PLM: A comprehensive PLM software that offers tools for product design, engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain management.
Aras Innovator: An enterprise-grade PLM solution that offers modular architecture, flexibility and scalability, and is designed for complex products and engineering processes.
In summary, PLM software is a tool that helps organizations manage the entire lifecycle of a product, from design to disposal.
It can be used in support of circular economy and circular design by providing a centralized platform for managing and sharing product data, which can be used to inform decisions about product design, development, and end-of-life processes.
3R/6R/10R & RIC's
3R/6R/10R & RIC's
You have almost certainly heard of 3R, though you may not have heard it called "3R" before.
For many decades, 3R has been the predominant, widely-agreed-upon standard for environmental sustainability.
However, it is lacking in true sustainability, and better methods have since taken over from 6R, to now finally 10R, which describes all the different ways a product lifecycle can "end" before returning, and orders them from most to least sustainable
REDUCE
This principle involves taking steps to minimize the amount of waste that is produced in the first place, such as by using less packaging or choosing products that are designed to be long-lasting and durable.
There are several ways that individuals and businesses can reduce their waste, including Reducing Consumption, Choosing Products with Less Packaging, Buying in Bulk, and Using Reusable Containers.
REUSE
It involves finding ways to use an item more than once, rather than disposing of it after a single use.
This can help to extend the life of an item and reduce the demand for new products, which can have a positive impact on the environment.
RECYCLE
This principle involves processing used materials so that they can be used again to create new products, rather than being discarded as waste.
REFUSE
This means declining to take part in activities or use products that contribute to waste or environmental degradation. For example, you could refuse single-use plastic bags or straws.
Some examples of ways to refuse include declining Single-Use Plastic Items, Refusing Products with Excessive Packaging, and Refusing to participate in activities that have a negative environmental impact
RETHINK / REIMAGINE
These strategies involve taking a more creative and innovative approach to finding solutions to environmental challenges.
Rethink could involve critically evaluating current practices and considering whether there might be more sustainable alternatives, or it could involve coming up with entirely new ideas for how to approach environmental challenges.
REPAIR
Repair involves taking steps to fix or restore an item that is broken or damaged, rather than replacing it. This can help to extend the life of an item and reduce the demand for new products, which can have a positive impact on the environment.
There are several ways that repair can be incorporated into sustainability efforts, including DIY Repair, Professional Repair, and Community Repair.
REMANUFACTURE
Remanufacturing involves taking used products or components and refurbishing them to a like-new condition, so that they can be used again.
This can be a more sustainable option than producing new products, as it conserves resources and reduces waste.
Remanufacturing can help to extend the life of these products and reduce the demand for new products to be manufactured, which can have a positive impact on the environment.
By incorporating remanufacture into sustainability efforts, we can help to conserve resources and reduce our impact on the environment.
REPURPOSE
Repurposing involves finding new uses for an item that was originally designed for a different purpose. This can help to extend the life of an item and reduce the demand for new products, which can have a positive impact on the environment.
Some examples of repurposing including Upcycling, Adaptive Reuse, and Creative Reuse.
RECOVER
Overall, the goal of recovery is to extract value from waste streams and minimize the amount of material that ends up in a landfill.
By incorporating recovery into sustainability efforts, we can help to conserve resources and reduce our impact on the environment.
Resin Identification Codes (RIC's)
Resin identification codes, also known as recycling codes or plastic codes, are a system of labeling used to identify the type of plastic used in a product. These codes, which are typically represented by a number between 1 and 7 inside a triangle of arrows, are used to help recyclers identify and sort different types of plastic for recycling.
Each code corresponds to a specific type of plastic, as follows:
PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) - commonly used in water bottles and other beverages containers
HDPE (High-density polyethylene) - commonly used in milk jugs, laundry detergent bottles, and other household containers
PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) - commonly used in pipes and siding
LDPE (Low-density polyethylene) - commonly used in plastic bags and wraps
PP (Polypropylene) - commonly used in yogurt containers, syrup bottles, and other food packaging
PS (Polystyrene) - commonly used in disposable cups and plates, meat trays and other packaging
Other - a catch-all category for all other types of plastic that don't fit into the other categories
These codes are used by recycling facilities to sort different types of plastic, as different types of plastic have different properties that make them suitable for different types of recycling processes.
Once plastics are sorted by the codes they are cleaned and shredded, then they can be melted and molded into new products.
Not all plastic products have these codes, and also not all recycling facilities have the capability to process all types of plastic codes, hence it's important to check with the local recycling facilities before disposing plastic products.
Not all plastics are recycled, and even the ones that are can leave a greater carbon footprint when recycled, rather than not recycling or even burning them
3.3✔ CHECKPOINT
3.3✔ CHECKPOINT
SCP Sustainability Analysis
SCP Sustainability Analysis
Determine the Sustainability of the SCP you made in a previous Module Challenge:
What material(s) is it made of, and was it the best choice? Why?
If not, what might be better option(s)?
What is the Lifecycle of the product?
How might you turn it into a Circular Design?
Come up with & measure product metrics related to the 3 Pillars of Sustainability (examples shown in table above)
Once done with your analysis, add documentation to your previously-created "__________ Analysis" Project page on your portfolio website (text/pictures/gifs/videos/etc.), including:
Your Sustainability Analysis
Specific ideas/suggestions for improved sustainability
Descriptions/summaries of what you did/learned
FOR FULL CREDIT ON THIS CHECKPOINT, SUBMIT:
Link to the page on your portfolio website (URL)
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