Design

• Sustainability - Not causing permanent damage to the environment and not using up finite resources.
• Carbon footprint - amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmospher by making, using and eventually reusing, recycling and disposing of a product at the end of its lifetime.
• When a new product is made, resources and the finished product itself are transported which contributes to its carbon footprint by releasing greenhouse gases to produce enrgy for the transport.
• Carbon foortprint also includes the emissions that occur during manufacture and the eventual reuse, recycling or disposal of the product.
• More energy needed in a product's processes, the bigger the carbon footprint.
• Carbon dioxide is usually released when a product is used.
• The bigger a carbon footprint, the more contribution it has to global warming.
• When a product wears out, it becomes waste and disposed of which can cause pollution.
• Biodegradable - material will rot away naturally.
• Design for Dissassembly - new product is designed so it can easily be taken apart at the end of its lifetime. They can then be recycled to make other products.
• Palnned obselescense - products are designed to become useless quickly.
• Built in obsolescence is bad for the environment because more materials and energy are used to make new products.
• Design for maintenance - products that are designed to last and can be made durable.
• Continuous improvement - designers are constantly trying to make their products better.
• Continuous improvement is environmentally damaging because:

  • Consumers replace existing products with new ones which can lead to the old ones being disposed of.
  • New replacement products that are made have a carbon footprint.
• Continuous improvement can help the environment as they can improve their products to have a reduced environmental impact.