First Steps: Environmental Impact Reduction, Eco-Design and Sustainability Strategies.

Original work from:

http://www.business.vic.gov.au/

http://www.business.vic.gov.au/#70831

http://www.business.vic.gov.au/marketing-sales-and-online/business-sustainability/designing-sustainable-products


For related resources, Design for Disassembly, Eco-Design, Environment and AD Technology guidelines related to this can be downloaded for free at:
http://www.activedisassembly.com/strategy/

On this page

• Know the environmental impacts of your product
• Design products with the environment in consideration
• Reduce the environmental impacts of your design and sourcing process

Heading: 

Designing sustainable products
Source, design, and create products that are environmentally friendly.

Reduce your environmental impact

When designing your products, considering the environmental impacts of the whole lifecycle of that product is known as eco-design. Eco-design not only improves the environmental outcomes it may also reduce your costs in the long term.

What are the impacts?

The design and creation of products can require the extraction of natural resources, manufacturing, transportation and waste disposal at the end of life. As a product goes through these stages, energy and water are used, and waste, pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions are created. The impacts are outlined below.

Resource extraction and manufacturing

The extraction of natural resources – whether through mining, harvesting or land clearing – generates carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, uses water and land, and produces waste products that have to be disposed of in the environment. Transforming materials into products often requires complex manufacturing systems and this means there is a need for resources such as energy, water and materials, which will all contribute to the product’s environmental impacts.  Generally, the main impacts of manufacturing are due to the energy used to create the product and the emissions (air, water and waste) generated during the process.

Transport

Transportation is vital yet it also causes environmental impacts. The biggest issue is the production of carbon dioxide which contributes to climate change. Generally, products that are distributed by road or air have a larger impact than those transported by sea or rail. One issue with transportation is weight and wasted space.

Product use

Additional energy, fuel, water, cleaners, covers, attachments or other materials required for a product to achieve its function (for example, razors are pointless without blades) must be included in eco-design considerations. If a product needs services or other extras during its life, then these must be considered, as they will contribute further to the product’s environmental impact.  Both function and form – efficiency and quality – are important factors when considering a product’s use impacts. Durability and extended product life can reduce the impact of replacement and disposal, which links back to material selection, as discussed above. Equally, if the look and feel of a product is part of a passing fad, or the product isn’t convenient or effective, then even if it is durable it may not last long and be quickly replaced.

End of life

Will the product go into landfill or will it get recycled? While it may be impossible to know, eco-design can make recycling easier and landfill less damaging. If your product has to be thrown away (for example, the packaging) then make sure that it is more likely to be recycled. As a general rule, it is best to avoid organic materials (such as wood) going into landfill, because in a landfill site the materials are not exposed to oxygen and so, instead of disintegrating, tend to mix with other substances and produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Tips to design products that reduce environmental impacts

By investigating the potential impacts of your product and then finding ways of reducing these issues through eco-design, you can create functional, aesthetically pleasing and successful designs without locking in unnecessary environmental impacts. There are a number of ways you can design your products so they are sustainable, here are some tips:

• think eco-fibre: choose a fabric that will enhance durability and longevity, suit functionality, and allow for low impact maintenance
• less is more: reduce the ecological footprint of your product by designing patterns to use up as much of the fabric as possible. Also reduce hems and seams etc. where possible.
• think life cycle: try to find innovative ways of reducing the impacts of your product throughout its life, from packaging to the washing and care, and end of life
• label it: labels are an essential part of a garment and a great way to communicate eco-options to consumers
• make it last: select materials and design styles that will promote durability and longer use of the garment
• enhance recyclability: select materials that can be easily recycled, or design your product so it has timeless style.
• be efficient: select manufacturers and production processes that are energy efficient, use green, renewable energy and make efforts to reduce inputs such as water and chemicals.
• look for certification: ask your suppliers, manufacturers and contractors to provide you with independently verified certifications 
• make it multifunctional: encouraging customers to do more with less through multifunctional design promotes overall environmental benefits
• zero waste: find ways of using offcuts, scraps and damaged stock so that it minimises waste to landfill.
• offer a service: why not take your product back or let customers trade it in when they are finished with it? Then you can re-construct it into something new or donate it to charity? By offering a full service you can guarantee a closed loop – and your clients will keep coming back!
• reduce your VOCs: Volatile Organic Compounds are the funny smell you get from dyes and inks, and they are potent greenhouse gases so check with your supplier.