Sustainabilty and design for sustainability

For companies that involved in product manufacture this means that their designers need to better understand the negative environmental and social impacts of the products they produce and understand how to make the required changes to develop products which contribute to a sustainable business. The ultimate aim for business should be to design and develop profitable products which are both environmentally and socially responsible.

Good design will ensure a product contains a rationalised number of materials and components; that consumer health and safety issues are considered; that it functions appropriately and effectively and communicates this function clearly; that is ‘styled’ appropriately; is ergonomically correct and complies with legislation requirements. Eco-design goes further by aiming to reduce the environmental impact of each stage of the product life cycle.

Green Design: – Green design focuses on single issues, for example the inclusion of recycled or recyclable plastic, or consideration of energy consumption

Eco-design: – Environmental considerations are considered at each stage of the design process.

Design for sustainability: – Design that considers the environmental (for example resource use, end of life impact) and social impact of a product (for example usability, responsible use).

Sustainability: – Sustainability is considered to be more of a direction than a destination that we will actually reach.



Design for sustainability: a practical approach
By Tracy Bhamra and Vicky Lofthouse