Sustainability Overview References - info can be found in a earlier blog
[http://pdsustainability.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-03-25T10%3A11%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=7]
o What is a carbon footprint?
http://timeforchange.org/what-is-a-carbon-footprint-definition
o Explain the 3 key pillars of sustainable design/development.
http://www.designcouncil.org.uk/About-Design/Business-Essentials/International-markets-by-Mark-Delaney/
o What is meant by Eco-efficiency?
Conceptual Framework Working Group of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. (2003). "Ecosystems and Human Well-being."
London: Island Press.
Chapter 5. "Dealing with Scale". pp. 107–124. I
SBN 155634030
o Find and explain two good examples of sustainable design.
Examples of sustainable design…
ModCell®
http://www.modcell.co.uk/ London 2012 Olympic Legacy
2012 Olympics
http://www.london2012.com/making-it-happen/sustainability/index.php
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
Thursday, 27 May 2010
Falkirk wheel is a good example as there is very little energy needed to turn it. Most of the movement comes from the weight of the top water tank being heavier than the bottom one. This pushes the wheel down.
Irn Bru glass bottles are another good example as they give the buyer the incentive to return the bottle to get 20p back. The bottles are then recycled, refilled and redistributed. If everyone did this no bottles would be needed again.
Irn Bru glass bottles are another good example as they give the buyer the incentive to return the bottle to get 20p back. The bottles are then recycled, refilled and redistributed. If everyone did this no bottles would be needed again.
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
Thursday, 6 May 2010
Sustainable Future
This is a quote from a book i was reading the other day.
" To create sustainable future, we must revamp the systems that support our lives. The challenge is twofold; to retrofit existing systems to make them as sustainable as possible and to build new systems using the principles of sustainable design."
Environmental Science - Creating a sustainable future page 49.
" To create sustainable future, we must revamp the systems that support our lives. The challenge is twofold; to retrofit existing systems to make them as sustainable as possible and to build new systems using the principles of sustainable design."
Environmental Science - Creating a sustainable future page 49.
Friday, 30 April 2010
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Issues I think must be considered in the future
I don’t think that the excessive nature of the consumption we rich western countries have can go on without dire consequences for us and the rest of the world. Things we take for granted now like plastics and oil may one day be out of supply and we will need a way of coping without them. It is our job as designers to come up with ideas and concepts to try and develop a sustainable solution, and a sustainable out come that future generations will see the benefits in.
Now I would like to refer to something I said earlier on the blog as a kind of means to create debate, in that what if as consumers, we could expect things to be biodegradable rather than a novelty. There are some very good examples out there of good and very smart use of materials and techniques in design, but these are at the moment expensive and have a novelty aspect to them that people may not want in their own homes. Maybe more time should be spent in making familiar objects environmentally friendly. I am suggesting that eco friendly should be a bit more socialised and keep in mind the average user.
Another thing that should be done for the good of the world at the expense of business would be to make products out of high quality components, reducing the need for lots of replacements. This would perhaps mean that new phones, MP3 players, Televisions etc will be in less demand and the technology (HD for example) people have in their homes would advance slower. Also to do this the consumer would need to have a level of moderation, HD or Blu Ray are just steps up from digital and DVD- which do the job people expect of them. This however would kill off big manufacturers, and because of this it is unlikely to happen.
I don’t think that the excessive nature of the consumption we rich western countries have can go on without dire consequences for us and the rest of the world. Things we take for granted now like plastics and oil may one day be out of supply and we will need a way of coping without them. It is our job as designers to come up with ideas and concepts to try and develop a sustainable solution, and a sustainable out come that future generations will see the benefits in.
Now I would like to refer to something I said earlier on the blog as a kind of means to create debate, in that what if as consumers, we could expect things to be biodegradable rather than a novelty. There are some very good examples out there of good and very smart use of materials and techniques in design, but these are at the moment expensive and have a novelty aspect to them that people may not want in their own homes. Maybe more time should be spent in making familiar objects environmentally friendly. I am suggesting that eco friendly should be a bit more socialised and keep in mind the average user.
Another thing that should be done for the good of the world at the expense of business would be to make products out of high quality components, reducing the need for lots of replacements. This would perhaps mean that new phones, MP3 players, Televisions etc will be in less demand and the technology (HD for example) people have in their homes would advance slower. Also to do this the consumer would need to have a level of moderation, HD or Blu Ray are just steps up from digital and DVD- which do the job people expect of them. This however would kill off big manufacturers, and because of this it is unlikely to happen.
What is eco efficiency?
The term 'eco-efficiency' was coined by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) in its 1992 publication 'Changing Course'. It is based on the concept of creating more goods and services while using fewer resources and creating less waste and pollution.
The WBCSD is a coalition of 150 companies worldwide that are united by a commitment to the principles of economic growth and sustainable development. Members are drawn from 30 countries and from 20 major industrial sectors, and include Nestlé, Royal Philips Electronics, AT&T, Kodak, 3M, Sony and Toyota.
Through the WBCSD, member companies exchange their experiences in implementing eco-efficiency and share their ideas with the business community worldwide.
The 1992 Earth Summit endorsed eco-efficiency as a means for companies to implement Agenda 21 in the private sector, and the term has become synonymous with a management philosophy geared towards sustainability.
According to the WBCSD definition, eco-efficiency is achieved through the delivery of ' ...competitively priced goods and services that satisfy human needs and bring quality of life while progressively reducing environmental impacts of goods and resource intensity throughout the entire life-cycle to a level at least in line with the Earth's estimated carrying capacity'.
This concept describes a vision for the production of economically valuable goods and services while reducing the ecological impacts of production. In other words eco-efficiency means producing more with less.
According to the WBCSD, critical aspects of eco-efficiency are:
A reduction in the material intensity of goods or services;
A reduction in the energy intensity of goods or services;
Reduced dispersion of toxic materials;
Improved recyclability;
Maximum use of renewable resources;
Greater durability of products;
Increased service intensity of goods and services.
The reduction in ecological impacts translates into an increase in resource productivity, which in turn can create competitive advantage.
Recently, the WBCSD has taken steps to extend its work on eco-efficiency to specific sectors. Currently there are special projects within the cement, electric utilities, forestry, mining and mobility sectors. In 2001, 11 companies from six countries embarked on a project addressing sustainability issues in the electric utilities sector.
In addition to the sectoral work, there are also several WBCSD projects on policy development and best practice, such as the European Eco-Efficiency Initiative.
Eco-efficiency is part of a broader concept called 'sustainable production and consumption' (SPC). This concept involves changes in production and consumption patterns that lead to sustainable use of natural resources. Businesses play a key role, both as consumers of raw materials and as producers of goods and services.
A project is under way in Canada to develop a set of indicators for eco-efficiency. The project, conceived by the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, began by developing a set of core indicators for energy, water and material 'intensity'. In 2000, it was extended to 12 Canadian companies from a range of manufacturing sectors. The project has since been expanded again, to cover 60 to 80 Canadian companies.
According to David McGuinty, president of NRTEE, the results 'demonstrate that eco-efficiency indicators can contribute in practical ways to improving the overall sustainability of key corporate sectors'.
From http://www.bsdglobal.com/tools/bt_eco_eff.asp
The term 'eco-efficiency' was coined by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) in its 1992 publication 'Changing Course'. It is based on the concept of creating more goods and services while using fewer resources and creating less waste and pollution.
The WBCSD is a coalition of 150 companies worldwide that are united by a commitment to the principles of economic growth and sustainable development. Members are drawn from 30 countries and from 20 major industrial sectors, and include Nestlé, Royal Philips Electronics, AT&T, Kodak, 3M, Sony and Toyota.
Through the WBCSD, member companies exchange their experiences in implementing eco-efficiency and share their ideas with the business community worldwide.
The 1992 Earth Summit endorsed eco-efficiency as a means for companies to implement Agenda 21 in the private sector, and the term has become synonymous with a management philosophy geared towards sustainability.
According to the WBCSD definition, eco-efficiency is achieved through the delivery of ' ...competitively priced goods and services that satisfy human needs and bring quality of life while progressively reducing environmental impacts of goods and resource intensity throughout the entire life-cycle to a level at least in line with the Earth's estimated carrying capacity'.
This concept describes a vision for the production of economically valuable goods and services while reducing the ecological impacts of production. In other words eco-efficiency means producing more with less.
According to the WBCSD, critical aspects of eco-efficiency are:
A reduction in the material intensity of goods or services;
A reduction in the energy intensity of goods or services;
Reduced dispersion of toxic materials;
Improved recyclability;
Maximum use of renewable resources;
Greater durability of products;
Increased service intensity of goods and services.
The reduction in ecological impacts translates into an increase in resource productivity, which in turn can create competitive advantage.
Recently, the WBCSD has taken steps to extend its work on eco-efficiency to specific sectors. Currently there are special projects within the cement, electric utilities, forestry, mining and mobility sectors. In 2001, 11 companies from six countries embarked on a project addressing sustainability issues in the electric utilities sector.
In addition to the sectoral work, there are also several WBCSD projects on policy development and best practice, such as the European Eco-Efficiency Initiative.
Eco-efficiency is part of a broader concept called 'sustainable production and consumption' (SPC). This concept involves changes in production and consumption patterns that lead to sustainable use of natural resources. Businesses play a key role, both as consumers of raw materials and as producers of goods and services.
A project is under way in Canada to develop a set of indicators for eco-efficiency. The project, conceived by the National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy, began by developing a set of core indicators for energy, water and material 'intensity'. In 2000, it was extended to 12 Canadian companies from a range of manufacturing sectors. The project has since been expanded again, to cover 60 to 80 Canadian companies.
According to David McGuinty, president of NRTEE, the results 'demonstrate that eco-efficiency indicators can contribute in practical ways to improving the overall sustainability of key corporate sectors'.
From http://www.bsdglobal.com/tools/bt_eco_eff.asp
Explain the three pillars of sustainable design/development
People
When talking about people it refers to the user, the manufacturer and the people involved at the primary farming level of the products life cycle. The product may change the way a user thinks about how a product is made and it may also inspire thought on how people consider what they buy.
Planet
The effect the product has on the planet as a whole. This takes into account the pollution farming the raw materials, the amount of distance it travels, the method of manufacture, how much power it uses, and the waste it creates. Factors worth considering are what happens when the product is finished with and how far it needs to travel.
Profit
The amount of money the product takes to produce must be covered in the sale of the product. It is impossible to justify investing in a product when it will be at a loss. It is possible to be a non profit making company, but the books still need to be balanced. Profits made can be re-invested in the company to help with expansion.
Taken from the INDECO Pdf file used on the previous question
People
When talking about people it refers to the user, the manufacturer and the people involved at the primary farming level of the products life cycle. The product may change the way a user thinks about how a product is made and it may also inspire thought on how people consider what they buy.
Planet
The effect the product has on the planet as a whole. This takes into account the pollution farming the raw materials, the amount of distance it travels, the method of manufacture, how much power it uses, and the waste it creates. Factors worth considering are what happens when the product is finished with and how far it needs to travel.
Profit
The amount of money the product takes to produce must be covered in the sale of the product. It is impossible to justify investing in a product when it will be at a loss. It is possible to be a non profit making company, but the books still need to be balanced. Profits made can be re-invested in the company to help with expansion.
Taken from the INDECO Pdf file used on the previous question
What is a carbon footprint?
A carbon footprint is defined as:
The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).
In other words: When you drive a car, the engine burns fuel which creates a certain amount of CO2, depending on its fuel consumption and the driving distance. (CO2 is the chemical symbol for carbon dioxide). When you heat your house with oil, gas or coal, then you also generate CO2. Even if you heat your house with electricity, the generation of the electrical power may also have emitted a certain amount of CO2. When you buy food and goods, the production of the food and goods also emitted some quantities of CO2.
This is from Time for change.com
Act on co2 is good for doing a test on your carbon footprint.
A carbon footprint is defined as:
The total amount of greenhouse gases produced to directly and indirectly support human activities, usually expressed in equivalent tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).
In other words: When you drive a car, the engine burns fuel which creates a certain amount of CO2, depending on its fuel consumption and the driving distance. (CO2 is the chemical symbol for carbon dioxide). When you heat your house with oil, gas or coal, then you also generate CO2. Even if you heat your house with electricity, the generation of the electrical power may also have emitted a certain amount of CO2. When you buy food and goods, the production of the food and goods also emitted some quantities of CO2.
This is from Time for change.com
Act on co2 is good for doing a test on your carbon footprint.
What is meant by Design For sustainability?
Design for sustainability refers to the process of designing goods and services that takes into account all the dimensions of sustainable development and particularly environment, economic and social factors.
I feel this is a good explanation as it refers to the three Ps of sustainable design.
http://indeco.com/Files.nsf/Lookup/dfs/$file/Dfs.pdf
Design for sustainability refers to the process of designing goods and services that takes into account all the dimensions of sustainable development and particularly environment, economic and social factors.
I feel this is a good explanation as it refers to the three Ps of sustainable design.
http://indeco.com/Files.nsf/Lookup/dfs/$file/Dfs.pdf
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Friday, 23 April 2010
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)”
Design for Sustainability, a Practical Approach Bhamra, Tracy
For designing something, you need to take a practical approach on it. This is basically the life span of how a product is made, from the brief hand out, to being recycled.
Design for Sustainability, a Practical Approach Bhamra, Tracy
For designing something, you need to take a practical approach on it. This is basically the life span of how a product is made, from the brief hand out, to being recycled.
Why should designers give a damn
Designers should give a damn because it is getting to an era where design approaches that dont take into consideration the life cycle simply wont succeed. The Government are clamping down more and more on recycling and its going to become harder for designers to answer why their products arn't environmentally friendly, when there is more available recycled materials than ever before.
What are the issues that a Product Designer will have to consider when designing products in the future? How do you think this can this be achieved?
Well, the most important issues to me would have to be trying to use as little fuel as possible to reduce the carbon monoxide, and trying to make a product as eco friendly as possible – meaning trying to create a product which you can reuse over and over again.
These aren’t easy to achieve but yeah they’re possible. I think it’s really something I personally couldn’t do; it would really need to be the government. I could hopefully make a few products here and there which will help the environment, but the government really need to get a big push on all this, by reducing the co2 additions.
These aren’t easy to achieve but yeah they’re possible. I think it’s really something I personally couldn’t do; it would really need to be the government. I could hopefully make a few products here and there which will help the environment, but the government really need to get a big push on all this, by reducing the co2 additions.
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