Sustainability in the Design Process
In recent years, sustainability has become a word of ambiguous meaning. A buzzword of multiple and constantly changing definitions, its meaning oftentimes malleable and increasingly dependent on circumstance, subject and time.
When talking about it in relation to design, it therefore becomes important to situate this idea of sustainability within the right context. It does not necessarily mean we as designers have a duty to only create chairs from recycled cardboard destined to disintegrate in a matter of weeks, or tables exclusively from reclaimed driftwood. Or to stop creating at all. Sustainability also means creating durable and deeply considered objects that last, so that they don’t require to be constantly replaced using more energy and resources.
By considering the environmental requisites in the very beginning phases of product design (including cost, performance, legal, cultural and aesthetic aspects), environmental impact related issues can be dealt with preventatively, instead of finding solutions that cause damage during or after the product has been manufactured. More than 80% of the environmental impact of a product is determined at the design stage. This is why the concept of a product’s life cycle must be clear from the start.
Five steps define the product life cycle: pre-production, production, distribution, use and disposal. By correctly designing the product, a designer can act on each one of these phases to optimise resources and reduce environmental impact.
One of the aims typically associated with eco-design is reducing the resources required to create a product. Energy and materials are used throughout the entire life cycle so reducing the consumption of resources in all phases is key.
“SUSTAINABILITY MEANS CREATING DURABLE AND DEEPLY CONSIDERED OBJECTS THAT LAST.”
As well as considering the quantity of material used to create a product, we need to think about the unique environmental impact of each specific material in terms of production and renewability. Different technologies need to be looked at for both transformation and processing of materials. Some can release toxic chemicals and others, that are just as effective, don’t.
On the other hand, there are substitute materials that seem beneficial at face value but have more serious consequences in terms of production and renewability. An example of this is plastic made from biological sources that in recent years have evolved to potentially become the alternative to regular plastic made from fossil resources. However, among other challenges, its early-days technologies and costly production, the amount of water used for its production and its low recyclability, make it not yet the alternative material of choice. Sustainable Bioplastic will be the long waited alternative to regular plastic.
The ‘useful life’ of a product is also an important concept to bear in mind during the design phase. Useful life measures how long a product and its materials can last maintaining their performance at a standard predetermined level. As an example, today’s possibility to update the software of a variety of products (from smartphones and computers, to household appliances and cars) increases durability of the product and consequently causes a lower environmental impact in terms of waste and resource use.
An effective way to make a product more sustainable is the standardisation of its components in the manufacturing process. Production costs are reduced and when the product is discarded, the parts can be recycled without having to undergo major transformations. By conceiving and designing products made up of parts that are easy to disassemble, maintain, repair, update and re-purpose the whole process of recycling becomes simpler.
“MORE THAN 80% OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF A PRODUCT IS DETERMINED AT THE DESIGN STAGE.”
Another key aspect of sustainability to consider in relation to design is the packaging of the products themselves.
With most businesses striving to find the most eco-friendly products and services, packaging solutions are an important consideration. When considering which packaging is most environmentally friendly, it is first important to note that all packaging, plastic or cardboard, bag or box, has an environmental impact and there is no such thing as a ‘silver bullet’ packaging material, at least not currently. It is not the use of materials themselves that constitutes the problem, but the disposal of the packaging. It is our ability - or inability - to recycle these materials that causes complication.
This is where corrugated cardboard comes into its own.
Corrugated cardboard is one of the most highly recycled materials on earth. Because it can be made without the use of any dyes or bleaches as a biodegradable product, it can be disposed of more sustainably than many other types of material.
As a strong and sturdy packaging solution, corrugated cardboard boxes can be used again and again – reducing costs and environmental impact. The initial manufacturing costs are minimal as it’s made from 75% post consumer waste recycled content, which can be sourced locally, minimising environmental damage caused by transportation. If recycled correctly, cardboard packaging generates less environmental impact as it helps prevent deforestation, it saves water, it reduces greenhouse gases and it saves landfill space.
So, as the word itself has multiple and constantly changing definitions, so does the actions we take to ensure sustainability’s presence in design. From conception, to production, to distribution and life cycle of the objects themselves, sustainability has to be the top priority.
– Mike
February 2021