12 - Responsible design

Question 1

What must designers now consider when designing products to have minimal environmental impact

Answer 1

• How to conserve materials, e.g nesting
• how to conserve energy during product manufacture
• how to make products that are sustainable and environmentally friendly
• primary and secondary carbon footprint
• product miles

Question 2

Economic considerations

Answer 2

• Materials choice: cost, use of finite resources and obtaining the original source
• Processing implications: energy cost, costs associated with dealing with pollution (e.g carbon tax)
• Manufacturing: cost of ensuring good working conditions for workers

Question 3

Social considerations

Answer 3

• Processing implications: pollution and its impact on people’s health
• Manufacturing: working conditions of workers involved

Question 4

Environmental considerations

Answer 4

• Materials choice: use of finite resources and end of product life recycling
• Processing implications: energy use, initial source and pollution

Question 5

List 6 factors designers may consider when designing environmentally friendly packaging

Answer 5

• Make the packaging lightweight
• Used recycled materials
• Make the recycling recyclable or reusable
• The use of refills and concentrates
• Use of minimal packaging material
• Charging for items such as plastic bags

Question 6

Advantages of renewable energy

Answer 6

• Sustainable, won’t run out
• Renewable energy facilities require less maintenance
• Reduced operational costs, as fuels are derived from free, natural resources
• Little or no pollution
• Development of renewable energy projects can bring employment to an area

Question 7

Disadvantages of renewable energy

Answer 7

• Difficult to generate as much energy as traditional fossil fuel generators
• Relies on the weather, inconsistent
• Cannot be stored in large quantities for later use
• Eyesore
• More expensive start up costs than traditional fossil fuel or nuclear energy

Question 8

What is a circular economy?

Answer 8

• Cradle-to-cradle approach in a product lifecycle, rather than a cradle-to-grave approach

Question 9

What are the two ‘nutrient’ types?

Answer 9

• Biological nutrients
• Technical nutrients

Question 10

What are biological nutrients?

Answer 10

Organic, non-toxic materials that can be simply composted and re-enter ecosystems without harming the environment

(e.g products made of wood)

Question 11

What are technical nutrients?

Answer 11

Man-made materials including polymers and alloys, designed to be used repeatedly at the same quality, using minimal energy and having no adverse environmental effects

(products like cars and washing machines are made from technical nutrients)