Resource Management & Sustainable Production

Question 1

Renewable

Answer 1

A natural resource that can replenish with the passage of time or does not abate at all

These include, solar, wind, hydro, wave, tidal, thermal and bio fuels

A natural resource qualifies as a renewable resource if it is replenished by natural processes at a rate almost the same as its rate of consumption by humans or other users.

Question 2

Renewability

Answer 2

This term is refers to a resource that is inexhaustible therefore can be replenished quick enough.

Hardwood trees take a fair bit of time to mature to a point where is is useable as a resource, therefore, it is considered non-renewable.

On the other hand, softwoods (such as Pines or conifers) mature more quickly and are considered a renewable resource.

Question 3

Non-Renewable Sources

Answer 3

A natural resource that does not replenish at a sustainable rate; a source that will run out if the rate of extraction is maintained.

These include fossil fuels such as natural gas, oil, coal, gasohol and nuclear energy

These resources are very useful sources of energy. This energy is needed to manufacture products and provide power to businesses, factories and homes.

The bad aspect about this is that these resources are running out and the human dependency on them is very high.

Question 4

Reserves

Answer 4

A natural resource that has been identified in terms of quantity and quality.

Question 5

Re-Use

Answer 5

This is reusing a product in the same context or in a different context.

Reusing is utilising an object more than one time.

This takes into account of conventional reuse where the object is used again for similar purpose, and new-life reuse where it is used for an innovative purpose.

An example of reusing is reusing plastic or glass bottles to drink water from.

Question 6

Recycle

Answer 6

Recycling refers to using the materials from obsolete products to create other products.

Recycling consists of processing used materials into novel products in order to avert squandering potentially functional materials.

It decreases the consumption of unsullied raw resources, trims down energy usage, lowering air and water pollution by dropping the need for “usual” waste discarding, and lastly lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

An example of recycling is recycling paper.

Question 7

Repair

Answer 7

Is the reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing structure or device.

Question 8

Recondition

Answer 8

Reconditioning is rebuilding a product so that it is in an “as new” condition, by repairing it, cleaning it, or replacing parts.

Contexts include car engines, tyres or refurbished electronics.

Question 9

Re-Engineer

Answer 9

A re-engineered product has been significantly redesigned, with improved engineering, from its original form.

Question 10

Dematerialisation

Answer 10

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) defines dematerialization as the “the reduction of total material and energy throughput of any product and service, and thus the limitation of its environmental impact.

This includes reduction of raw materials at the production stage, of energy and material inputs at the use stage, and of waste at the disposal stage”

Question 11

Product recovery strategies at end of life/ disposal

Answer 11

Use and recovery of standard parts at the end of product life.

Recovery of raw materials.

Take back legislation.

Trade in.

Recycling bins/locations.

Employ a circular economy.

Question 12

Circular Economy

Answer 12

In an economic model that is a closed loop system where the materials/resources are in constant use. At the end of the product life cycle the material waste (or obsolete product material) is recycled/recovered.

The material waste is a resource in the system and is regenerated at he end of the product life cycle.

Question 13

Embodied Energy

Answer 13

Is the sum of all energy needed to produce a product or service.

It is highly useful to calculate how successful/effective a product or service produces or saves energy.

Total energy consumed in production (cradle to [factory] gate) and throughout the lifecycle of a product (cradle to grave)

Question 14

Batteries, capacitors and capacities

Answer 14

Battery is a device consisting of two or more electrochemical cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy.

Capacitor is an electronic component that temporally stores electrical energy.

Capacity is the amount of electric charge it can deliver (measured in amp-hours)

Batteries have a huge impact on the portability of electronic products - Through the development of new technologies, batteries have become more efficient and smaller.

Question 15

Reasons for cleaning up manufacturing/industry

Answer 15

promoting positive impacts

ensuring neutral impact or minimising negative impacts through conserving natural resources

reducing pollution and use of energy
reducing waste of energy and resources

Question 16

End-of-pipe technology

Answer 16

Technology that is used to reduce pollutants and waste at the end of the industries production processes.

Industries include, water, energy, manufacturing, advanced materials and transportation.

Example of this are filters installed on the end of industrial smoke stacks.

Question 17

Clean Technology

Answer 17

Clean technology includes recycling, renewable energy (wind power, solar power, biomass, hydropower, biofuels, etc.), information technology, green transportation, electric motors, green chemistry, lighting, greywater, and many other appliances that are now more energy efficient.

It is a means to create electricity and fuels, with a smaller environmental footprint and minimise pollution.

Question 18

Green Design

Answer 18

Green design is the designing of products to have a reduced environmental impact throughout its life.

Sustainable products provide social and economic benefits while protecting public health, welfare and the environment throughout their life cycle—from the extraction of raw materials to final disposal (cradle to the grave).

Question 19

Strategies for Green Design

Incremental

Answer 19

Are small changes to the design of the product over a period of time

This may include changes to:

materials – use recycled or recyclable materials.

Material optimisation.

Manufacturing techniques – using clean technology such as end-of-pipe
introduce design for disassembly

Question 20

Strategies for Green Design

Radical

Answer 20

This may include:

Making big and courages changes to the design of a product or service

Complete overhaul of the manufacturing process

Using radical clean technology systems

Question 21

Drivers for Green Design

Consumer

Answer 21

The public have become aware of environmental issues through media focus on issues such as the destructive effect of chlorofluorocarbons on the ozone layer; acid rain in Northern European forests and the nuclear accident at Chernobyl.

Increased public awareness has put pressure on corporations and governments through voting and purchasing power.

The consumer will seek out products that are energy efficient which will be cheaper to run this providing savings for the consumer.

Question 22

Drivers for Green Design

Legislation

Answer 22

Raised awareness of environmental issues is increasing legislation in many countries.

This can lead to financial penalties on companies who do not demonstrate environmental responsibility.

Many people will not behave responsibly unless forced to do so, therefore, legislation forces the issue.

Question 23

Designing green Products

Answer 23

When evaluating product sustainability, students need to consider:
raw materials used
packaging
incorporation of toxic chemicals
energy in production and use
end-of-life disposal issues
production methods
atmospheric pollutants.
The environmental impact of the production, use and disposal of a product can be modified by the designer through careful consideration at the design stage.