Sustainability Flashcards
Define sustainability
-The materials required for a product can be replenished without running out
What is the purpose of being sustainable?
Meeting today’s needs without compromising for the needs of the future generations.
What two categories are the quantity of materials labelled as?
- Finite
- Non-finite
Define finite
Resources which will eventually run out
Define non-finite
Resources that can be replenished without running out
What are the 6Rs?
- Rethink
- Recycle
- Repair
- Refuse
- Reduce
- Reuse
Rethink?
Is there a better way of making a product that is less harmful to the environment?
Can the design be simplified to make manufacture easier.
Recycle?
Can the product be recycled easily after is is no longer needed?
Can the components and materials be separated?
Can recyclable materials be used?
Repair?
Can this product be repaired easily if breaks?
Can the components parts be replaced easi?
Refuse?
Consumers may not buy a product if it is not environmentally friendly or if it is made by people in poor work conditions.
Reuse?
Can any parts be reused if no longer needed?
Can the product be reused for something else once primary use is no longer required?
Define Carbon Footprint
A measure of the greenhouse gases emitted by human activity
How can the carbon footprint caused by transportation be reduced?
- Sourcing materials from local/closer manufacturing centres and potential markets
- Using energy efficient means of transporting goods, for example electric or hybrid vehicles.
Define hybrid vehicles?
Use both petrol and electric as fuel.
How do you reduce pollution when manufacturing a product?
- Using cleaner energy sources, such as solar
- Electric vehicle for transporting goods
- Products built to last and easy to repair, causing less waste
- Use recyclable or biodegradable materials
Define ecological footprint?
A measure of the impact that human activity has on the environment
Define ecological deficit?
When resources are being used up faster than they are being produced by Nature.
What is the humanity’s current ecological footprint?
1.7 Earth
How long does the Earth take to replenish the resources which we use in 12 months?
18 months
Define obsolescence
The act of designing a product which is not to be long-lasting and become dysfunctional overtime, in order to sell more of the products. For example, Apple product and lightbulbs.
Why is planned-obsolescence environmentally bad and negative?
-Causes further strains on the world’s resources, leading to an ecological deficit
