Sustainability

Question 1

List the three (3) pillars of Sustainability.

Answer 1

• Environmental
• Economic
• Social

Question 2

Can you list five (5) models and systems of sustainability?

Answer 2

You need to know what each of these acronyms mean. You need to think about how each of these systems influence design, production (manufacturing), distribution and marketing. • LCA - Life Cycle Assessment • DfE - Design for the Environment • C2C - Cradle to Cradle • DfD - Design for Disassembly • EPR - Extended Producer Responsibility

Question 3

What is the Environmental impact of LCA - Life Cycle Assessment?

Answer 3

LCA = Life Cycle Assessment. The most important aspect of this area is that you recognise that there may be different environmental impacts during different stages of a product’s life.

Question 4

What are the six (6) aspects within the LCA you need to consider?

Answer 4

• Material sourcing and processing • Transportation • Production • Packaging • Use • Disposal

Question 5

Describe the influence of MATERIAL SOURCING and PROCESSING within the LCA.

Answer 5

Examples: • Timber – possible destruction of animal habitats or high water usage for plantation • Aluminium - high electricity usage in converting bauxite to aluminium, possible recycling, etc. • Cotton – heavy water usage and use of pesticides, nylon/polyester – use of fossil fuels, • Wool – soil degradation

Question 6

Describe the influence of TRANSPORTATON within the LCA.

Answer 6

Distance between location of materials’ source and manufacturing, and later from manufacturer to point of sale/use, national/international distances, forms of transport, weight/size.

Question 7

Describe the influence of PRODUCTION within the LCA.

Answer 7

Use of: • Energy • Production of pollution, waste, and toxins

Question 8

Describe the influence of PACKAGING within the LCA.

Answer 8

For transportation and promotion.

Question 9

Describe the influence of USAGE within the LCA.

Answer 9

• Length of useful life (quality/obsolescence, fashion/fad) • Energy/fuel consumed in use • Toxins/wastes produced through use • Maintenance needs (eg. washing v’s dry cleaning) • Ability to be repaired

Question 10

Describe the influence of DISPOSAL within the LCA.

Answer 10

• Reuse • Refurbishment • Recycle-ability • Material breakdown

Question 11

Life Cycle

Question 12

Life Cycle Analysis

(this different to the Life Cycle Assessment)

Answer 12

In life cycle analysis the life cycle stages are categorised as

• Pre- production
• Production
• Distribution including packaging
• Utilization
• Disposal

Question 13

What is Life Cycle Analysis?

Answer 13

Life Cycle Analysis examines a products:

• Use
• Re-use
• Recycling
• Disposal

Question 14

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Answer 14

LCA is a technique for assessing the environmental aspects and potential impacts associated with a product by:

• compiling an inventory of relevant inputs and outputs of a product system;
• evaluating the potential environmental impacts associated with those inputs and outputs;
• interpreting the results of the inventory analysis and impact assessment phases in relation to the objectives of the study.

Question 15

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Answer 15

Life Cycle Assessment is the examination of a product from the:

• Sourcing and processeing of the raw material
• Manufacture
• Distribution
• Use
• Disposal

It is a scientific approach, not one based on guesswork or opinions.

Question 16

Life Cycle Analysis of a Washing Machine.

What would this look like graphically?