Sustainability

Question 1

Reduce

Answer 1

As a consumer you could try to reduce the amount of materials we use. A good way to start is to review the amount of products we purchase,leave on the shelf and then throw away without using.
As a designer you could carefully review every part of your product. are there any excess materials that could be removed or slimmed down?

Question 2

Reuse

Answer 2

As a consumer you could try to reuse products whenever possible. This can involve simply refilling containers, using paper that has been printed on one side for rough drafts of your work or taking bags to the supermarket rather than using new plastic ones every visit.
As a designer you could try to make products from higher grade materials; this will increase their lifespan and allow them to be reused. It may also be possible to make containers resalable to allow them to be reused

Question 3

Refuse

Answer 3

There is a growing movement to refuse environmentally unsound products from plastic bags to 4X4
As a designer you can refuse to use materials that are toxic in their extraction, processing, manufacture or disposal

Question 4

List the 6 R’s

Answer 4

Reduce - materials and energy
Reuse - materials and products 
Recover - energy from waste
Recycle - materials and products
Repair - damaged materials 
Rethink - materials
Refuse - materials

Question 5

Sustainability

Renewable energy

Answer 5

Wind power - non-polluting, installed offshore, controversial, relies on wind

Solar power - large amounts available from the sun, pollution fee, low operating costs, expensive to install

Question 6

Sustainability

Biofuels

Answer 6

Biogas - made from plant fermentation
Biodiesel - made from crops (rapeseed)
Bioethanol - made from starch and sugar

Question 7

Sustainability

Climate change

Answer 7

Greenhouse effect - carbon dioxide and methane are damaging the earths protective layer

Kyoto protocol - an agreement between countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint