Sustainability and environmental concerns Flashcards
What is an Ecolabel?
A voluntary scheme (established in 1993) for manufacturers to label products that have a reduced impact on the environment
What is the Energy Labelling Directive?
Introduced by the EU in 1996, all electrical appliances e.g. washing machines, should be labelled with a rating from A to G to indicate their energy use.
Why was the End-of-Life Vehicle Directive (ELVD) introduced in 2003?
To encourage the reuse and recycling of waste from vehicles when they reach their end of life.
What is the WEEE Directive?
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive, implemented in 2006. It encourages manufacturers to develop electrical and electronic products that can be dismantled and the parts reused or recycled.
What materials or chemicals does the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoSH) refer to?
Introduced in 2006, it bans the use of some hazardous materials such as lead, mercury and cadmium in electrical and electronic equipment, to safeguard human health when equipment is disposed and recycled.
How has Green design reduced the environmental impact on the Dyson washing machine?
The Dyson contra-rotating washing machine uses a water jet system to reduce the amount of water used and the agitation caused by the two tubs turning in opposite directions reduces the time taken to wash clothes, thus saving energy.
Name four ways in which Ecodesign can reduce the impact of a product through its entire lifecycle from raw materials extraction to final disposal.
Selection of low impact materials.
Reduction in materials useage (both in manufacture and packaging).
Reduction of impact during use and optimisation of initial lifetime.
Optimisation of end-of-life systems (for recycling and recovery of materials and components).
Give an example of how a company can address Green design packaging
Companies such as Motorola have replaced polystyrene inner packaging with moulded cardboard.
Duracell have replaced high impact polystyrene blister packs with a simple card wrapper.
Eco design (or life cycle design (LCD)) aims to tackle what environmental problem areas?
Material consumption.
Fossil fuel energy consumption.
Pollution and toxic waste.
Incandescent light bulbs waste a lot of energy, can you name two more eco friendly alternatives?
Compact Fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
What percentage of electricity do Compact Fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) use compared to incandescent bulbs?
About 20%. They have a significant environmental benefits in use, but use a number of toxic materials in their manufacture.
Can you give an example of where Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have replaced the use of incandescent bulbs?
Car brake lights, domestic lighting
Can you name three ways in which car manufacturers have achieved better fuel economy?
Aerodynamic body (reducing drag)
Lightweight aluminium engines
Use of polymers to reduce vehicle weight
Thin section mild steel or aluminium body and sub-assemblies (reducing weight)
Electronic engine management systems to optimise burning of fuel
Stop/start systems
What is a hybrid car?
Toyota and Honda were the first to develop cars that run on a petrol engine and an electrical motor.
Can you name three advantages of using plastics in car manufacture?
Available in a range of colours to suit consumer taste
Mouldings can be given texture
Complex dashboard mouldings for heater vents, instrumentation and controls can be made at the same time e.g. injection moulding
Injection moulded plastics are quicker to produce than pressed metals that then need finishing e.g. spraying
Volume production is quicker
Final assemble is quicker e.g. click fastenings
