Week 11 SI Flashcards
What is Sustainable Materials Management (SMM)?
SMM is an approach that emphasizes the efficient use and responsible management of materials throughout their lifecycle, from extraction to disposal, to minimize environmental impact.
Describe the concept of resource efficiency.
Resource efficiency focuses on using resources (materials, energy, water) in the most effective way possible to produce goods and services while reducing environmental impact.
Explain “materials hierarchy” in sustainable management.
The materials hierarchy prioritizes sustainable actions from most to least preferred: reduce, reuse, recycle, recover, and dispose.
What is “dematerialization” in sustainable design?
Dematerialization aims to reduce the total material used in products and services, lowering resource extraction and waste generation.
How does “material substitution” contribute to sustainability?
Material substitution replaces non-renewable or hazardous materials with more sustainable, renewable, or eco-friendly alternatives, reducing environmental impact.
Define “lightweighting” in product design.
Lightweighting involves reducing the weight of products or packaging, which can save resources and reduce energy required for transportation.
What are the environmental benefits of closed-loop systems?
Closed-loop systems continuously reuse materials, minimizing the need for new resources, reducing waste, and decreasing pollution.
Explain “urban mining” and its significance.
Urban mining involves reclaiming valuable materials from discarded electronics and other urban waste, reducing the need for new mining and resource extraction.
Describe the difference between primary and secondary raw materials.
Primary raw materials are virgin resources extracted from nature, while secondary raw materials come from recycled or reclaimed waste.
What is “eco-effectiveness” and how does it differ from “eco-efficiency”?
Eco-effectiveness focuses on designing systems that have a positive environmental impact, while eco-efficiency aims to minimize negative impacts and resource use
How does “cascading” support sustainable materials management?
Cascading uses materials in multiple stages of a lifecycle before final disposal, such as repurposing wood into furniture, then using it for bioenergy.
What is the role of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in resource efficiency?
LCA helps identify the environmental impacts of materials and processes, guiding choices that improve resource efficiency and reduce emissions.
Explain “waste-to-energy” as a resource recovery strategy.
Waste-to-energy processes convert waste materials into usable energy, reducing landfill waste while producing power or heat.
How do “material flow analysis” and “resource flow analysis” aid in sustainable management?
These analyses track material and resource use in a system, helping identify inefficiencies, waste, and areas for improvement.
Why is transparency in material sourcing important for sustainability?
Transparency ensures that materials are sourced responsibly, reduces risk of supply chain issues, and supports ethical and eco-friendly practices.
