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Stages for Sustainability - Coggle Diagram
Stages for Sustainability
Recyclability
Consideration of the recyclable nature of materials. The more parts of the product that can be recycled or can be manufactured from recycled materials, the less the impact of the product on the environment
The conversion of recycled products into a new product for a new purpose is called downcycling
The reuse of products for their original intended purpose
Downcycling
A recycling practice that involves breaking an item down into its component elements or materials. Once the constituent elements or materials are recovered, they are reused if possible but usually as a lower-value product.
Multifunctional Design
Products with more than one function can increase the value for the owner
A product designed for one purpose could be reused for a different function
If a product has multiple functions, fewer products are needed
Consumers may view products that have multiple functions as having higher value and retain them for longer periods of time
Materials Selection
An effective sustainable approach is to select non-toxic, recyclable and low impact materials to begin with
All materials have a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) that can be used to assess suitability and impacts
Durability
Designing quality products that are built to last means less waste in the long term
Quality products are more likely to be reused, repaired, resold or recycled
Designing for longevity requires careful selection of materials and the use of processes that ensure solid and enduring construction
The appearance of a design can communicate its longevity; design that appears durable and long-lasting helps to reinforce its durability
Extending the life of a design may reduce consumption and waste
Dematerialisation
Reducing the amount of material used in a design is a straightforward way of minimising environmental impact
Reductions in the weight, volume and size of products can lead to less waste at end of life
Efficiency
Products especially those that use electricity need to be efficient in their use of energy
Creating 'standby' or 'sleep' functions reduces power use
cost aware consumers are often attracted to energy-efficient products
Disassembly
Products that are designed to be easily taken apart at their end of life can make the recycling process more efficient
Consideration in the early stages of a design about the structure and functionality of a product can predict the speed and ease of taking it apart for recycling
Degradability
Materials that can be broken down organically through composting are known as degradable materials and can be used in some products
These include paper, cardboards and starch-based plastics
Glass, metals and petrochemical-based plastics take many years to degrade and are best recycled or reused
Product Responsibility
Increasingly companies are encouraged to take full responsibility for their products
In recent years, in some cases due to consumer or government pressure, companies have introduced policies designed to address issues with the end of life products.
Recycling schemes and returns procedures enable products to be re-manufactured or recycled