Sustainability and the environment

Understanding Sustainability and the Environment

• Sustainability refers to actions and developments that meet present needs without compromising future generations’ ability to meet their needs.
• It encompasses economic, social, and environmental dimensions, collectively referred to as the ‘triple bottom line’.
• Environmental sustainability emphasises conserving resources, preserving ecosystems, and minimising pollution and waste.
• A sustainable material is one that, from extraction or production through to disposal or recycling, has minimal impact on the environment.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

• Life Cycle Assessment is a technique used to evaluate the environmental aspects of a product or service over its life cycle.
• It provides a ‘cradle to grave’ analysis, from material extraction and processing, manufacturing, distribution, use, repair and maintenance, to disposal or recycling.
• Comprehensive LCAs can identify potential environmental impacts, as well as opportunities for achieving environmental improvements.

Sustainable Materials

• These are materials that are either renewable or have reduced impact on the environment during their life cycle.
• Examples include recycled materials, biodegradable materials, renewable resources such as timber, and low-impact non-renewables, such as some types of stone or metals.
• The use of sustainable materials can significantly contribute to reducing environmental impacts and achieving sustainability goals.

The Role of Design

• Design plays a crucial role in improving environmental sustainability. This can involve designing products that use less material or energy, are more durable, or can be easily repaired.
• Another design strategy for sustainability is to create products that can be disassembled at the end of their life and their components reused or recycled.
• Designers also have a role in promoting sustainable behaviours, such as by designing products that encourage energy-saving or recycling.

Waste and Recycling

• Waste creation, disposal, and recycling are critical considerations in assessing the environmental impact and sustainability of materials.
• Recycling involves processing waste materials to make them into new products. It can save resources and reduce waste.
• Many materials, such as metals, glass, and some plastics, can be effectively recycled. However, contamination, technological limitations, and economic factors can pose challenges to recycling.

Environmental Impact of Materials

• The environmental impact of materials can vary significantly, influenced by factors such as their source, the energy used in their production and transportation, their longevity and their end-of-life disposal.
• For example, materials derived from non-sustainable resources, like fossil fuels, or those that require significant energy to manufacture, such as aluminium and many plastics, often have significant environmental impacts.
• On the other hand, materials from renewable resources or with low energy requirements, if produced and used responsibly, can offer more environmentally friendly options.