2.8-Responsible design

Question 1

How was sustainable development introduced

Answer 1

• in 1987, the World Commission on Environment and Developmen introduced this concept
• it was defined as ‘development which meets the needs of current generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’

Question 2

Designers have a responsibility to design products thta have minimal environmental impacts. What things must they consider

Answer 2

• how to conserve materials e.g. nesting components to minimise waste
• how to conserve energy during project manufacture
• their carbon footpriny (primary and secondary)
• product miles

Question 3

What is the carbon footprint

Answer 3

the total amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere, as a result of the activities of an individual, a community or an organisation

Question 4

What is the primary carbon footprint

Answer 4

this measures direct emissions of CO2 from the burning of fossil fuels, including transport and domestic energy consumption

Question 5

What is the secondary carbon footprint

Answer 5

This measures indirect CO2 from the products we use

Question 6

What are product miles

Answer 6

The total lifespan distance that a product is transported from its place of production to the place of use by the consumer

Question 7

What three strands of sustainable development ust be considered when designing and manufacturing

Answer 7

• economic
• social
• environmental

Question 8

Economic sustainable development

Answer 8

• materials choice-such as the cost, use of finite resources and obtaining the original source
• processing implications-energy cost, costs associated with dealing with potential pollution
• manufacturing-cost of ensuring good working conditions for those involved in the manufacturing process

Question 9

Social sustainable development

Answer 9

• processing implications-pollution and the impact on people’s health
• manufacturing-working conditions for those involved in the manufacturing process

Question 10

Environmental sustainable development

Answer 10

• material choice-use of finitre resources and end of product life recycling
• processing implications-energy use and initial source and pollution

Question 11

Explain 6Rs of sustainability

Answer 11

• recycle
• reduce
• refuse
• repair
• rethink
• reuse

Question 12

Designers and manufacturers need to consider factors that use the optimum amount of packaging to protect/preserve products and prevent waste. What are some examples of these factors

Answer 12

• making the packaging lightweight
• using recycled content
• making the packaging recyclable or reusable
• the use of refills and concentrates
• using minimal packaging material
• charging for items-supermarket bags

Question 13

Example of product that has been designed to reduce the environmental impact

Answer 13

• KeepCup- a reusable coffee cup
• designed to reduced environmental impact caused by disposable cups
• 20 disposable cups and lids=enough polymer for one KeepCup

Question 14

Example of packaging thet has been redesigned for sustanability

Answer 14

• Marks and Spencer pizza packaging

- redesign reduced packaging by 62%

Question 15

Where does energy come from

Answer 15

• non-renewable sources e.g. oil, coal, natural gas

- alternative energy sources (renewables) e.g. wind, hydro, solar, wave, tidal

Question 16

Advantages of renewable energy

Answer 16

• sustainable, never runs out
• renewable energy facilities require less maintenance than traditional generators
• fuel derived from natural resources reduced operational costs
• little or no waste such as CO2 is produced
• social and economic benefits-employment

Question 17

Disadvantages of renewable energy

Answer 17

• can be difficult to generate the large quantities of electricity that are produced by traditional fossil fuel generators
• often relies on weather for source of power
• cannot be stored in large quantities for later use as impracticalities of having battery power plant back ups
• currently more expensive that traditional fossil fuel or nuclear energy-as large capital cost

Question 18

What is a circular economy

Answer 18

• an approach that anticipates and designs for biological and technical ‘nutrients’ to be continuously reused at the same quality, dramatically reducing the dependency on sourcing new materials
• two nutrient types-biological and technical

Question 19

What are biological nutrients

Answer 19

• organic non toxic materials that can be simply composed and can safely re enter ecosystems without harming the natural environment
• products made from wood can naturally degrade to provide compost or nutrients to the ground

Question 20

What are technical nutrients

Answer 20

• man made materials including polymers and alloys, designed to be reused repeatedly at the same initial high quality with minimal energy and no adverse environmental effects
• cars and washing machines made from these nutrients

Question 21

What will a circular economy do

Answer 21

• work against the unstaianble ‘take, make, dispose’ culture
• promote and drive greater resource productivity
• reduce waste
• reduce use of finite resources
• avoid pollution
• deliver a more competitive UK economy
• help reduce the environmental impact of our product manufacture and consumption