Design for Sustainability
Sustainability
In design, sustainability means creating products and systems that minimise negative impacts on the environment, human health, and well-being, while promoting long-term resource efficiency and responsible use.
Design for sustainability is not just about creating eco-friendly products, it's about rethinking the entire design process to minimise negative impacts and maximise positive contributions to society and the environment.
Key Considerations in Sustainable Design
- Waste: Avoiding unnecessary material use and designing for reuse or recycling
- Pollution: Reducing harmful emissions and toxic substances during manufacturing or disposal
- Energy Consumption: Using less energy in production, transport, and product use and favouring renewable energy sources
Sustainable Design Strategies
1 - Design for Disassembly
Design for Disassembly
Designing a product so it can be easily and cost-effectively taken apart, allowing components to be reused or repaired and materials to be recycled.
- Use standard fasteners (e.g. screws) instead of permanent adhesives
- Minimise mixed-material components to ease recycling
- Label or colour-code parts to aid sorting and repair
- Plan for easy access to frequently repaired components
2 - Design for Durability
- Choose robust materials that resist wear, corrosion, or fatigue
- Avoid unnecessary moving parts that increase failure risk
- Design for consistent long-term performance
- Offer warranties or service support to extend product life
3 - Energy Efficiency
- Use low-energy components (e.g. LED lighting, efficient motors)
- Reduce standby power or phantom energy use
- Optimise software/hardware to lower energy draw
- Support renewable energy sources where possible (e.g. solar charging)
LED lighting is a prime example of energy-efficient design, consuming significantly less power than traditional incandescent bulbs while providing the same level of illumination.
