Datchefski's Five Principles of Sustainable Design
- Five principles that facilitate a holistic approach to sustainable design:
- Cyclic
- Solar
- Safe
- Efficient
- Social
- They focus on the full environmental, social, and functional impact of a product.
Cyclic
Cyclic (Datchefski's Principle)
The product is made from natural or recyclable materials that can be safely returned to the environment or reused in a closed-loop system, without creating waste.
- Uses recyclable or compostable materials
- Designed for reuse, repair, or remanufacture
- Avoids landfill waste
- Encourages closed-loop systems
Solar
Solar (Datchefski's Principle)
The product is designed to be powered by renewable energy, such as solar, wind, or hydro, during both manufacture and use, reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
- Manufactured using renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind)
- Operates using low or no fossil fuels
- May include solar charging or energy-harvesting technology
Safe
Safe (Datchefski's Principle)
The product is non-toxic throughout its life cycle—safe to use, dispose of, and manufacture, without harming people or ecosystems.
- Avoids hazardous materials or chemicals
- Ensures safe handling throughout lifecycle
- Uses non-polluting processes
- Complies with health and safety standards
Efficient
Efficient (Datchefski's Principle)
The product is designed to use minimal energy and materials during production and use, aiming for a significant improvement in efficiency (e.g. by a factor of 4 or more).
- Lightweight or material-efficient design
- Minimises energy during use (e.g. energy-saving electronics)
- Reduces production waste and emissions
Social
Social (Datchefski's Principle)
The product is made under fair, ethical, and just conditions, supporting the well-being of workers and local communities involved in sourcing and production.
- Ensures safe, fair labour practices
- Promotes local production or sourcing
- May support community development
Applying Datchefski's Principles
When analyzing a product for sustainability, consider how it aligns with each of Datchefski's principles:
- Cyclic: Are the materials recyclable or biodegradable?
- Solar: Does the product use renewable energy in its production or operation?
- Safe: Are there any toxic materials or harmful byproducts?
- Efficient: How does the product minimise resource and energy use?
- Social: Does the product support ethical labor practices and community well-being?
Choose a product marketed as sustainable. Evaluate it using Datchefski’s five principles:
- Which principles does it meet?
- Where could it improve?
- Is it truly sustainable, or just "greenwashed"?
