Datschefski's five principles of sustainable design are cyclic, solar, safe, efficient, and social. Together, they provide criteria for evaluating whether a product is sustainable across its entire life cycle.
| Principle | Meaning | Example of application |
|---|---|---|
| Cyclic | Materials should return safely to biological cycles or circulate continuously in closed technical cycles. | A manufacturer collects aluminium products and reprocesses the material into new products. |
| Solar | Products should be manufactured and used with renewable energy. “Solar” includes energy ultimately derived from the sun, such as wind power. | A factory operates using electricity from solar panels and wind turbines. |
| Safe | Products and processes should avoid toxic substances and harmful emissions that damage people or ecosystems. | A chair uses non-toxic finishes and adhesives with low harmful emissions. |
| Efficient | Products should deliver the required function using substantially less material, energy, and water. Datschefski's approach is often associated with factor-ten improvements. | Lightweighting reduces a package's material use while preserving its function. |
| Social | Production and use should respect human rights, fair working conditions, health, and social equity. | A company provides safe workplaces, fair wages, and responsible supply-chain oversight. |
These principles apply life-cycle thinking from raw-material extraction through manufacturing, distribution, use, and end-of-life management. A product may satisfy one principle but perform poorly under another. For example, a recyclable bottle is cyclic only if an effective collection and reprocessing system keeps its material circulating.
A common misconception is that a product is sustainable simply because it is recyclable. Recyclability addresses part of the cyclic principle, but sustainability also depends on renewable energy, safety, resource efficiency, and social responsibility.
In an IB Design Technology response on C2.1 Design for sustainability, define each relevant principle and apply it to a specific product feature or life-cycle stage. Examiners reward justified application, not merely listing the five terms.
