non-renewable examples:

*human dependancy=very high

Natural Gas

• Petroleum
• Coal
• Gasohol
• Nuclear Energy
• Fossil Fuels

-wood

-paper 

-leather

Outline the reasons for green design.

1).  consumer pressure

2).  Legislation

1).  increase effiency in the use of materials, energy etc.

2).  minimizing damage to our environment

3).  minimizing nuisances such as noise or smell

4).  ensuring packaging is eco friendly and recyclable 

Discuss the impact of “take back” legislation on designers and manufacturers of cars

take back legislation: 

impact on the manufacturer:

1).  eco-warriors: 

someone who actively demonstrates on environmental issues (green peace).  

Eco-champions: 

someone who champions environmental issues within organizations (famous person often used)

eco-fans: 

someone who enthusiastically ADOPTS environmentally friendly practices as a consumer

The assessment of the effect a product has on the environment from the initial concept to disposal

• Pre- production
• Production
• Distribution including packaging
• Utilization
• Disposal 

 includes taking the product from the factory to the warehouse, from the warehouse to the store, and the package.

It could have a large impact (as is the case with an imported object from around the world in a Styrofoam box) or a very low impact (made and sold in the same place with a biodegradable box or no packaging)

1).  water

2).  soil pollution and degradation

3).  air contamination

4).  noise

5).  energy consumption

6).  consumption of natural resources

7).  pollution and effects on ecosystems

environmental impact assessment matrix

-asseses the impact to a particular product on the environment from all stages of its life cycle.  allows the designer to improve their product or process to make it more environmentally friendly

 Identify the roles and responsibilities of the designer at each life cycle stage of a product.

1).  sets the product features and functions.  

2).  he has to make sure in the production stage/ distribution and packaging that the product is up to scale with his designs and that it is eco-friendly.

3).  he has to make sure that the product can be used and recycled environmentally friendly

 Identify the roles and responsibilities of the manufacturer at each life cycle stage of a product.

1).  must make sure that the pre-production and production wastage is low

2).  in distribution stage, he must make sure to choose the right distribution channel and packaging in order to minimize costs and bad image from media for being un-environmentally friendly

3).  he doesnt have much say in the utilisation and disposal process.  

 Identify the roles and responsibilities of the user at each life cycle stage of a product.

2).  they are responsible for utilizing the product for as long as possible and finding a good way to dispose of it.  

consumers create demand for green products, most have education about environmental attributes through product labeling and marketing, while other have let companies know they will only spend money on products that have been designed for the environment

life cycle analysis is targeted at...

although, in the re-innovation of the design of a product or its manufacture, specific aspects may be changed after considering the deisgn objectives for green products.  thus the materials selected may be changed to make them more environmentally friendly.

e.g. wood from sustainable forests or the selection of a less toxic varnish.  a product may be distributed differently or its packaging may be redesigned

Explain why life cycle analysis is not widely used in practice.

1).  expensive

2).  time consuming-finding other ways to make the life cycle more environmentally friendly

3).  requires a lot of data and research

 products will undergo a life cycle analysis or have life cycle considerations measured within their own product category.  i.e. cars with cars, clothing with clothing.  

sub categories are also possible.  

it is highly desirable for a company to have these labels as it raises their brand image and it shows they care for their environment.  consumers are attracted to it.

1).  Provides reliable information about how the product impacts the environment, considering all stages of the product's life cycle. e.g. Swan eco-label.

Aids in the improvement of the workers have a role in the production's social and economic conditions, e.g. Fair Trade Labelling.

Informs customers about how the energy is produced, and whether it meets certain requirements, like those of The FANC energy eco-labelling scheme.

Allows consumers to make informed choices.

Compare the objectives of two different eco-labelling schemes.

European eco-labelling believes in sustainable development.  vision: greening all non-food products all over europe.

life cycle considerations are a major criteria-they believe strongly in "Cradle to grave" view of environmental impacts of a product group.  

goal: to provide guidance to consumers.  

GECA: believes in product information for sustainable development.  it indicates the environmental performance of a product during the complete life cycle.  it is awarded to products that meet VOLUNTARY environmental performance standards.    

Explain how Eco-labelling and energy-labelling schemes can help consumers to compare potential purchases.

"Eco-labeling" is a method by which products are environmentally rated:

1).  product is tested and production line analysed by third party (to be less bias).  

2).  labelling producy allows consumers to choose the right products and inform.

3).  users can choose their products while taking into consideration environmental impact.  

Explain how Eco-labelling and energy-labelling schemes can help consumers to compare potential purchases.

(2).  

"energy labelling" shows a products energy-efficiency and consumption: 

1). given by third party to show non-bias reports

2).  shows user how much energy is used/required by a product and how efficient it is.  

3).  when consumers see these labels they can make proper choices on what they feel is right to buy and this gives consumer help.  It also means more greener products could be sold and making companies more greener too! :) 

Define design for manufacture (DfM): 

it is the process of designing products to improve the ease of manufacture.  

why DFM is a dominating constraint on design brief? 

because there are so many other constraints to consider: 

1).  financial 

2).  specifications

3).  life cycle analysis

4).  economies of scale

Design for materials

Designing in relation to materials during processing.

Considers the availability of materials locally which can affect choice of manufacturing process or design of the product.

Design for process

Designing to enable the product to be manufactured using a specific manufacturing process, for example, injection moulding.

1).  Affecting the choice of material or design of the product.

Design for assembly

Designing taking account of assembly at various levels

1).  by making things easier to assemble, it makes the process faster and more cost-efficient.  -> higher profits, add value to product 

2).  if a product contains fewer parts, its less time to assemble, less costs and makes product looks aesthetically appealing

Discuss three strategies that designers could employ for DfM.

1).  minimizing the number of components

2).  using standard components

3).  designing components that are multifunctional or for multi-use

4).  designing parts for ease of fabrication, minimizing handling and using standard sub-assemblies.  

Describe how designers can modify the environmental impact of the production, use and disposal of their product through careful consideration at the design stage.

 The use of recycled materials is increasingly important as more product take-back and producer responsibility legislations are mandated, product labelling programs are adopted, and sustainability goals are being promoted.

1).  Materials selection impact distribution, consumer use, repair and refurbishment, and other end-of-life activities.

2). design for disassembly is one aspect of design for materials and will facilitate recycling of products on disposal. Easier to achieve if we design components made from one material.

3).  taking full account of the effects of the end disposal of the product ensuring that the packaging and instructions encourage efficient and environmentally friendly use minimizing nuisances such as noise or smell analyzing and minimizing potential safety hazards.

4). increasing efficiency in the use of materials, ensuring that the planned life of the product is most appropriate in environmental terms and that the product functions efficiently for its full life

REUSE : 

to use a product again and again at the end of its intended life cycle.

e.g. glass bottles  

repair: 

The reconstruction or renewal (replacing) of any part of an existing structure or device.

e.g. computer-> processor outdated or burnt hardrive.  

recycling: 

Recycling refers to using the materials from obsolete products to create other products.

e.g. disposable cameras: melt plastic and recycle.  

reconditioning: 

Rebuilding a product so that it is in an “as new” condition, and is generally used in the context of car engines and tyres.

e.g. it can be offered to the customer in appealing appearance. An example is fixing up a car or household to sell to a customer.

Describe how reuse, repair, reconditioning and recycling contribute to the optimization of resource utilization.

1).  thermoplastics

2).  metals

3).  glass

repeatedly melted and cooled, such as polyethylene.  

1).  80% of plastics is thermoplastics

2).  easiest to recycle

3).  has weak secondary bonds between long polymer chains-can be reheated and reshaped. 

reheated and reshaped

-> when recycled, it still has the same quality as when it was first used! :) 

crush glass (cullet) and melt. 

-> quality still same.

->recycling glass uses less energy than when made from lime, soda and sand.  

Describe how many products comprise several different materials, and state that these materials have to be separated to enable recycling.

example: refrigerator: 

1).  plastics used -shelves, drawers are reused for another fridge or other products. 

2).  glass can be reused.

3).  metals in fridges are seperated from other materials and can be recycled or reused for something else

how much it costs to recycle V.S. how much you get back (when sold).  

1).  collection

2).  transportation

3).  separating

4).  processing

design for disassembly.

Designing a product so that when it becomes obsolete it can easily and economically be taken apart, the components reused or repaired, and the materials recycled.

1). ease of disassembly

2).  recyclability of materials

3).  standardization of component assembly.

4).  materials compatibility.

Explain that design for disassembly is one aspect of design for materials and will facilitate recycling of products on disposal

Discuss two strategies that designers could employ to design for dis-assembly.

• Due to the molecular structure and properties of thermoplastics ... Thermoplastic adhesives (such as hot glue) when heated will allow the two parts to separate.
• Snap fittings, bolts, screws etc are non permanent joints therefore the parts can be separated. Welding and glues from permanent joints.