2.1 Resources and Reserves
As non-renewable resources run out, designers need to develop innovative solutions to meet basic human needs for energy, food and raw materials. The development of renewable and sustainable resources is one of the major challenges of the 21st century for designers.
What are Reserves?
Reserves are proven resources that can be economically and technically extracted. In some cases reserves may exist but it is not economically viable to extract them or the technology does not exist yet.
Examples of Reserves:
- Deepwater drilling for oil
- Extraction of gold
- Extraction of gold from seawater
- Lithium
- Fracking
- Oilsands
Renewable Resources
Renewable resources is defined as a resource that can be replaced (or replenished) over time, or does not abate at all.
Examples:
- Wood (especially softwoods like pine)
- Wind energy
- Solar energy
- Wave energy
Note: Not all "natural" resources are renewable. Some hardwoods take too long to grow to be considered renewable.
Non-Renewable Resources
Non-renewable resources are extracted and used at rate greater than are replaced. Their rate of replenishment is not sustainable.
Common Examples:
- Oil
- Gas
- Nuclear
- Coal
- Metals
- Plastics
Most non-renewable resources are carbon-based and need to be burnt to extract their energy. They are significant contributors of greenhouse gases and pollution.
2.2 Waste Mitigation Strategies
The abundance of resources and raw materials in the industrial age led to the development of a throwaway society. As resources run out, sustainability becomes a more important focus for designers.
Re-use
Utilizing a product more than once, in the same or different context.
- Reusing glass jars
- Plastic bags
- Clothing
Repair
Fixing or renewing worn out or broken components.
- Bicycle tire repair kits
- Cell-phone screen replacement
Recycle
Using waste to create new products.
- Paper
- Cardboard
- Thermoplastics
- Aluminum
Recondition / Refurbish
Rebuilding products to "as-new" condition.
- Car engines
- Mobile phones
- Computers
Circular Economy
An economic model where materials and resources are in constant use. Waste is viewed as a resource and is brought back into the system.
Biological Materials
Renewable materials that come from nature (organic)
Technical Materials
Manufactured materials that are finite in quantities
2.3 Energy Utilization
Efficient energy use is an important consideration for designers in today's society. Energy conservation and efficient energy use are pivotal in our impact on the environment.
Embodied Energy
Embodied Energy is the sum of all energy needed to produce and maintain a product or service.
Components of Embodied Energy
- Materials: Energy used to extract and produce materials
- Transport: Energy used to transport materials
- Assembly: Energy used in construction/creation
- Recurring: Energy used in maintenance
- Recycling: Energy used in end-of-life recycling
Distributing Energy: National and International Grid Systems
National Grid
The energy grid includes power stations, powerlines, and connections to homes and businesses. Modern grids allow multiple producers to feed electricity into an efficient distribution system.
Smart Grid
Uses information technology to provide real-time picture of energy production and consumption. Enables small-scale and sustainable energy producers to provide power.
Local Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
Technology that uses a single fuel source to produce both heat and electricity, reducing costs and emissions.
Batteries and Capacitors
Designers should consider several factors when selecting a power source:
- Power demands for the design
- Physical size of the battery
- Standard battery sizes
- Rechargeability
- Environmental impact of disposal
2.4 Clean Technology
Clean technology is found in various industries including water, energy, manufacturing, advanced materials and transportation.
Incremental Technology
Advantages
- Exploits existing technologies
- Minimal changes to manufacturing
- Quick response to legislation
- Low risk
- Improved competitiveness
Disadvantages
- Frequent small changes needed
- Low potential for market growth
Radical Technology
Advantages
- Innovation opportunities
- High potential for market growth
- New technology development
Disadvantages
- Costly and lengthy R&D
- High level of risk
Drivers for Cleaning Up Manufacturing
Social Drivers
Consumer groups, public pressure, and public perception influence companies to implement clean technologies.
Economic Drivers
Financial benefits, government incentives, and potential penalties influence adoption of clean technologies.
Political Drivers
Legislation and laws may require companies to make changes to comply with regulations.
End-of-pipe Technologies
Technologies focused on reducing or eliminating pollutants at the last step of manufacturing phase.
System Level Solutions
Solutions that address the whole system through regulatory measures like taxes, legislation, and benefits to promote sustainable practices.
2.5 Green Design
Focus is on the re-engineering of a design to reduce its environmental impact and increase its sustainability. Green design focuses on making changes that are typically incremental in nature.
- Short timescale
- Incremental changes (small changes over time)
- Low risk
Objectives for Green Design
Materials
- Increasing efficient use of materials
- Selecting non-toxic materials
- Minimizing different materials used
- Labelling materials for recycling
Energy
- Reducing energy required for manufacturing
- Switching to sustainable energy sources
Pollution & Waste
- Reducing manufacturing impacts
- Considering end-of-life sustainability
- Improving product durability
Strategies
Incremental Changes
- Material: switching to sustainable materials
- Manufacturing: using sustainable processes
- Energy: increasing efficiency
- Engineering: design for disassembly
Radical Changes
- Complete manufacturing process changes
- New product/service development
Drivers
Legislation
- Emissions requirements
- Ban of harmful materials (CFCs)
- Energy efficiency standards
- Plastic labelling requirements
Consumer Pressure / CSR
- Market demands
- Environmental awareness
- Consumer buying habits
2.6 Eco Design
A complex approach to sustainability focusing on ecological systems. Considers the entire lifecycle of products and their impacts.
- Long timescale
- Great complexity
- High risk
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)
A tool for analyzing the environmental impact of a design throughout its manufacture, use, and disposal. Helps designers and manufacturers understand impact and identify innovation opportunities.
Cradle to Cradle Design (C2C)
An approach that considers the entire lifecycle of a product, minimizing environmental impact from manufacture to end of life. Products are designed to "re-enter" as new products, similar to natural ecosystems.
Ecosystem Approach
- Nothing is wasted
- Products are reconstituted into new forms
- Mimics natural ecosystem cycles