Product Design

Exploring the Scientific Approach to Sustainable Product Design

Shifting to circular economy, sustainable designs to preserve environment

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Importance of sustainability in product Design

When it comes to new-generation consumer product design sustainability becomes a crucial factor. Consumers are more conscious about the environment and opt for environmentally friendly products. In this blog, let us learn about the role of sustainability in product design and why businesses should incorporate sustainable practices in their system.

Sustainable product design involves the creation of products that are socially responsible and eco-friendly. It comprises designing products that use eco-friendly materials and reduce waste and energy consumption. Also, sustainable product design means creating products that can be reused/recycled, and easily repaired instead of being discarded after use. Some of the examples of sustainable product designs are

  • Dell: It runs a recycling program that allows the recycling of plastic from electronics that are disposed of. It is used to create new products.

  • Fairphone: It is an upgradable smartphone that helps users replace every single component without the need to replace the entire device.

The Science behind Eco-friendly product designs

Circular economy is the format of production & consumption which consists of leasing, sharing, repairing, refurbishing, recycling and reusing materials & products for the longest duration possible. It helps extend the product lifecycle.

In short, it means bringing waste reduction to a minimal level. It means when the product is about to expire, its materials are preserved within the economy through recycling. These materials can be re-used repeatedly to enhance their value further.

Benefits of Circular economy for the environment

Safeguard Environment

Recycling & reusing the products would preserve natural resources, and reduce habitat destruction and landscape allowing us to restrict the loss of biodiversity.

It will also help in reducing the count of greenhouse gas emissions annually. As per the European Environment Agency reports, nearly 9.10% of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU occur due to industrial activities.

Cut down dependency on raw materials

The demand for raw materials is increasing with the increase in the world’s population. Well, the vital raw materials available in nature are limited. So, recycling raw materials can reduce the risks related to supply like availability, import dependency and high prices. It applies mainly to crucial raw materials needed for electric engines and batteries.

Save costs for consumers and create jobs

Heading towards a circular economy in the coming years we can boost competitiveness, and economic growth and create new jobs (By 2030 expected jobs in the EU alone would be 700,000).

Designing for a circular economy would allow manufacturers to offer more innovative and long-lasting products to the consumers which would save them money in the long run.

Ways to Design for User Behavior

The main goal of sustainable designs is to reduce harm to the environment by using green materials and cutting down waste. Designers are following sustainability practices to reduce environmental challenges globally.

The circular economy model

less raw material, less waste, fewer emissions

Helius Work | Exploring the Scientific Approach to Sustainable Product Design - The circular economy model​
Sustainable product design not only protects the environment but also creates awareness among environment-conscious consumers to opt for eco-friendly options. If you want to contribute to the environment through your product, explore the different strategies that can guide you design sustainable products.

Focus on the lifecycle of the product

The lifecycle of your products begins with extracting raw materials and proceeds to design development and manufacturing. You need to focus on every stage of the product lifecycle to understand its influence on the environment and find methods to reduce it. Here are some factors you need to consider.
  • Transport emissions
  • Energy use during production
  • Product longevity
  • EOL (end-of-life) useful life
  • Recyclability & disassembly
  • Part replacement & servicing

Use Renewable & Recycled materials

Using renewable and recycled materials is one of the best methods to design sustainable products. Do not use new materials alone rather try to use recycled materials for product design. Additionally, you can use some popular renewable materials like cork, bamboo, and organic cotton which leave a minimal impact on the environment than other alternatives.

Focus on making products that consumers can recycle

If you have made a recyclable product, it is great. But, can your product be recycled easily? So, think about how your consumers can recycle it easily and the local resources available for them to recycle.

Extend product life, serviceability and durability

Yet another option to make sustainable products is to boost their life. So, design products that are durable and serviceable. Encourage consumers to buy products that are sturdy and do not need frequent replacements.

Pay attention to transportation & packaging

While creating sustainable product design, do not neglect its transportation and packaging. Use packaging materials that are eco-friendly to reduce waste.
  • Use biodegradable packaging materials.
  • Find ways to cut down the weight and size of the product to reduce transportation emissions and shipping costs.

Ethical Manufacturing and Eco-friendly Materials

Considering the example of the fashion industry, sustainability has gained importance while following the ethics behind the apparel we use. Sustainable fashion is about eco-friendly fabrics and ethical manufacturing practices.

Eco-friendly materials used in the fashion industry

  • Organic cotton
  • Hemp
  • Recycled Polyester
  • Bamboo
  • Tencel
  • Pinatex
  • Linen

Ethical Practices in Product Design

Circular Fashion

When it comes to sustainable fashion manufacturing, the circular economy is a revolutionary approach that can recreate the clothing lifecycle. As compared to the traditional approach where the resources are gathered, used and then disposed of, the circular economy promotes a sustainable approach that reduces waste and optimizes value.

Upcycling

It is about transforming a garment into a completely different thing by adding some uniqueness and value. It helps us craft to turn something waste into a usable product.

Eco-friendly materials

Some eco-friendly textile materials like bamboo, recycled polyester, and organic cotton do not harm the environment and also add to comfortable clothing and innovation.

Renewable Energy

Using sustainable energy and clean resources like hydroelectric power, solar power and wind helps to empower distribution, manufacturing and retail operations of fashion companies.

Using renewable energy sources is one of the vital aspects of sustainable practices for the fashion industry that enables the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and a sustainable future.

Examples of Real-world Applications for Sustainable Designs

Let us have a look at some examples of companies implementing sustainable design principles to build products.

Sustainability is gradually becoming the need of the hour for businesses. Hence, entrepreneurs are focussing on building sustainable products that resolve vital issues worldwide. Some of the practical examples are

Patagonia

A popular apparel company emphasizes using sustainable materials to produce quality clothing that lasts longer and reduces replacements in short periods.  It helps them reduce waste during the manufacturing cycle.

Ecover

A company that manufactures cleaning products using renewable and natural resources. The products are chemical-free and recyclable. Using recycled materials for the packaging helps this company reduce waste.

Tesla

Tesla is the perfect example of sustainable transportation. It manufactures electric cars that use renewable energy resources and reduce the dependency on fossil fuels.

Conclusion

Environmental concerns like climate change, depletion of resources, and pollution are noticeable. The only way to address these concerns is to move to sustainable and responsible consumption. As a consumer, you can contribute to the environment by giving importance to sustainable products. You can check the labels while buying products to ensure they are made using sustainable materials. Your choices as consumers can drive manufacturers and brands to move towards sustainable practices.

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Author:

Kavya Dave

Kavya Dave, a fresh Computer Science graduate and AI enthusiast, loves building products that solve real-life problems. With a knack for product strategy, implementation, and data analysis, she excels in creating impactful solutions. A true people person, Kavya is dedicated to making technology accessible and effective.

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