SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT DESIGN

What is sustainable?Able to be maintained at a

certain rate or levelConserving an ecological balance

by avoiding depletion of natural resources

Able to be upheld or defended

Sustainable product design“The design of objects that aid

the sustainability of the systems in which they operate.”

Sustainable Product Design

Sustainable

Technology

Sustainable Design

Sustainable

Materials

ExplanationSustainable product design is the philosophy of designing physical

objects, to comply with the principles of economic, social, and

ecological sustainability.

Economic sustainability

is not just about achieving economic growth year on

year. It’s about understanding that economic growth is only sustainable if it simultaneously improves our quality of life and the

environment

Social sustainability encompasses human rights, labor rights, and corporate

governanceEcological Sustainability

Capacity of ecosystems to maintain their essential

functions and processes, and retain their biodiversity

in full measure over the long-term

Sustainable designSustainable design is a kind of design

meant to yield products that are made only of renewable resources. Furthermore, products made though sustainable design are intended not to seriously impact the environment either when they are being created or when they are being used. These products are also often designed to allow the users to feel more connected or to relate more closely to the natural environment.

Sustainable designSustainable design is also called

"environmental design" and "environmentally-conscious design." It is also sometimes called "environmentally sustainable design" or "ESD." No matter what it is called, this kind of a design is just as much a philosophy as it is a practice. It is based on economic, ecological, and social principles regarding the importance of sustainability.

How to make sustainable design?1. Ma k e i t l e s s c o m p l e x

◦Simple, elegant designs can reduce material, weight, and manufacturing processes. Simple designs usually also mean less material variety and can help make a product more recyclable.

2. M a k e i t m o r e u s e f u l◦ there is a big difference between usefulness

and complexity.Only make the product more desirable and interesting, it will also help reduce the number of products headed for landfills. Multiuse products can reduce consumption and increase convenience.

3. r e d u c e m a t e r i a l v a r i e t y◦ Designing as many aspects of the product as

you can from the same material makes recycling the product at its end of life easier, more efficient, and more profitable.

4. A v o i d t o x i c o r h a r m f u l m a t e r i a l s a n d c h e m i c a l s ◦ Materials like PVC, neoprene or polystyrene, and

toxic chemicals and additives like bisphenol A and formaldehyde should be avoided when possible. Many of these materials have suitable non-toxic counterparts, like copolyesters or bioplastics, and additives can be eliminated by choosing materials wisely.

5. r e d u c e s i z e a n d w e i g h t .◦ Lightweight products can reduce carbon

emissions and cost Weight can often be saved by focusing on choosing lightweight materials, simplifying designs, and eliminating unnecessary fasteners and components.

6. D e s i g n f o r u p g r a d e a b i l i t y .◦ In the electronics industry, the technology in

a product can become obsolete long before the design.

◦ Designing products that can be upgraded to keep up with rapidly changing technical performance can save materials and money.

7. C r e a t e d u r a b l e a n d h i g h q u a l i t y d e s i g n s .◦ People want high quality products that will

look and function beautifully long after the competing product has died, and they’re willing to pay a little more for that type of design.

◦ Designed properly, products can exceed the “throw away” culture that dominates electronics today.

8. D e s i g n f o r l i f e a f t e r d e a t h◦Most products don’t last forever.

Products designed to have secondary usages after their primary function has lapsed can add value to the product, and may fill a need that would be filled by another purchased product instead.

PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT DESIGN

Efficient use of raw materials (e.g. lightweight construction with regenerative materials and reduction of waste)

Resource efficient design (e.g. by optimization of energy and water consumption or using less virgin materials)

Durable design (e.g. stable construction and high longevity)

High disposability (e.g. use of easily degradable materials)

Efficient logistics (e.g. minimized packing and efficient transports)

Service substitution (e.g. car-sharing and similar per capital resource consumption reduction strategies achieved through redesigning ownership structures)

Proper training and education for the workers (e.g. at the production site)

Observing and complying with human rights issues (e.g. discrimination based on gender or race at production sites)

Worker‘s health and safety (e.g. proper gear and equipment in toxic environments)

Consumer health & safety (e.g. informing the consumer via product labels and voluntary information)

Categorization of Sustainable Products

1. Biological Products2. Technical Products

1) Biological ProductsA biological product is one which

is made of biological nutrients like organic material such as wood and can easily be consumed by the microorganisms in the soil or by other animals. So that it continues in the cycle of nature.

2) Technical Products A technical product is one that is made

with technological nutrients like industrial materials such as metals or plastics and designed to go back into the technical cycle, or the cycle of industry. It can continually enrich the industry by being consumed as industrial “food.”

During recycling, if the metals would be smelted only with like metals then they will retain their high quality; likewise for plastics and thus continue to circulate in the cycle of industry as technical nutrients.

Current Trend of Product Design Unfortunately, most of our today’s products

are a hybrid of biological and technological nutrients, and they end up as waste for the reason that they are not properly designed to continue for high quality or we can say “up-cycle” reuse after their useful lives.

With the right design, all of the products and materials manufactured by industry will safely feed these two metabolisms, providing nourishment for something new.

Examples of sustainable design

SOLAR ENERGY

Solar energySolar energy is an alternative energy source

that involves harnessing the radiant light energy emitted by the sun and converting it into electrical current. Since the middle of the 20th century, the ability to harness and utilize solar energy has greatly increased, making it possible for homes and businesses to make use of the renewal energy source rather than rely on more conventional means of generating power. Research into the applications of solar energy continue, along with the development of more cost-effective ways to capture and store the energy for future use

Some facts! About 30% of total energy received by the earth is

reflected back towards the space Remaining energy is absorbed by the clouds oceans and land masses

The amount of solar energy reaching the surface of the planet is so vast that in one year it is about twice as much as will ever be obtained from all of the Earth's non renewable resources of coal oil natural gas and mined uranium combined

Solar energy is the primary energy source among all of the renewable source like wave energy hydro electricity

Explanation

The Earth receives 174 petawatts (PW) of incoming solar radiation (insolation) at the upper atmosphere.[1] Approximately 30% is reflected back to space while the rest is absorbed by clouds, oceans and land masses. The spectrum of solar light at the Earth's surface is mostly spread across the visible and near-infrared ranges with a small part in the near-ultraviolet.

ApplicationsSolar energy refers primarily to the use of solar

radiation for practical ends. However, all renewable energies, other than geothermal and tidal, derive their energy from the sun.

Solar technologies are broadly characterized as either passive or active depending on the way they capture, convert and distribute sunlight.

Active solar techniques use photovoltaic panels, pumps, and fans to convert sunlight into useful outputs.

Passive solar techniques include selecting materials with favorable thermal properties, designing spaces that naturally circulate air, and referencing the position of a building to the Sun

Solar water heater

Solar water heater uses solar collector panel to transfer the heat energy of sun light to the water

The unit uses convection movement of hot water upward to move the water from collector to tank .Neither pumps nor electricity are used to enforce circulation

Material uses into the fabrication of tank is insulator for heat so heat of the hot water can not transfer to the surrounding environment and hence water can be keep hot

solar cellsPrinciple: Some materials release

electrons when hit with rays of light which produces an electrical current

This effect was discovered by Alexander Edmond Becquerel The first solar cell was constructed by Charles Fritts in the 1880.

What is a Solar cell?A structure that converts solar energy

directly to DC electric energy.It is like a battery because it supplies

DC power.

Uses of solar cells Solar cells are very

useful in powering space vehicles such as satellites and telescopes (e.g. Hubble). They provide a very economical and reliable way of powering objects which would otherwise need expensive and cumbersome fuel sources.

Uses of solar cellsSolar powered cars

are cars which are powered by an array of photovoltaic cells. The electricity created by the solar cells either directly powers the vehicle through a motor, or goes into a storage battery.

Solar panels A solar panel

(photovoltaic module or photovoltaic panel) is a packaged interconnected assembly of solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells. The solar panel is used as a component in a larger photovoltaic system to offer electricity for commercial and residential applications.

Solar panelsBecause a single solar panel can

only produce a limited amount of power, many installations contain several panels. This is known as a photovoltaic array. A photovoltaic installation typically includes an array of solar panels, an inverter, batteries and interconnection wiring.

Advantages of solar panelsMany of us worry about our fuel bills and

the environmental impact of our fuel consumption, while a free and clean source of energy is shining down on us all day. In one minute, the sun gives the earth enough energy to meet the earth's power needs for a year. If you install a solar panel in your house, you are tapping into this massive source of free energy, and slashing your fuel bills. There are also great environmental benefits to solar energy, as it produces no pollution.

Advantages of solar energy Solar Energy Is Abundant Solar energy is everywhere, it’s abundant and we’ll

practically never run out. Even in mid winter we are blessed with a moderate amount of natural daylight provided courtesy of the sun. Okay, it might not be sunny everyday but we are still experiencing radiation from the sun and it is this which can be gleaned for our own renewable energy purposes. Thus the need for finding a long lasting energy resource is over!

Solar Energy Is Free Solar energy is completely free. Sure, there is an initial

capital cost but once you have made the investment the energy harvested from the sun costs you nothing. No one will be sending you a bill for sunshine. Thus no worries of spending enormous amounts of your salary in satisfying your energy requirements.

Advantages of solar energy Solar Energy Is Cost Effective While solar photovoltaic are still relatively expensive,, the technology is

growing rapidly as is production – and as a result the costs involved are coming down and is now cost effective. Solar hot water panels have been greatly improved in recent years and, with lower cost, payback times for domestic systems can no be as short as five years. As coal, gas and oil prices continue to rise solar energy will become a viable alternative. It’s secure. We live in uncertain times and we are increasingly relying on our fossil fuel supplies coming from areas abroad over which we have little or no control.

Solar Energy Is Clean Finally solar energy is clean. It is a clean alternative to fossil fuels and

nuclear power and it will never run out. It’s silent. Solar power can be captured anywhere without creating noise pollution that might otherwise up set neighbours and wildlife. It works wherever the sun shines. It doesn’t matter how remote, solar can generate energy where no other form of power can be obtained. Thus, no danger of damaging our already damaged environment further and you can be part of the Green initiative, lower your carbon footprint, and save our planet from harmful greenhouse gases.

Final ThoughtSun provides power only during the day is

countered by the fact that 70% of energy demand is during daytime hours. At night, traditional methods can be used to generate the electricity.

Goal is to decrease our dependence on fossil fuels.

Currently, 75% of our electrical power is generated by coal-burning and nuclear power plants.

Mitigates the effects of acid rain, carbon dioxide, and other impacts of burning coal and counters risks associated with nuclear energy.

pollution free, indefinitely sustainable.