ecodesign is concerned with

reducing environmental and

social impacts through better design

80% of environmental impacts

can be locked-in at the design stage

ecodesign requires life cycle thinking

take make waste buy/use

re-use re--manufacture recycle

most designers are concerned with these stages

"Sonicare Elite 7000“ produced at 11 locations and in five time zones, comprised of 38 components, parts supplied by Japan, France, China and Malaysia, materials and production in Austria, Sweden, assembly in Philippines and United States, when fully assembled and packaged in Seattle the components have travelled a full 27,880 kilometres, two thirds of the Earth's circumference.

source: SPIEGEL Magazine

98% of products are thrown away within 6 months

source: Chris Jordan and CKS recycling

resources

source: Edwin Datschefski & United Nationa University

pollution

source: Edward Burtynsky and environment agency UK

http://current.com/green/90571271_plastic-sea-the-worlds-trash-dump.htm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxNqzAHGXvs http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/the-worlds-rubbish-dump-a-garbage-tip-that-stretches-from-hawaii-to-japan-778016.html

over 1 billion people do not have access to clean drinking water

source: UNDP

80% of all disease in developing countries is caused by consumption of contaminated water

source: WHO

between 100 and 1000 species become extinct each year, because their habitats are changing or being destroyed.

source: UK Government

Image www.castlereagh.gov.uk

Landfill tax in the UK has risen from £7.00 per tonne in 1996 to £48.00 in 2010

cost

Source: UK Trade Info

ecodesign is a strategic design management process that is concerned with minimising the full life cycle environmental & social impacts of products, packaging and services

““

ecodesign thinking considers the materials, processes & practices of a company. It can identify layers of waste but also layers of value

“ “

effective ecodesign thinking is open, process & system-oriented, multidisciplinary and cross-functional, involving ‘people’ as well as ‘stuff’. It requires trust

“ “

ecodesign requires us to re-shape the way we think

We (Ecodesign Centre) aim to proactively inspire and lead all stakeholders to enable

effective ecodesign in industry.

This is done by facilitating the open sharing of knowledge and experience with fresh

thinking and integrity.

Aim to build capacity and capabilities in industry, design community, public sector organisations and education so that effective ecodesign can happen.

Ø  established in 2006 Ø  team of 5, based in Cardiff Ø  designated a centre of expertise in 2008 by the Welsh Assembly Government ecodesign = good design = good practice

Ecodesign Centre

enable ecodesign

designers interact between industry, users and other actors

industry

consumers

design

designers can influence how people consume, use, behave … industry

consumers

design

design for…. full life cycles life cycles, nutrient cycles, material selection, cradle to cradle

image source: mc donagh / braungart

design for…. eco-packaging natural, returnable, reusable, multifunction, biodegradable

design for…. low impact materials recycled, recyclable, bio materials, compatibility, compostable,

renewable, sustainable

image source: inhabitat, Worn Again, Moscardino, Remarkable, Sony

design for…. fair & just production health and safety, employees

rights, unions, forced labour, child

labour, discrimination,

image source: martin charter / CFSD

design for…. product systems returnable, remanufacture,

re-use, closed-loop, end-of-life,

product-service-system

image source: RSA

design for…. durability longevity, durability, desire

image source: dualit, kitchenaid

investigate the internal and external drivers for packaging, product or service (re)design. these drivers could include legislation, customers, new technology, competition.

assess the environmental impacts of the packaging and product. map the life cycle so you understand where these impacts occur. identify where materials and energy is used and where waste is produced.

select ecodesign strategies that will allow designers to tackle the main environmental impacts. explore the compromises and trade-offs. involve others from marketing, sales, production, purchasing.

develop a clear brand and marketing strategy to reflect and communicate the environmental improvements. consider how the packaging will impact upon the brand.

rethink assess communicate design

1. 2. 3. 4.

image source: UBUNTU

image source: Carbon Trust

Clever Little Bag by PUMA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwRulz8hPKI

image source: Puma

results? reduce water, energy & diesel by more than 60% p/a. 8,500 tonnes less paper consumed 20 million megajoules of electricity saved 1 million litres less fuel oil used 1 million litres of water saved by replacing traditional shopping bags they will save almost 275 tons of plastic.

packaging examples: good or bad?

ecocradle from seed husks and mushroom roots, http://www.ecovativedesign.com/ 100% Bio-Plastic Water Bottles Trickle Into Marketplace http://www.environmentalleader.com/2010/03/08/bio-plastic-water-bottles-trickle-into-

marketplace/ Colgate's Wisp: Two Steps Backward http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2010/11/09/colgates-wisp-two-steps-backward Unilever packaging http://www.greenwisebusiness.co.uk/news/asda-trials-reusable-packaging-for-fabric-

conditioner-1100.aspx !

!

!

!

ecodesign packaging tools, database and study

•  PIQUET http://www.sustainablepack.org/research/subpage.aspx?PageID=10&id=30

•  EDIT http://envirowise.wrap.org.uk/uk/Our-Services/Tools/EDIT-The-Eco-Design-Indicator-Tool.html

•  New 'searchable' database for greener packaging, with a list of suppliers also

http://www.greenerpackage.com/

•  WRAP study http://www.wrap.org.uk/retail/tools_for_change/international_packaging_study/index.html

market

•  Pike Research claims that the global market for sustainable packaging is growing fast, much faster than the overall packaging industry. The report indicates that the market may double in size from $88 million in 2009 to $170 billion in 2014.

•  according to Global Industry Analysts (GIA), the market seems unaffected by the economic crisis and is likely to reach $142.42 billion by 2015.

http://www.packagingdigest.com/

in the UK, growth in ethical

ethical consumerism

is now worth £32.3 billion a year

Co-operative Bank Ethical Consumerism Report November 2007.

http://www.belu.org/

http://www.innocentdrinks.co.uk/our_drinks/smoothies/smoothie_of_the_month/12/index.cfm

image source: Innocent Drinks

Packaging Reusable Wine Bottles

http://www.swordsselect.com.au/

image source: Apple

http://www.philips.com/about/sustainability/index.page

ecodesign packaging claims

•  Cereplast goes further by being pioneers in the development of plastics made from algae. Algae is a particularly interesting raw material since it is “capable of doubling its biomass in as little as two hours,” writes Bioplastics Magazine in its April, 2009 publication. …….. In the future, any petroleum-based product could potentially be replaced with algae.

http://cereplast.com/blog

ecodesign packaging claims

•  We have the strong conviction that bioplastics are an alternative

solution to prevent an environmental crisis while respecting the worldwide population. Both goals are not mutually exclusive, and if managed with both goals in mind can be mutually beneficial. Feeding people in the long-term can only be done if we are mindful of the environment, and adopt sustainable farming and breeding methods. We can feed the world and protect the planet while producing bioplastics. Step by step, we continue down the road to a sustainable world.

http://cereplast.com/blog

for reference The Future of Sustainable Packaging to 2020: Convenience VS the Environment (due: Dec2010) http://www.pira-international.com/ Sustainable Packaging Coalition guidelines http://www.sustainablepackaging.org/ Sustainable Packaging Alliance reports, guidelines http://www.sustainablepack.org/default.aspx British Plastic Federation have a Trends in Plastics Packaging event in December http://www.bpf.co.uk/

Orangebox

“designed  &  made  in  Wales.    zero  waste”  

Dr Frank O’Connor

Director - Ecodesign Centre frank@edcw.org

twitter: frank_oconnor www.edcw.org

permission of Oangebox

thank you & good luck source: Greg (flickr.com)