Sustainability and the Environment in Design Technology

Sustainability

Development that meets present needs without compromising future generations.

Eco-system

A community of living organisms interacting with their environment.

Finite Resource

Non-renewable resources that will eventually deplete.

Non-Finite Resource

Naturally replenished resources available in ample supply.

Ecological Footprint

The environmental impact of resource consumption.

Resource Consumption

The use of natural resources for human needs.

CO2 Emissions

Carbon dioxide released during production and transportation.

Waste Disposal

Methods for managing and disposing of waste materials.

Recycling Responsibility

Everyone is accountable for recycling efforts.

Manufacturing Recycling

Companies must recycle as much as possible.

Toxic By-products

Harmful substances produced during manufacturing processes.

Renewable Energy

Energy from sources that can be replenished naturally.

Managed Forests

Forests that are sustainably harvested for wood.

Solar Power

Energy harnessed from sunlight.

Wind Power

Energy generated from wind using turbines.

Tidal Energy

Energy produced from ocean tides.

Natural Textiles

Fabrics made from renewable plant or animal sources.

Environmental Impact

Effects of human activity on the natural world.

Ethical Issues

Moral considerations in resource consumption and production.

Production Techniques

Methods used to manufacture products and their impacts.

Future Generations

People who will live after the current population.

Waste Impact

Consequences of waste on soil, water, and ecosystems.

Recycling Requirements

Strict regulations for consumer electronics disposal.

Waste Disposal Planning

Strategic waste management reduces raw material usage.

Internal Waste Reuse

Utilizing waste materials for alternative company products.

Recyclable Waste Revenue

Selling recyclable waste recoups material costs.

Energy Generation

Waste can generate energy for business operations.

Landfill Prevention

Minimizing waste prolongs landfill site lifespan.

Waste Disposal Fees

Businesses incur costs for waste disposal services.

Waste Reduction Benefits

Less waste leads to cost savings for companies.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Analysis of a product's environmental impact over time.

Energy Measurement

LCA assesses energy use via CO2 emissions.

LCA Stages

Key phases include extraction, manufacturing, and disposal.

Extraction and Processing

Energy used to obtain and prepare raw materials.

Manufacturing and Production

Energy required to create products from materials.

Distribution Impact

Pollutants released during product transportation.

In Use Energy

Energy consumed by the product during its lifetime.

Environmental Impact

Product usage effects vary by product type.

End of Life Energy

Energy needed for recycling or waste disposal.

Landfill Land Usage

Land required for waste disposal sites.

Recyclability Assessment

Evaluating potential for product recycling.

Ethical Considerations

LCA raises questions about social and environmental impacts.

Energy Savings Opportunities

Identifying areas to reduce energy consumption.

Community Impact

Assessing negative effects on local environments.

Life Cycle Stage

Phases a product goes through from creation to disposal.

Plastic Carrier Bags

Bags made from plastic, often used for shopping.

Crude Oil

Finite resource used to produce plastics.

Fractional Distillation

Process to separate crude oil into components.

Cracking

Breaking down large hydrocarbons into smaller ones.

Polymerisation

Chemical process to create polymers from monomers.

Manufacture and Production

Process of creating products in large quantities.

Distribution

Transporting products to retailers or consumers.

Pollution

Harmful substances released into the environment.

Life Cycle Assessment

Evaluation of environmental impacts throughout a product's life.

Population Explosion

Rapid increase in population, especially since 20th century.

Renewable Materials

Sustainable resources that can be replenished naturally.

Thermoelectric Technology

Generates electricity from heat differences.

BioLite

Company creating energy products for off-grid living.

Clean Energy Access

Providing sustainable energy to underserved populations.

Positive Impacts of New Technologies

Benefits include using renewable and recyclable materials.

Negative Impacts of New Technologies

Drawbacks include reliance on finite materials.

Built-in Obsolescence

Products designed to have a limited lifespan.

Continuous Improvement

Ongoing efforts to enhance products and processes.

Competitive Marketplace

Environment where businesses vie for market share.

Upgradeability

Ability to enhance a product's features or performance.

Local Sourcing

Obtaining materials from nearby suppliers to reduce transport.

Continuous Improvement

Ongoing efforts to enhance products and services.

Kaizen

Japanese philosophy focused on continuous improvement.

Efficient Working

Practices aimed at maximizing productivity and minimizing waste.

Just-In-Time (JIT)

Inventory strategy to reduce waste and improve efficiency.

Lean Manufacturing

Production method minimizing waste while maximizing value.

Recycling

Process of converting waste into reusable material.

Waste Reduction

Minimizing waste generation during production processes.

Pollution

Release of harmful substances into the environment.

Microbeads Ban

Legislation prohibiting plastic microbeads in cosmetics.

Global Warming

Long-term increase in Earth's average temperature.

Fossil Fuels

Natural fuels formed from decomposed organisms.

Greenhouse Gases

Gases trapping heat in the atmosphere, causing warming.

Carbon Monoxide

Toxic gas produced from incomplete combustion.

Nitrogen Oxides

Pollutants contributing to smog and acid rain.

Energy Efficiency

Using less energy to provide the same service.

Carbon Offsetting

Compensating emissions by funding equivalent reductions elsewhere.

Carbon Credits

Certificates representing reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Land Restoration

Rehabilitating degraded land to restore ecosystems.

Tree Planting

Planting trees to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Renewable Energy

Energy from sources that are naturally replenished.

Emission Controls

Regulations to limit pollutants released into the atmosphere.

Sustainability

Meeting needs without compromising future generations' ability.

Environmental Responsibility

Obligation to minimize negative impact on the environment.