Design SL, Topic 2.1 + 2.2: Resource Management & Sustainable production

Reserves

Reserves

______ are natural resources that have been identified in terms of quantity and quality.

Resources

______ are the stock or supply of materials that are available in a given context.

Renewability

The level at which a resource is renewable. The rate that a resource can be replenished.

Repair

The reconstruction or renewal of any part of an existing structure or device.

Dematerialisation

The reduction of total material and energy throughput of any product and service.

Recycle

______ refers to using the materials from obsolete products to create other products.

Recondition

Rebuilding a product so that it is in an “as new” condition, and is generally used in the context of car engines and tyres.

Re-use

Reuse of a product in the same context or in a different context.

Closed loop recycling

A process where waste is collected, recycled and then used again to make the same product it came from.

Design for disassembly

The ability to easily (and economically) take components apart meaning they can be recycled/reused/repurposed.

Re-engineer

To redesign components or products to improve their characteristics or performance.

Circular economy

An economy model in which resources remain in use for as long as possible, from which maximum value is extracted while in use, and the products and materials are recovered and regenerated at the end of the product life cycle.

Lean production

A strategy to identify and reduce areas of waste.  It is a practical framework that focuses on the elimination of waste and the continuous improvement of production.

Advantages of Re-use

The most efficient and sustainable way to make us of old products

Can save money

Lowers emissions, uses less material and energy

Disadvantages of Re-use

Not possible for most products and components to be reused

Not always economically viable

Advantages of Recycling

Reduces use of new material  

A market for recycled material is created when designers specify them, increasing their value.

Takes waste materials out of the environment, reducing pollution

Disadvantages of Recycling

Suitable materials are difficult to source and not always available

The quality and consistency of recycled material is not as high as new materials.

Advantages of Repair

Extends the life of a product.

Design intent can make this process easier

Disadvantages of Repair

Requires design for disassembly

Reduces demand for new products

Replacement parts not always available

Advantages of Recondition

Diverts materials from landfill.

Parts can be replaced to maintain energy efficiency.

Can be sold at a lower price than a new product.

Disadvantages of Recondition

Cheaper and more efficient new products can be better

Advantages of Re-engineering

Improved characteristics such as energy efficiency, lighter materials etc.

New product functions can be added making them more competitive.

Disadvantages of Re-engineering

Expensive

Advantages of Lean Production

Areas of waste are identifies and reduced

Continuous improvement of the production process.

Disadvantages of Lean Production

Focus on present production leaves less time for long term strategies.

A focus on streamlined processes leaves little margin for possible errors.

Advantages of Circular economy

cradle to cradle builds in recyclability

It reduce waste to landfill

Disadvantages of circular economy

Mostly it is still just a unfulfilled idea

Requires high upfront costs for example recycling infrastructure

Advantages of design for disassembly

Allows components to be more easily removed for recycling

Reduces costs down the line at the end of the products life

Disadvantages of design for disassembly

Can be costly initially

Advantages of dematerialisation

Reduction in volume of material used reducing energy use

Can impact all stages of the product life cycle

Can reduce waste by reducing packaging

Advantages of closed loop recycling

Cradle to cradle reduces the impact on resources and the environment

Reduces waste by keeping materials in use and out of the environment

Disadvantages of closed loop recycling

Relies on an efficient collection system for recycling 

High upfront costs

A different business model is required where products are leased rather than bought.