12 - Responsible design

Question 1

Define circular economy

Answer 1

Is an approach that anticipates and designs for biological and technical ‘nutrients’ to be continuously reused at the same quality, dramatically reducing the dependency on sourcing new materials

Question 2

Biological nutrients

Answer 2

Organic non-toxic materials can be simply composted and can safely re-enter ecosystems without harming the natural environment

Question 3

Technical nutrients (2)

Answer 3

• Man-made materials including polymers and alloys to be used repeatedly at the same initial high quality with minimal energy and no adverse environmental effects
• For example products such as cars and washing machines are made from technical nutrients

Question 4

Advantages of a circular economy (7)

Answer 4

• Work against the unsustainable ‘take, make, dispose’ culture
• Promote and drive greater resource productivity
• Reduce the use of finite resources
• Reduce waste
• Avoid pollution
• Deliver a more competitive UK economy
• Helps reduce the environmental impact of our product manufacture and consumption in both the UK and global markets

Question 5

Fairtrade (2)

Answer 5

• Is an organisation that negotiates with buyers to secure fair prices for products encouraging the ethical treatment of farmers and workers in developing countries
• They also promote sustainable development, benefits for producers, active citizenship

Question 6

Cradle to cradle

Answer 6

Is a new approach to design and manufacture that fits into the ethos of the circular economy

Question 7

Aims of cradle to cradle (5)

Answer 7

• Reuse of any waste created
• A holistic approach to design
• Reduction of carbon footprint
• Cleaning any waste water for reuse it
• Eliminating the use of toxic materials

Question 8

6 Rs of sustainability

Answer 8

• Recycle
• Reduce
• Refuse
• Repair
• Rethink
• Reuse

Question 9

Recycle - 6Rs of sustainability

Answer 9

Recovering parts and materials to be used again when products reach the end of their useful life

Question 10

Reduce - 6Rs of sustainability

Answer 10

Minimising wastage by using less material or eliminating excessive packaging

Question 11

Refuse - 6Rs of sustainability

Answer 11

Avoiding designs which for example use materials which are harmful to the environment or difficult to recycle

Question 12

Repair - 6Rs of sustainability

Answer 12

Designing products that can be repaired rather than those that have to be thrown out if they are damaged

Question 13

Rethink - 6Rs of sustainability

Answer 13

Considering carefully whether there might be more sustainable alternatives

Question 14

Reuse - 6Rs of sustainability

Answer 14

Making it possible to use products again rather than discarding them

Question 15

Define sustainability

Answer 15

The idea that goods and services should be produced in ways that do not use resources that cannot be replaced and do not damage the environment