Chapter 2 - Sustainability

Question 1

Finite materials

Answer 1

Non renewable resources + fossil fuels
Being used faster than they can be reproduced
84% of our energy comes from this
EG: coal, gas, oil

Question 2

Non-finite materials

Answer 2

Found naturally
Can reproduce
Not likely to be used up
EG: oxygen, fresh water, timber, leather

Question 3

Considerations of responsible design

Answer 3

Production that requires non renewable energy
Toxic by products are created
Environmental impact of mining and harvesting
The product + it’s production effect with greenhouse gases (like co2)
Transportation + distribution distance - this is required
Maintenance and repair costs
Welfare of workers + having fair pay
The product’s recyclability at the end of it’s lifetime
Ethical and moral issues - the product + process of making it may have

Question 4

Waste disposal negative impact examples

Answer 4

Burning/ incineration - emits toxins - effect air quality
Landfill/ burial
Dumping at sea - contaminates water and effects food chain and supply - wildlife is killed

Question 4

Waste disposal

Answer 4

How product consumptions of materials etc create waste, and how does that effect the planet.

Question 5

Ecological + Social footprint

Answer 5

All materials leave a footprint!
Obtaining the raw material
Manufacturing and processing
Shipping + transportation + distribution
Batter/ fuel power + consumption/ wear and tear
End of life

Question 6

Thoughts on how to improve the LCA of a product

Answer 6

Where can energy be saved?
Where can working conditions be improved?
Where can emissions be reduced?
Where can material be saved?
Do our actions have a negative effect on communities or the natural environment?

Question 6

The Life Cycle assessment LCA

Answer 6

1. Extraction and processing - energy used to extract material
2. Manufacturing and production - energy used to manipulate the materials
3. Distribution - energy used for packaging and transportation
4. Usage - energy the product uses during it’s working life
5. End of life - energy used to recycle the product

Question 7

Waste disposal positive impact example

Answer 7

Recycling

Question 8

Impact of consumption

Answer 8

When waste is liquid/ toxic/ radioactive:
Chemicals can leach into soil + water - hazardous to animals

Question 9

Positive impacts of Design / Technologies

Answer 9

Only renewable energy used, from managed sources
Renewable energy used to power production
Use of recycled and recyclable materials
Designing products to be reparable, usable and fully recyclable
Designing products with fewer components = less weight for transportation
Designing upgraded products - extending the life
Producing products with lower power consumption
Creating products that are upgradeable - allowing their life to be extended
Creating products that are sourced and sold locally

Question 10

Negative impact of Design / Technologies

Answer 10

Overuse of finite resources + non-recycled materials
Use of many components - hard to repair and recycle
Lots of fossil fuels used to power manufacture
High power consumption - in use + on standby
Products may be designed to not be upgradable
Components of a product may have travelled longs distances/ shipped globally

Question 11

Continuous improvement

Answer 11

Being able to continuously improve and develop products + services + procedures, for the better.

Question 11

Types of renewable energy

Answer 11

wind, waver, solar, geothermal, tidal, biomass

Question 11

Example of : Cycle of non recycled rubbish

Answer 11

1. we throw away a product - eg plastic
2. packaging
   3.Plastics absorb the toxic toxins
   4.Fish eat plastics
   5.We eat fish
   It’s a full cycle

Question 11

Efficient working

Answer 11

Aiming to remove waste from processes

Question 12

Types of efficient working

Answer 12

• wasted time
• over production
• wasted resources , including power
• wasted activity

Question 13

Pollution

Answer 13

It is almost impossible to make a product without creating pollution.
Pollution from a product can effect water, land, noise, light pollution

Question 14

Factors of global warming

Answer 14

These factors are cause through making and using the products.
- hotter temperatures
- severe storms
- increased number of droughts
- ocean level rising
- loss of species
- not enough food
- health risks, can be created
- poverty

. increased renewable energy
. improved efficiency in buildings
. reduced co2 level from new cars
. adding measures to reduce emissions, from landfills

Question 15

Battery power

Answer 15

1. It uses finite and dangerous metals
2. Process is very intensive
3. Disposal of batteries is very hard - they can leak, releasing alkalis into the environment

Question 16

Carbon offsetting

Answer 16

All companies have negative environmental costs.
Products are considered sustainable by offsetting the negative impact through investment in positive activities, that reduce carbon emissions.

Question 17

Steps of carbon offsetting

Answer 17

1. Reduce energy usage and co2 emissions - through more efficient user behaviour
2. Improve energy efficiency with more efficient appliances and buildings
3. Incorporate renewable energy and green power
4. Purchase carbon offsets