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Design and technology

Innovation and emerging technologies

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EcoReDesign 2

In the HSC course of Design and technology you learn about ethical and environmental issues and learn to identify the factors which contribute to the efficiency and sustainability of technologies. This tutorial provides opportunities to explore the concept of ecological or sustainable design.

Outcomes

This material addresses aspects of the following syllabus outcomes:

H2.2 The student evaluates the impact of design and innovation on society and the environment.

Source: Board of Studies NSW, Stage 6 Design and Technology Syllabus, Preliminary and HSC Courses (2007)

EcoReDesign 2 is funded by EcoRecycle Victoria, the Energy Research and Development Corporation and the NSW Environment Protection Authority. The program is based in Victoria at the Centre for Design at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT).

From 1994 to 1997, seven Australian companies participated in a program, known as EcoReDesign, to redesign their products for this new green market. By the end of 1996, a series of products from those companies stand as a demonstration of what 'design for the environment' can achieve, for business success and for the environment. The products reflect an important change of industry perspective, from treating the environment as a threat, to viewing it as an opportunity for new productive and sustainable endeavours. (EcoReDesign, 1997: 1)

An Introduction to EcoReDesign is a summary of the 112 page publication: A Guide to the EcoReDesign process (1997). The summary provides an excellent overview of sustainable design and strategies for improving the environmental performance of manufactured products

Activity

1. Download the Introduction to EcoReDesign
   
   
2. Use the first table: How products conctribute to environmental problems to analyse the potential impact of your major design project.
   
   
3. Identify strategies for EcoReDesign.
   
   
4. The EcoReDesign process involves three phases:
   
   
   • Phase 1 The product selection and general product analysis
   • Phase 2 An analysis of the product's environmental impact and setting design directions
   • Phase 3 The realisation (prototype, testing, adjustment) of a new design to reduce environmental impacts.
     (EcoReDesign, 1997: 6)
     
     
   A process tree or flow chart of the product is used to conduct a general product analysis. Look at the process tree for an electric kettle on page 7 and apply this to a product you are interested in.
   
   
5. Read page 8: Phase 2 and in particular Simplifying the LCA process. Note the Simple inventory matrix for production of an electric kettle. The Impact assessment matrix on page 10 may be a useful tool for assessing your own major design project, but obviously not in as much detail.