• Removes the need for batteries
A quick guide to designing innovative products with minimal environmental impact
What is Design for Environment?
Uses a flywheel – a 100% mechanical device - to generate power. Once speed is built up the flywheel maintains motion even when the bike slows or stops.
DfE is about developing products in a way that reduces their environmental impact. The aim is to design products that are functional, attractive, cost effective, and have no harmful side effects for human health or the environment. In today’s world, good design addresses environmental objectives.
• Trade off: While electronic components are eliminated, the fly wheel has a lower power storage capacity, but with no leakage. • Cost savings to consumer –no replacement batteries Concept 2: Major redesign
Power is generated by electromagnetic induction ( passing a magnet through a coil), with the magnet attached to the spokes on the front wheel, generating small bursts of power with each rotation of the wheel. Power generated is stored in a capacitor which powers the LEDs.
design for environment
Four strategies to minimise a product’s environmental impact and enable consumer action.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ +
Efficient design
• Avoid unnecessary components
The following four simple steps and four simple strategies can be used to identify and lock out environmental impacts.
+ + +
+
Keep the consumption, or input, of resources (materials, energy and water) to a minimum by doing more with less. Design products which:
You can make a difference! It’s estimated that 70% of a product’s environmental impact is locked in at the design stage. As designers you are uniquely positioned to ‘lock-out’ negative environmental impacts while ‘locking in’ positive features and attributes.
• Trade off: While energy generated can be stored, capacitors include electronic componentry and leak power when not in use. • Cost savings to consumer - no replacement batteries • Removes the need for batteries
• Removes environmental impacts from manufacture of electronic componentry
Concept 1: Small leap STEP 4: Generate Design Concepts
The environmental impacts associated with everything we create and do are significant and have local as well as global implications. In simple terms, our current patterns of production and consumption are unsustainable, especially if we are concerned about conserving resources for future generations to utilise and enjoy.
Designer: Stephen Mushin, MDIA. Further details of this case study, other case studies and Design for Environment guidelines are available at www.ecorecycle.vic.gov.au. The Battery-less Bikelight concept was developed as part of the Design for Environment program, a collaborative process with designers run by Design Institute of Australia( DIA) – Victorian Chapter, Centre for Design at RMIT University, Product Ecology and EcoRecycle Victoria.
Stephen’s strategy was to improve functionality and durability of the bikelight, aim for 100% recyclability while designing out environmental and waste impacts including toxic substances and recyclability of materials. STEP 3: Select appropriate Design for Environment strategies Mapping the lifecycle showed that the most significant impacts were in manufacture and disposal of batteries to landfill, followed by manufacture of electronic componentry which is resource intensive and uses scarce and hazardous substances. STEP 1 & 2: Map lifecycle and identify most significant impacts
Designer Stephen Mushin set out to design a practical, retro-fitable, self powered bike light that contains no toxic parts, requires next to zero maintenance, is next to indestructible, 100% recyclable and is reasonably priced.
Case Study: Rethinking Bikelights • Use the minimal amount of material necessary e.g. through light-weighting
+ + +
+ + +
+ +
Safe design
+ + +
+
Avoid toxic or hazardous substances in materials or production processes. These can be a risk to the health of workers who make the product, to the consumer who uses it, and to the natural environment that must deal with airborne, waterborne or solid wastes during the lifetime of the product. Design products which:
+ + +
+ + +
+ +
Cyclic design
+
+
+
+
+
+
Design products so materials can be continuously cycled through industrial or natural systems. This avoids waste. Design products which: • Can be reused for their original purpose or an alternative use
+
+ + +
Communication design
Ensure that product-related environmental communication is accurate, relevant, informative and verifiable. Encourage responsible purchasing and consumer behaviour by: • Designing the consumer interface on appliances to encourage the selection of efficient options
dfe strategies
• Use minimal energy in production and use
• Use renewable energy wherever possible • Use minimal water in production and use
• Do not require disposable consumables during use (e.g. filters, cartridges, batteries)
• Can be remanufactured (e.g. electrical and electronic goods, furniture)
• Avoid pigments, inks and dyes that utilise heavy metals (e.g. cadmium, chrome)
• Specify recyclable materials for which there are readily available collection systems
• Avoid processes that generate emissions of volatile organic compounds (e.g. solvent based printing)
• Keep to a minimum the number of different materials and components to assist recycling
• Avoid finishing processes that produce toxic wastes in production (e.g. chrome plating)
• Providing information on appropriate disposal, reuse or recycling options • Using appropriate logos and labels (e.g. polymer identification codes, recycling logos)
• Allow for different materials to be easily separated for recycling • Where appropriate use a biodegradable material (e.g. paper or starchbased polymer)
Design & Production by VIOLA eco-graphic design 03 9654 0402. Printed on Envirocare, 65% post consumer, 35% pre-consumer recycled ECF, EMAS accredited paper with vegetable-based inks and aqueous varnish by an ISO14001 compliant printer.
Designer: Stephen Mushin, MDIA. Further details of this case study, other case studies and Design for Environment guidelines are available at www.ecorecycle.vic.gov.au. The Battery-less Bikelight concept was developed as part of the Design for Environment program, a collaborative process with designers run by Design Institute of Australia( DIA) – Victorian Chapter, Centre for Design at RMIT University, Product Ecology and EcoRecycle Victoria.
Stephen’s strategy was to improve functionality and durability of the bikelight, aim for 100% recyclability while designing out environmental and waste impacts including toxic substances and recyclability of materials.
Designer Stephen Mushin set out to design a practical, retro-fitable, self powered bike light that contains no toxic parts, requires next to zero maintenance, is next to indestructible, 100% recyclable and is reasonably priced.
Uses a flywheel – a 100% mechanical device - to generate power. Once speed is built up the flywheel maintains motion even when the bike slows or stops. Concept 2: Major redesign
Concept 1: Small leap
design for environment
• Removes the need for batteries
STEP 4: Generate Design Concepts
Case Study: Rethinking Bikelights +
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Efficient design
Keep the consumption, or input, of resources (materials, energy and water) to a minimum by doing more with less. Design products which: • Avoid unnecessary components • Use the minimal amount of material necessary e.g. through light-weighting
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Safe design
Avoid toxic or hazardous substances in materials or production processes. These can be a risk to the health of workers who make the product, to the consumer who uses it, and to the natural environment that must deal with airborne, waterborne or solid wastes during the lifetime of the product. Design products which:
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Cyclic design
Design products so materials can be continuously cycled through industrial or natural systems. This avoids waste. Design products which: • Can be reused for their original purpose or an alternative use
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Communication design
Ensure that product-related environmental communication is accurate, relevant, informative and verifiable. Encourage responsible purchasing and consumer behaviour by: • Designing the consumer interface on appliances to encourage the selection of efficient options
dfe strategies
• Use minimal energy in production and use
• Use renewable energy wherever possible • Use minimal water in production and use
• Do not require disposable consumables during use (e.g. filters, cartridges, batteries)
Design & Production by VIOLA eco-graphic design 03 9654 0402. Printed on Envirocare, 65% post consumer, 35% pre-consumer recycled ECF, EMAS accredited paper with vegetable-based inks and aqueous varnish by an ISO14001 compliant printer.
STEP 1 & 2: Map lifecycle and identify most significant impacts
A quick guide to designing innovative products with minimal environmental impact
• Removes environmental impacts from manufacture of electronic componentry
Power is generated by electromagnetic induction ( passing a magnet through a coil), with the magnet attached to the spokes on the front wheel, generating small bursts of power with each rotation of the wheel. Power generated is stored in a capacitor which powers the LEDs.
The following four simple steps and four simple strategies can be used to identify and lock out environmental impacts.
• Removes the need for batteries
• Cost savings to consumer –no replacement batteries
It’s estimated that 70% of a product’s environmental impact is locked in at the design stage. As designers you are uniquely positioned to ‘lock-out’ negative environmental impacts while ‘locking in’ positive features and attributes.
• Cost savings to consumer - no replacement batteries
The environmental impacts associated with everything we create and do are significant and have local as well as global implications. In simple terms, our current patterns of production and consumption are unsustainable, especially if we are concerned about conserving resources for future generations to utilise and enjoy.
Mapping the lifecycle showed that the most significant impacts were in manufacture and disposal of batteries to landfill, followed by manufacture of electronic componentry which is resource intensive and uses scarce and hazardous substances.
• Trade off: While electronic components are eliminated, the fly wheel has a lower power storage capacity, but with no leakage.
You can make a difference!
• Trade off: While energy generated can be stored, capacitors include electronic componentry and leak power when not in use.
DfE is about developing products in a way that reduces their environmental impact. The aim is to design products that are functional, attractive, cost effective, and have no harmful side effects for human health or the environment. In today’s world, good design addresses environmental objectives.
STEP 3: Select appropriate Design for Environment strategies
What is Design for Environment?
Four strategies to minimise a product’s environmental impact and enable consumer action.
• Avoid pigments, inks and dyes that utilise heavy metals (e.g. cadmium, chrome)
• Avoid processes that generate emissions of volatile organic compounds (e.g. solvent based printing) • Avoid finishing processes that produce toxic wastes in production (e.g. chrome plating)
• Can be remanufactured (e.g. electrical and electronic goods, furniture) • Specify recyclable materials for which there are readily available collection systems
• Keep to a minimum the number of different materials and components to assist recycling • Allow for different materials to be easily separated for recycling • Where appropriate use a biodegradable material (e.g. paper or starchbased polymer)
• Providing information on appropriate disposal, reuse or recycling options • Using appropriate logos and labels (e.g. polymer identification codes, recycling logos)
Designer: Stephen Mushin, MDIA. Further details of this case study, other case studies and Design for Environment guidelines are available at www.ecorecycle.vic.gov.au. The Battery-less Bikelight concept was developed as part of the Design for Environment program, a collaborative process with designers run by Design Institute of Australia( DIA) – Victorian Chapter, Centre for Design at RMIT University, Product Ecology and EcoRecycle Victoria.
Stephen’s strategy was to improve functionality and durability of the bikelight, aim for 100% recyclability while designing out environmental and waste impacts including toxic substances and recyclability of materials.
Designer Stephen Mushin set out to design a practical, retro-fitable, self powered bike light that contains no toxic parts, requires next to zero maintenance, is next to indestructible, 100% recyclable and is reasonably priced.
Uses a flywheel – a 100% mechanical device - to generate power. Once speed is built up the flywheel maintains motion even when the bike slows or stops. Concept 2: Major redesign
Concept 1: Small leap
design for environment
• Removes the need for batteries
STEP 4: Generate Design Concepts
Case Study: Rethinking Bikelights +
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Efficient design
Keep the consumption, or input, of resources (materials, energy and water) to a minimum by doing more with less. Design products which: • Avoid unnecessary components • Use the minimal amount of material necessary e.g. through light-weighting
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Safe design
Avoid toxic or hazardous substances in materials or production processes. These can be a risk to the health of workers who make the product, to the consumer who uses it, and to the natural environment that must deal with airborne, waterborne or solid wastes during the lifetime of the product. Design products which:
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Cyclic design
Design products so materials can be continuously cycled through industrial or natural systems. This avoids waste. Design products which: • Can be reused for their original purpose or an alternative use
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Communication design
Ensure that product-related environmental communication is accurate, relevant, informative and verifiable. Encourage responsible purchasing and consumer behaviour by: • Designing the consumer interface on appliances to encourage the selection of efficient options
dfe strategies
• Use minimal energy in production and use
• Use renewable energy wherever possible • Use minimal water in production and use
• Do not require disposable consumables during use (e.g. filters, cartridges, batteries)
Design & Production by VIOLA eco-graphic design 03 9654 0402. Printed on Envirocare, 65% post consumer, 35% pre-consumer recycled ECF, EMAS accredited paper with vegetable-based inks and aqueous varnish by an ISO14001 compliant printer.
STEP 1 & 2: Map lifecycle and identify most significant impacts
A quick guide to designing innovative products with minimal environmental impact
• Removes environmental impacts from manufacture of electronic componentry
Power is generated by electromagnetic induction ( passing a magnet through a coil), with the magnet attached to the spokes on the front wheel, generating small bursts of power with each rotation of the wheel. Power generated is stored in a capacitor which powers the LEDs.
The following four simple steps and four simple strategies can be used to identify and lock out environmental impacts.
• Removes the need for batteries
• Cost savings to consumer –no replacement batteries
It’s estimated that 70% of a product’s environmental impact is locked in at the design stage. As designers you are uniquely positioned to ‘lock-out’ negative environmental impacts while ‘locking in’ positive features and attributes.
• Cost savings to consumer - no replacement batteries
The environmental impacts associated with everything we create and do are significant and have local as well as global implications. In simple terms, our current patterns of production and consumption are unsustainable, especially if we are concerned about conserving resources for future generations to utilise and enjoy.
Mapping the lifecycle showed that the most significant impacts were in manufacture and disposal of batteries to landfill, followed by manufacture of electronic componentry which is resource intensive and uses scarce and hazardous substances.
• Trade off: While electronic components are eliminated, the fly wheel has a lower power storage capacity, but with no leakage.
You can make a difference!
• Trade off: While energy generated can be stored, capacitors include electronic componentry and leak power when not in use.
DfE is about developing products in a way that reduces their environmental impact. The aim is to design products that are functional, attractive, cost effective, and have no harmful side effects for human health or the environment. In today’s world, good design addresses environmental objectives.
STEP 3: Select appropriate Design for Environment strategies
What is Design for Environment?
Four strategies to minimise a product’s environmental impact and enable consumer action.
• Avoid pigments, inks and dyes that utilise heavy metals (e.g. cadmium, chrome)
• Avoid processes that generate emissions of volatile organic compounds (e.g. solvent based printing) • Avoid finishing processes that produce toxic wastes in production (e.g. chrome plating)
• Can be remanufactured (e.g. electrical and electronic goods, furniture) • Specify recyclable materials for which there are readily available collection systems
• Keep to a minimum the number of different materials and components to assist recycling • Allow for different materials to be easily separated for recycling • Where appropriate use a biodegradable material (e.g. paper or starchbased polymer)
• Providing information on appropriate disposal, reuse or recycling options • Using appropriate logos and labels (e.g. polymer identification codes, recycling logos)
• Removes the need for batteries
A quick guide to designing innovative products with minimal environmental impact
What is Design for Environment?
Uses a flywheel – a 100% mechanical device - to generate power. Once speed is built up the flywheel maintains motion even when the bike slows or stops.
DfE is about developing products in a way that reduces their environmental impact. The aim is to design products that are functional, attractive, cost effective, and have no harmful side effects for human health or the environment. In today’s world, good design addresses environmental objectives.
• Trade off: While electronic components are eliminated, the fly wheel has a lower power storage capacity, but with no leakage. • Cost savings to consumer –no replacement batteries Concept 2: Major redesign
Power is generated by electromagnetic induction ( passing a magnet through a coil), with the magnet attached to the spokes on the front wheel, generating small bursts of power with each rotation of the wheel. Power generated is stored in a capacitor which powers the LEDs.
design for environment
Four strategies to minimise a product’s environmental impact and enable consumer action.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+ +
Efficient design
• Avoid unnecessary components
The following four simple steps and four simple strategies can be used to identify and lock out environmental impacts.
+ + +
+
Keep the consumption, or input, of resources (materials, energy and water) to a minimum by doing more with less. Design products which:
You can make a difference! It’s estimated that 70% of a product’s environmental impact is locked in at the design stage. As designers you are uniquely positioned to ‘lock-out’ negative environmental impacts while ‘locking in’ positive features and attributes.
• Trade off: While energy generated can be stored, capacitors include electronic componentry and leak power when not in use. • Cost savings to consumer - no replacement batteries • Removes the need for batteries
• Removes environmental impacts from manufacture of electronic componentry
Concept 1: Small leap STEP 4: Generate Design Concepts
The environmental impacts associated with everything we create and do are significant and have local as well as global implications. In simple terms, our current patterns of production and consumption are unsustainable, especially if we are concerned about conserving resources for future generations to utilise and enjoy.
Designer: Stephen Mushin, MDIA. Further details of this case study, other case studies and Design for Environment guidelines are available at www.ecorecycle.vic.gov.au. The Battery-less Bikelight concept was developed as part of the Design for Environment program, a collaborative process with designers run by Design Institute of Australia( DIA) – Victorian Chapter, Centre for Design at RMIT University, Product Ecology and EcoRecycle Victoria.
Stephen’s strategy was to improve functionality and durability of the bikelight, aim for 100% recyclability while designing out environmental and waste impacts including toxic substances and recyclability of materials. STEP 3: Select appropriate Design for Environment strategies Mapping the lifecycle showed that the most significant impacts were in manufacture and disposal of batteries to landfill, followed by manufacture of electronic componentry which is resource intensive and uses scarce and hazardous substances. STEP 1 & 2: Map lifecycle and identify most significant impacts
Designer Stephen Mushin set out to design a practical, retro-fitable, self powered bike light that contains no toxic parts, requires next to zero maintenance, is next to indestructible, 100% recyclable and is reasonably priced.
Case Study: Rethinking Bikelights • Use the minimal amount of material necessary e.g. through light-weighting
+ + +
+ + +
+ +
Safe design
+ + +
+
Avoid toxic or hazardous substances in materials or production processes. These can be a risk to the health of workers who make the product, to the consumer who uses it, and to the natural environment that must deal with airborne, waterborne or solid wastes during the lifetime of the product. Design products which:
+ + +
+ + +
+ +
Cyclic design
+
+
+
+
+
+
Design products so materials can be continuously cycled through industrial or natural systems. This avoids waste. Design products which: • Can be reused for their original purpose or an alternative use
+
+ + +
Communication design
Ensure that product-related environmental communication is accurate, relevant, informative and verifiable. Encourage responsible purchasing and consumer behaviour by: • Designing the consumer interface on appliances to encourage the selection of efficient options
dfe strategies
• Use minimal energy in production and use
• Use renewable energy wherever possible • Use minimal water in production and use
• Do not require disposable consumables during use (e.g. filters, cartridges, batteries)
• Can be remanufactured (e.g. electrical and electronic goods, furniture)
• Avoid pigments, inks and dyes that utilise heavy metals (e.g. cadmium, chrome)
• Specify recyclable materials for which there are readily available collection systems
• Avoid processes that generate emissions of volatile organic compounds (e.g. solvent based printing)
• Keep to a minimum the number of different materials and components to assist recycling
• Avoid finishing processes that produce toxic wastes in production (e.g. chrome plating)
• Providing information on appropriate disposal, reuse or recycling options • Using appropriate logos and labels (e.g. polymer identification codes, recycling logos)
• Allow for different materials to be easily separated for recycling • Where appropriate use a biodegradable material (e.g. paper or starchbased polymer)
Design & Production by VIOLA eco-graphic design 03 9654 0402. Printed on Envirocare, 65% post consumer, 35% pre-consumer recycled ECF, EMAS accredited paper with vegetable-based inks and aqueous varnish by an ISO14001 compliant printer.
product lifecycles, efficient, safe, minimal, design for environment reduce, reuse, recycle, smart, future desig product lifecycles, efficient, safe, minimal, reduce, reuse, recycle, smart, future desig product lifecycles, efficient, safe, minimal, reduce, reuse, recycle, smart, future desig A QUICK GUIDE TO O DESIGNING INNOVATIVE INNO TIVE PRODUCTS WITH MINIMAL ENVIRONMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT IMP CT
Step 1: Map the product lifecycle
Map the product lifecycle to understand where environmental impacts occur. This includes impacts during manufacture, use and disposal.
Step 2: Identify the main environmental impacts
Step 3: Select relevant Design for Environment strategies
Identify the main environmental impacts to be addressed during the design process eg. waste, toxicity, energy or water use.
Select DfE strategies that will minimise or eliminate the main impacts. Discuss trade-offs or conflicts with others involved in the production process e.g. marketing, production or compliance. Include selected strategies in the design brief.
Identify where materials and energy are consumed, where wastes and emissions are generated and whether or not they are toxic or hazardous. Quantify where possible. Ask suppliers and other experts for advice if required.
www.ecorecycle.vic.gov.au
Step 4: Generate design concepts
Explore ideas – think laterally about meeting the brief in innovative ways. Can it be achieved in a different way to further reduce environmental impacts? Evaluate concept designs against the environmental requirements in the brief. Identify any necessary trade offs between the most environmentally oriented design option and cost constraints.