The fundamental principles of any responsible and sustainable design are, ultimately, reducing materials and energy consumption, reusing materials, and facilitating future recycling. Ecodesign goes a step further, considering everything from start to finish. All of this aims to reduce the environmental impact of our activities.
In addition to this, there are some principles that sustainable designers follow when conceiving and designing, such as durability, a fundamental criterion for sustainable and long-lasting design. The longer we can use any product, the less impact it will have on the planet.
Another element to consider is multifunctionality , ensuring different uses and lifespans for each design. This also increases its useful life and improves the quality of life for those who use it.
Reducing materials to optimize their use and energy consumption promotes resource protection and reduces emissions.
Disassembly design , which consists of thinking about how to facilitate future recycling, for example, by identifying the different components.
With "monomaterial" and bio-material , making products from a single material that is also biodegradable, manufacturing and future recycling are simplified.
Integrating technology into designs helps to optimize their performance, improving their sustainability.
Similarly, systemic design allows for greater long-term production stability and aims to relate different systems.
What are the best examples of sustainable design?
There are numerous examples today. Some sustainability initiatives worldwide make life easier and improve our planet.
Desolenator water purifier . An efficient, affordable, and eco-friendly design that could provide clean drinking water to nearly 100 million people worldwide. It is portable and solar-powered.
Ghetto Blaster. This invention consists of speakers made from recycled plastic bottles. The company that manufactures them is dedicated to the production of construction materials, and with this design, they wanted to increase their contribution to environmental protection.
Sky System for vertical urban farming . It reduces environmental impact and is an alternative that promotes food security. It is a low-emission system that employs eco-efficient production methods. It minimizes the use of resources such as land, water, and energy. Results: a smaller carbon footprint and fresher food.
Wall coverings and appliances made from orange peels and other organic waste. Ottan Studio also creates various furniture designs.
R ikr, backpacks made from recycled plastic containers . The material used is GT-RK-001, sourced from India, the world's largest producer of plastic waste. Once again, the reduction of polluting plastics serves as inspiration and motivation.
Furniture made from cork , like the Senta stool. This material is highly recyclable and biodegradable, as well as strong and durable.
Jar tops, repurposed kitchen utensils , give second and third lives to often-discarded glass jars. They are lids that transform these jars into jugs, sugar bowls, vinegar cruets, and other items.
Grohe Sense sensor . This device alerts you to the presence of water on surfaces like floors, preventing problems caused by water leaks. Its minimalist design allows it to be placed anywhere.
Tiles made from eggshells by Nature Squared. This ethical design brand aims to make eggs a preferred building material.
The AWA project has designed a detergent tablet that reduces water pollution. It contains a microorganism that generates probiotics that "feed" on the pollutants found in rivers.
Wind Catcher, a portable wind turbine. It's easy to assemble, weighs approximately 10 kilos, and can recharge the batteries of electronic devices such as electric bicycles.
Heatherwick Studio has designed a concept vehicle that, in addition to being pollution-free, protects the planet. This is because it incorporates a HEPA filter that absorbs pollution from other cars.
Xiaomi electric mopeds . This is an affordable alternative that you can recharge at home. A sustainable alternative for urban mobility to reduce the use of other, more polluting vehicles.
Sunlit Days by Cosentino. This is the first carbon-neutral collection. This company manufactures quartz surfaces and other stone variants sustainably.
Chairs printed on 3D printers from waste fibers from palm oil factories by designer Natasa Perckovic. Reducing waste in production processes is vital to limiting pollution.
Restaurant menus created from stone paper. This material is resistant, durable, recyclable, and waterproof. It is made from waste materials and requires no water or cellulose in its production. They are designed to be updated without needing to be discarded.
