Term

Definition

Example

Renewability

The ability to replenish itself and therefore can last indefinitely.

Solar will virtually never run out of energy.

Renewable sources

Natural source that replenishes itself or is inexhaustible (never runs out).

Non-renewable sources

The natural source that does not replenish itself at a sustainable rate (equal to or lower than its extraction).

Fossil fuels like the name suggests are fossils and take millions of years to form, and at the rate that we use them, we’ll run out in less than 100 years.

Resource

Raw material (in natural form)

Oil in the ground; Wind

(Resource) Reserve

The storage of a natural source that can be identified, quantified, and qualified.

Reservoir, battery

Proven - accessible, readily available

Fossil Fuels

Probable - in an experimental state

Solar power, Tidal energies

Design for Manufacturing (DfM)

Designing taking account for assembly. Easing the process of manufacturing to ensure product quality and...

Design for Disassembly (DfD)

Designing for maintenance and disposal. Easing the process of repair and sorting for recycling. Standardization of parts

Process Streamlining

The reduction of manufacturing

Source

Method

Advantages

Disadvantages

Latest Developments

Wind

Through the circular motion created by wind, turbines generate energy

• Can be scaled down for personal use

• Low operational cost

• Varies with wind conditions

• Create noise

• Visual pollution

• High installation cost

New technologies are currently being developed, increasing the efficiency and lowering the cost of wind energy.

Solar

Through photovoltaic cells, the panels capture the energy from solar radiation

• Can be installed for personal use

• No operational costs (in personal use)

• Varies with solar conditions

• Visual pollution

• Farms occupy large areas

In recent years installing shingles (solar roof tiles) has become more accessible and is helping to avoid visual pollution.

Hydro

Through the circular motion created by the flow of water, turbines generate energy.

• Serves as a dam and reservoir

• Can operate 24/7

• Adjusts to demands

• Dependent on water flow (river size/speed)

• High installation costs

• Medium operation costs

Private companies supported by crowdfunding are developing ‘micro’ hydroelectric plants for low-income areas.

Biomass:

Biofuel

Biogas

Through the digestion/ combustion of biowaste, energy is released and captured.

• Mitigates biowaste

• If emissions are countered by the planting of trees, it is renewable

• Adjusts to demands

• Still emits CO₂ into the atmosphere through machinery

• Requires transport of biowaste to the plant

In developing, areas in India businesses such as Husk Power Systems provide farmers with cheap renewable electricity from their rice waste.

Term

Definition

Disadvantages

Example

Dematerialization

The reduction of raw materials and energy used during manufacturing, usage, and waste at disposal.

• Might reduce the quality

• Hight price in short term

Re-Use

Prolonging a product/component’s lifespan by using it for a different or same purpose.

• Quality of products might diminish

• Higher risk of breaking down

Glass jars, plastic water bottles

Repair

Prolonging a product's lifespan by restoring a product back into working condition

Car maintenance,

• Requires additional parts and possibly budget

Recondition

Old parts, old product - by cleaning up the product to the original state

Refurbish

New parts, old product - by repairing and upgrading

Recycling

The process of recovering waste for manufacturing material or energy production.

• Requires precise sorting

Re-engineer

The revision of a traditional design to reduce cost, waste, and improve/increase ease of use, performance, and quality.

• Possibly disabling from the original use

• Loss of original design

Legislation

An incentive to make manufacturers use recycled materials, which prompts the public to recycle.

• Temporary

• External motivation

Installation of wind power in The Netherlands

Technological convergence

The combination of multiple types of technologies into one product to reduce space and resources.

• Increased probability of breaking down

Smartphone - phone, camera, microphone, gaming device, computer...

Eco-labeling

A label that gives information to the consumers about the environmental impacts of the product

• May confuse the customers

Eco Design

Green Design

Clean Technology

Sustainable Design

Designing for the environment, based on materials, energy, and pollutants/waste.

The reduction of impact on nature while in use (incremental).

The reduction of impact during the manufacturing processes.

Total embodied energy, from conceptualization to disposal/regeneration

The focus of environmental issues through:

• Use of recyclable, nonpoluting and nontoxic materials
• Efficiency of product
• Disposal instructions
• Labeling

Ensuring a neutral impact or minimizing negative impacts through:

• Promoting positive impacts

• Conserving natural resources

• Reduction of pollution/waste

• Reducing energy during manufacturing

Increasing

Reducing

• Efficiency of materials and products

• Planned obsolescence

• Display of correct package disposal methods

• Ease of recycling process, through dematerialization

• Damage or pollution for a chosen material

• Long-term harm

• Noise, odor and visual pollution

• Safety hazards

Life Cycle Analysis - taking account the impacts that a product throughout its life. Through planned obsolescence designers attempt to increase longevity and reduce the impact at the disposal stage.

Interpretation

Linear / Cradle to Grave

Circular / Cradle to Cradle

Image

Link

http://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/

Loop

Open loop -

Closed loop -

Advantage

Disadvantage

Interpretation

Cradle to Cradle

Cradle to Grave

Explanation

Take -.

Advantages